By Ruth Tidy. Photos by Patricia Wit.
Nevados de Chillán is a secluded resort 83Km from Chillán, offering the unique experience of skiing and relaxing in natural hot springs entwined with a whole host of all-day events. This weekend I was privileged to experience the resort as I had been invited to see the band Lemon, a U2 tribute band.
After a comfortable five and a half hour bus journey followed by a scenic transfer up to the resort from Chillán, we arrived at the Hotel Nevados de Chillán, a newly refurbished hotel that has a unique, wonderful, retro feeling and provides all you need to relax, ski and après!
Within five minutes my companions and I planted our stuff down in the warm, comfortable room, and headed for a glass of wine over the inclusive buffet dinner. Dinner offers not only a section of food but also music and our evening began with performances from a saxophone player and a captivating female singer. This was only the beginning of the night’s entertainment as soon we took to the bar for the first of the weekend’s performances from the U2 tribute band.
There was a great atmosphere throughout Lemon’s performance and soon the bar was full, with everyone enjoying the intimate, passionate performance by the band. They played a good selection of songs including One, With or Without you, Where the Streets Have no Name and Sunday Bloody Sunday. It took no time at all for the passion to pass to the crowd and for them to join the singing.
Later when we spoke to the band and asked if he liked performing small gigs he said “I like intimate gigs, without chairs, where I can see that the people feel my passion.” Friday’s performance closed with chants of ‘otra, otra’ from the crowd and the band obligingly sang I Wanna be Sedated. The party was by no means over with a DJ swiftly taking over playing an eclectic mix of reggaeton and Michael Jackson! 
The beauty of Hotel Nevados de Chillán is the intimate, close feeling it provides. From the restaurant staff to the wonderful marketing manager, everyone obviously enjoys working there, which creates a wonderful vibe for your guests.
Saturday was a day of spa treatments for the serene of us and skiing for me. Skiing conditions were ideal with our choice of red slopes near-empty as most people were on the easier slopes honing their newly-acquired winter sports skills. Lemon performed again at lunch, this time up the mountain with the sun shining and the snow glimmering.
We had a quick chat with the band about music and the resort. “Why U2?” I put to him. “Radiohead, for example, are great but don’t create the right atmosphere in a gig,” he said. “I can really connect to the lyrics and music of U2, so they are ideal to play.”
The band often performs at ski resorts and following a bash at Farellones next week are back at Hotel Nevados de Chillán September 10 and 11 and perhaps again for the big celebrations of September 18.
The whole weekend was a fantastic experience and I would recommend Hotel Nevados de Chillán to all as the perfect place for a short break. It’s a great place for everyone with plenty of adventurous and relaxing activities, everything made easy by the friendly staff and a whole calendar of all-day events including live music, races, fancy dress parades and parties.
Next weekend (20 and 21 August) the resort hosts ‘Winter Nights – Peruvian Gastronomy with chef Emilio Peschiera.’ August 22 till 27 is Gay, Lesbian and Friends Week at Nevados de Chillán.
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