U.S. Resort Operator to Create Largest Ski Area in South America

The majestic and sprawling Tres Valles region of the Andes—7,000 skiable acres that stretch as far as the eye can see—is home to some of the best skiing on the globe. The region’s three ski resorts of Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado are close enough to ski between but operated by different entities. Until now.

In the coming years two of the three will share an owner. Colorado-based Mountain Capital Partners announced plans to purchase La Parva, making it the company’s second Chilean resort after purchasing a majority stake in Valle Nevado last year. Once the sale is final, the connected ski areas will officially become the largest ski resort south of the equator.

Mountain Capital Partners is a smaller ski area management company that owns nine resorts in the U.S., plus bike park Spider Mountain in Texas. While none are mega resorts like Vail or Aspen, MCP boasts some recognizable destinations, including Colo.’s Purgatory, Utah’s Brian Head, and Ore.’s Willamette Pass, the last added in 2022.

       Summer Skiing, Anyone? 7 South American Resorts That Should Be On Your Bucket List

That’s why it initially seemed a bit of a mismatch when, in January of 2023, the company acquired Valle Nevado, South America’s version of a mega-resort. One of the largest ski areas in the world, Valle Nevado has 2,200 lift-served acres and another 20,000-plus-thousand acres of heli and backcountry terrain set in the dramatic peaks of the Andes. La Parva is no slouch itself, with 14 lifts, and 40 runs across 3,000 feet of vertical. Together, the resorts will offer ski travelers 5,000 lift-served acres, and a combined 30 lifts and 84 named trails.

MCP is still working out the details for capital improvements between La Parva and Valle Nevado but will focus on reinforcing the existing interconnected lift system and creating a world-class skiing experience in the southern hemisphere.

“While there have been many who have said this merger would never happen, there have been visionaries who dreamed about bringing these resorts together, and today, that day has come,” said MCP Managing Partner James Coleman. “Thanks to the incredible support of this community and our team of employees, we’re proud to be the ones to formally join Valle Nevado and La Parva.”

       Related: Learn More About the Power Pass

All of MCP’s ski areas are accessed via the company’s own pass product, the Power Pass, where skiers can choose among four different pass options—from four or 12 days at select resorts to unlimited skiing at all of them. Power Pass skiers get seven days at Valle Nevado for the South American winter that runs from mid-June to September. Further details about La Parva’s Power Pass access are still to be determined.