Skiing in Chile
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Skiing in Chile combines the Andes with a winter season that falls during the European summer. Many well-known resorts are in the Metropolitan Region near Santiago; Portillo lies farther north on the high-altitude route to Paso Los Libertadores. Choosing where to go depends on more than the slopes: accommodation, activities and the mountain roads also vary.
Verschneite Berglandschaft und Skigebiet in Valle Nevado, Chile
Photo: Cesar I. Martins
Quick facts
- The Chilean winter is the usual ski season, coinciding with the European summer months.
- Farellones is 36 kilometers from Santiago and serves as both a mountain village and a gateway to the ski areas of the central zone.
- Valle Nevado has 34 runs and 9,000 hectares of ski terrain; El Colorado has more than 100 runs.
- La Parva combines ski terrain with private residences and views over the Santiago Valley.
- Portillo is located by Laguna del Inca on the Paso Los Libertadores route, and offers a hotel, lodges and chalets.
Five destinations, different strengths
Farellones is a mountain village and a gateway to the ski centers of the central Andes. Its snow park offers sledding and tubing for families who do not want to spend the whole day skiing. This sets the village apart from its neighbors, which focus on larger ski areas.
Valle Nevado’s runs cater to different skill levels. El Colorado stands out for its more than 100 runs, ski schools, accommodations and restaurants. La Parva has a more village-like character: private residences shape its look, alongside a ski school, equipment rental and views of Santiago.
Portillo offers a different kind of trip: the resort is near Paso Los Libertadores and right beside Laguna del Inca. Portillo has 35 runs and 500 hectares of ski terrain; its landmark hotel and ski school sit by the lake. Ski-in/ski-out access lets you reach the slopes directly; accommodation options include the hotel, chalets and lodges. Staying there means lodging right in the high Andes; a day trip from Santiago, on the other hand, involves a longer drive than to the nearby centers. Compare accommodation and stays directly with the operator, Ski Portillo.
Getting there and when to go
Santiago is the main base for the central ski areas. Farellones, Valle Nevado, El Colorado and La Parva are reached by the winding Ruta G-21, also known as Camino a Farellones; journey times depend on traffic and weather. Portillo is reached via Ruta 57 and Ruta 60-CH. In winter, snow chains are mandatory on mountain access roads.
