Chile Ski Resorts: A Guide to Skiing Near Santiago
If you are considering a skiing holiday in South America, you should consider skiing in Santiago, Chile. World-class ski resorts nestled high in the Andes are only about an hour's drive from the capital. When you descend from the slopes, you'll discover fantastic dining options, retail stores, and a lively city life.
After more than 20 years of skiing Chile, we'll go over the top ski resorts close to Santiago, give expert advice on where to rent or purchase equipment, and our top local picks in this guide.
Ski Resorts in Santiago, Chile
During Chile's ski season, which runs from June to September, there are three ski resorts close to Santiago that are worth seeing. The well-known Tres Valles (Three Valleys) are made up of Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado/Farellones. You can get to any of these ski resorts in 60 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic, road conditions, and your Santiago hotel.
Valle Nevado
Founded in the late 1980s by French entrepreneurs, Valle Nevado is Chile’s most modern ski resort. With over 900 hectares of skiable terrain and a base elevation of 3,000 meters, it offers some of the largest skiable terrain in South America. On a clear day, the views are breathtaking, and the sunsets are unforgettable. Valle Nevado has several hotels, lively après-ski bars, and restaurants catering to both day-trippers and longer-stay guests.
La Parva
La Parva, one of the oldest and most famous ski resorts close to Santiago, is located just a few kilometers before Valle Nevado. It was established soon after World War II and is still a favorite among Santiago's top ski community. La Parva blends history, prestige, and top-notch terrain with world-class skiing, with 15 lifts, and slopes up to 4 kilometers long.
Farellones / El Colorado
El Colorado/Farellones, the nearest ski resort to Santiago, is an excellent option for a short snowy getaway. Often disregarded in favor of Valle Nevado, it conceals some of central Chile's greatest lift-accessible "sidecountry" terrain if you know where to look. With the hamlet of Farellones providing tubing, sledding, and other activities besides skiing, it's also among the most family-friendly choices.
Conclusion
If you're interested in skiing or snowboarding in South America, you should definitely check out the ski resorts in the Santiago, Chile, area. Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado, Farellones make it easy to combine world-class skiing with urban life in a single vacation. Santiago's booming food culture, great shopping, and convenient location make it one of the best ski destinations in the Southern Hemisphere.
Whether you want to explore new slopes, hunt snow, or just have a culturally distinctive ski holiday, Santiago is a fantastic destination. Pack your gear (or get some at Mall Sport), head to the Tres Valles, and be ready for an incredible Chilean skiing adventure.
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