Snow always accompanies winter in Santiago and is the most awaited guest in cold months that start in June with first rains. Major ski resorts in Santiago that are located above 2,000 meters turn white and invite all who love skiing and snowboarding adrenaline rush.

If you want to tour the best ski resorts in South America, you should only travel 40 kilometers east of Santiago downtown and enter Andean relief. There emerged most famous ski resorts like Farellones, El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado. All feature hotel facilities, restaurants, equipment leasing, tracks and slopes for all levels, from apprentices to experts who slip "off track".

In full crossing of Los Andes to Argentina, just 164 km northeast of Santiago, is Portillo, most traditional ski resort of South America. It has been a training ground for European and U.S. Olympic teams.

Chances of winter season are not limited to ski or snowboard. Options have become more radical and varied: on snowmobiles can explore large areas, or experience catski, all terrain ski , which has won favor among more experienced athletes. While activity continues to be the most impressive heliski, helicopter transfer option that lead where nature is pure and where very few lucky ones have skied.

How to get there

From Santiago, by car follow Las Condes avenue eastward to take Farellones road, there are 39 km to Farellones village. Then ascending are located El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado. There are transport services, each ski resorts offers this possibility.

To Portillo, take Los Libertadores route north to Los Andes and then 60 route to east (2 hours). There are private transport service from airport in Santiago.

Activities and Attractions

In Farellones there are more than 1,300 skiable hectares, the largest surface for winter sports in Chile. Despite that Farellones is a independent village of El Colorado, a greater capacity ski resort, both came together since many years and it is posible to use more than 77 slopes or tracks  and 20 lifts (chairlifts or drag lifts). El Colorado has one of most modern snowparks in South America and only one illuminated track in Chile.

Farellones began to have some fame in the '30s, when people bought first ski equipment from Switzerland and Norway. The Colorado opened in 1948, generating a ski tradition that welcomes beginners and experts.

Snow season usually begins in June and ends in mid-October, but it is best to check weather conditions each year because season depends on rainfall. But these ski resorts not only live in winter. In summer perform various mountain activities such as mountain biking, canopy tours, trekking, rock or wall climbing , mountainboard, horseback riding and paintball.

To rest, en El Colorado there are comfortable hotels, shelters and apartments. In Farellones a charming hotel and several cabins. It has a wide array of options, from coffee to celebrity chefs delight. Farellones and El Colorado are 32 km from Santiago.

A unique place for skiing and a great Santiago view, is La Parva ski resort located just 50 miles from Santiago downtown. Possesses thirty tracks o slopes.

Located at 2,700 meters, is the only winter resort facing north, so make sure sun on track and is the only one that can slide watching the lights of Santiago or the sunset falling on west.

La Parva has 14 lifts lined up with modern buildings that seem to hang on from its slopes. This winter resort has over a thousand shelters and private condominiums with seven thousand beds available per season for athletes and their families.

It has a ski school, snowboarding and heliski service. Equipment and infrastructure of La Parva ensure quality service in accommodation, food, equipment rentals, ski school and the rest of facilities offered by this resort. In summer La Parva is open and invites  "downhill" specialists to test their skills in mountain biking.

Opened in summer and winter, Valle Nevado is the largest winter resort in southern hemisphere and probably the most modern in Chile and South America. Located just over 3,000 meters and has over 900 hectares of skiable surface on 37 km of tracks.

This mountain resort opened in 1988 and during summer season offers horseback riding, trekking, rappeling, ski lift rides, and more. But winter is when Valle Nevado is even more attractive.

In over thirty tracks for all skiing and snowboarding levels, or more radical alternatives such as heliskiing and  off track skiing. It has a 100 meters long and 50 wide snowboard park.

There are three hotels, dozens of shops, six restaurants, four bars and an international environment in which is common watch international Olympic teams training or people from different continents enjoying Andean mountain. Valle Nevado is 60 km east of Santiago.

Portillo ski resort is located a few kilometers from Cristo Redentor border cross that links Chile with Mendoza, Argentina. 164 km northeast of Santiago and next to del Inca lagoon, Portillo is the oldest winter resort in South America, with a century of tradition. This resort has seen global ski competitions, visited by Kennedy clan, Fidel Castro and preferred by renowned Olympic teams fo training.

It has 19 tracks, which more than 65% is available for advanced skiers and professionals, which has made Portillo a preferred ski resort by those who love snow. Portillo has a series of off-track skiing tours, ideal for elite skiers and snowboarders. Also it has heliski service and long tracks that some professional riders has exceeded 200 km / h.

Besides hotel, are swimming pool with mountain views, jacuzzi, massage, cinema, shops and a clinic. For dining, there are five restaurants ranging from gourmet cuisine to a place with sandwiches and drinks. Portillo is open all year and during summer excursions to mountain.