Ski Destinations

Officially, there are over 15 ski locations in Chile, but only some have the facilities to offer a complete ski package programme and can be called ski centres (or resorts).

Here at ExperienceChile.Org, we will talk about the principal ski centres around Santiago, a couple south of Santiago and then those in the Chilean Lake Region.

Each of these ski resorts offers a variety of snow-skiing options for all levels and styles of skier as well as a different environment. But we should also add that at the southern tip of mainland Chile is Punta Arenas, where there is also snow skiing, however, we will not be presenting this as one of the options because it is relatively small in area and a long way to go.

Introduction

Portillo ski centre is one of the oldest ski centres in South America with a fascinating family history behind its development. It comprises one large hotel (painted yellow on the exterior) with a capacity for 400 guests.

Ski Area

The ski area includes 23 pisted runs as well as almost limitless off-piste areas, accessible with the resort helicopter. It also has the two fastest and steepest uphill drag lifts in the world.

However, there is also ski school and moderate runs for those who are not yet in the powder league.

This is a good place for expert, middle-level and beginner skiers as well as “cozy”, relaxing, “Apres” ski within the main hotel where there is a nice restaurant, bar, cinema, outdoor heated pool and night club, together with a mountain bar cafeteria on the slopes called “Tio Bob’s”.

The hotel is based at an altitude of 2,880m above sea level, in the base of a bowl, surrounded by mountains and beside a lake (Lago del Inca).

Getting Here

It is located by the Chilean border into Argentina 61km east from the town of Los Andes, which is itself 78km northeast of Santiago, therefore total distance from Santiago is 139km. The drive time from Santiago is just over 2hrs.

Portillo Ski Accommodation

There is one hotel at Portillo, which is the hotel Portillo, and this is the place for all accommodation here. For many South American families that stay at Portillo it is like a “ritual” whereupon they return year after year, even when there is not so much snow.

ExperienceChile.Org is able to arrange all-inclusive ski weeks at Portillo, including transfers in and out from Santiago airport or your hotel in Santiago, just ask.

For much more information about Portillo please click the link through to our Portillo page.

Introduction

This ski centre is primarily a residential village, similar to the style of villages found in some areas of the Alps and predominately for on piste skiing, although there is back country skiing too. Located directly east from Santiago city, La Parva is a favourite for Chileans who have apartments here as well as day skiers coming up from Santiago. Unbelievably, on a clear day the distinct diamond shape of the village on the mountain side, and the glint of reflecting sunlight on the windows of buildings can be seen from Santiago city, which is around 30km away in a direct line, but 48km away in road distance.

The altitude of the village is at 2,750m above sea level, rising to 3,630 at the top of the highest piste.

Ski Area

La Parva, has its own 21 pisted trails offering 38km of skiing. It is also part of the “Three Valleys” ski area comprising La Parva, El Colorado (5km away) and Valle Nevado (which is in the adjacent valley), opening up an extensive 100km network of groomed ski trails.

Getting Here

The mountain road up to La Parva starts at the eastern end of the Las Condes district in Santiago and continues in an upward direction, around numerous curves until reaching a junction whereupon turning left leads to La Parva and turning right leads to Valle Nevado.

La Parva is about 48km by road from Las Condes and it will take around 1.5hrs to get here allowing for traffic and navigating all the curves.

Note: The road leading up to La Parva, El Colorado, Farellones and Valle Nevado has restrictions of direction.

On Weekends, and public holidays it is one way only going up between 08:00hrs to 14:00hrs.

Then it is one way only coming down between 16:00hrs and 20:00hrs.

There are fines if you are caught going in the wrong direction at the wrong time, as well as it being dangerous.

La Parva Ski Accommodation

Accommodation here is only by way of booking a self-catering, furnished apartment, which ExperienceChile.Org can arrange for you, or, alternatively, staying in Santiago city and coming up here for day skiing, which we can also arrange for you.

For much more information about Portillo please click the link through to our Portillo page.

Introduction

El Colorado is known to be the first place where a ski lift was installed in Chile, in 1936 and is almost adjacent to Farellones, which is only 5km down the road and a little lower in altitude (where the ski base area is located).

Ski Area

The two ski areas of El Colorado and Farellones combined offer 40km of skiable runs spread around 22 pistes.

The base of the El Colorado ski lift is at 2,430m rising to 3,333m above sea level at the highest lift. By road it is 39km from the eastern Santiago district of Las Condes.

Frequented by young skiers, especially snowboarders, it is also part of the “three Valleys” network linking together the ski valleys, and therefore linking up with the ski areas of La Parva and Valle Nevado offering a combined 100km of groomed pistes.

Getting Here

The mountain road up to both Farellones and El Colorado starts at the eastern end of the Las Condes district in Santiago and continues in an upward direction, around numerous curves until reaching a junction that is effectively the start of Farellones village and turning left leads to La Parva, El Colorado and turning right leads to Valle Nevado.

Farellones is about 35km by road from the Las Condes district of Santiago, and El Colorado a further 5km along. It will take around 1.5hrs to get here from Las Condes, allowing for traffic and navigating all the curves.

Note: The road leading up to La Parva, El Colorado, Farellones and Valle Nevado has restrictions of direction.

On Weekends, and public holidays it is one way only going up between 08:00hrs to 14:00hrs.

Then it is one way only coming down between 16:00hrs and 20:00hrs.

There are fines if you are caught going in the wrong direction at the wrong time, as well as it being dangerous.

El Colorado and Farellones Ski Accommodation

Similar to La Parva, the accommodation at El Colorado is primarily private apartments, however, for Farellones there are a couple of small hotels as well.

For much more information about El Colorado and Farellones please click the link here.

Introduction

Valley Nevado has a great reputation for power, off-piste skiing as well as stupendous views over the Andean Mountain peaks. The name Valle Nevado is very appropriate for this ski centre because its base location is at a height of 2,860m rising up to 3,670m above sea level in the heart of the Andes Mountains, and it is also in a bowl that protects it from getting too much sun, which makes it more likely that there will be snow almost every year during the winter months of June, July and August as well as snow that lasts longer here than at La Parva, El Colorado and Farellones because they are all exposed more to the sun.

Today, Valle Nevado, which opened in 1988, is considered the best ski centre in the Southern Hemisphere, offering a complete ski experience package combination of various hotel levels, restaurants, pisted ski runs; off-piste, powder skiing, and helicopter skiing, snow-board parks and ski competitions. Indeed, Valle Nevado is often the place where Northern-Hemisphere national ski teams come to practice when it is summertime in the northern hemisphere.

The actual complex sits on a small plateau beside an almost vertical mountain ledge at a height just short of 3,000m above sea level.

Ski Area

The skiable, pisted area offers 37km of trails as well as vast expanses of virgin powder (after a good snow dump).

In addition, Valle Nevado is part of the “Three Valleys” linked ski valley system linking La Parva and El Colorado ski valleys, offering over 10,000 hectares of skiable area and a combined 100km of groomed ski runs.

Also in the central complex is a ski rental shop, restaurants, bars, a night club and outdoor hot tub.

Getting Here

The access road to Valle Nevado is the same road that begins from the Santiago eastern suburb of Las Condes and heads up the mountain leading to Farellones, whereupon the road forks left to get to Farellones, El Colorado and La Parva, and forks right to continue on to Valle Nevado.

The road distance from Las Condes to Valle Nevado is 46km (therefore it is a further 24km along, and up the mountain, than Farellones) and will take about 1.5hrs to drive from Las Condes.

Note: The road leading up to La Parva, El Colorado, Farellones and Valle Nevado has restrictions of direction.

On Weekends, and public holidays it is one way only going up between 08:00hrs to 14:00hrs.

Then it is one way only coming down between 16:00hrs and 20:00hrs.

There are fines if you are caught going in the wrong direction at the wrong time, as well as it being dangerous.

Helicopter
However, there is also an option to fly in from Santiago by helicopter, which takes 15 minutes and offers incredible panoramic views over the Andes.

Valle Nevado Ski Accommodation

There is one, central main building at Valle Nevado, plus separate blocks that house private apartments. In the central building there are three hotels, each one designed to offer a different level of comfort and facilities, ranging from a higher level to mid-level to simple level, therefore catering to people of different ages, tastes and budgets.

ExperienceChile.Org is at your service to arrange a ski program for you at Valle Nevado that will include in and out transfers (can be from the airport), or by helicopter, accommodation, ski lift tickets, equipment rental (if required) and accommodation. Just let us know.

For much more information about Valle Nevado please click the link through to our Valle Nevado page.

Introduction

Puma Lodge is not so much a “ski centre”, but a 24-guest room mountain lodge retreat, plus two apartments, set on its own in the heart of the Andes. At Puma Lodge there are no groomed pistes, moreover, after a good snow fall this is a place for those who enjoy off-piste, helicopter skiing. Puma Lodge claims to be the largest, private heliski centre in Chile. There are some nearby glaciers too, therefore offering a high possibility of skiing (helicopter access) in the winter months.

The emphasis here is that this is a high-level mountain lodge offering a retreat in the Andes with services and facilities including horse riding, trekking, hot tubs, swimming pool, spa, gym, games room, restaurant with wine cellar and comfortable rooms.

Puma Lodge is located in a remote area in the Andes at a place more or less in line with Rancagua, which is 84km south of Santiago along the main Ruta 5 Panamerican Highway, but about 42km by road, up in the Andes, east from Rancagua. From Rancagua the access road heads up the Andes to a village called Coya, which is 12km away, as well as past the Termas de Cauquenes hot springs hotel, and then along very narrow mountain roads that require a high base 4 x 4 vehicle (with snow chains in the winter) in order to navigate the rough terrain. The lodge is approximately 30km from Coya and located almost next to the Reserva Rio de Los Cipres and a “stone’s throw” from the Argentine border. The drive time from the Las Condes area of Santiago is around 2.5hrs.

One of the benefits to coming to Puma Lodge is that is you are unable to ski due to lack of snow, you can fully enjoy a stay in the heart of the Andes Mountains and enjoy a full “mountain experience”.

For much more information about Puma Lodge please click the link through to our Puma Lodge page.

Introduction

Now called Nevados de Chillan, the skiing here is suitable for expert, intermediate and beginners.

Among the facilities is a snowboard park, Nordic skiing track, snowmobile and dog sleigh rides. In addition, the main hotel at the base of the last run down, is a thermal springs spa centre and therefore offers hot springs too.

One of the attractive things about Nevados de Chillan is that it is an Alpine-style ski resort with wooded areas that offer above and below the tree line skiing. Chillan offers plenty of pisted trails (one run is 13km long) and back-country, powder skiing as well as other facilities such as hot springs, swimming pools, snow mobiles and even dog-sleigh rides. 

Ski Area

There are 28 pisted ski runs and over 35km of trails, as well as back country and powder skiing. The hotel at the base of the groomed runs is at 1,100m, with the highest run is at 2,500m above sea level.

How to Get Here

The ski area at Chillan is located on the side of a volcano and is located 80km east of Chillan city, which is 404km south from Santiago on the main Ruta 5 Panamerican Highway. Therefore, the Chillan ski centre, now called Nevados de Chillan, is 485km, by road from Santiago. The drive time from Santiago is usually around 6hrs.

Alternatively, it is possible to fly down to Concepcion, which is 184km west of Nevados de Chillan. Concepcion is only a 1hr flight from Santiago, followed by a 2hr transfer to the ski centre, plus pre-check-in time at Santiago airport and arrival time at Concepcion, total time around 4hrs.

For much more information about Nevados de Chillan please click the link through to our Nevados de Chillan page.

Introduction

Corralco is special place because it is located within an Araucania forest (monkey puzzle trees) and on the side of the Lonquimay Volcano (2,890m), all within the beautiful Reserva Nacional Malalcahuello adjacent to another natural reserve, the the Reserva Nacional Nalcas.

Ski Area

The base of the ski area, where the one and only hotel is located, is at 1,440m above sea level, with the highest ski point at 2,865m. Corralco offers more than 1,800 hectares of skiable terrain, both pisted and off-piste with an average snow dump of 9 metres each year. Also, because it is much further south than the ski valleys around Santiago, the snow and cold period lasts longer here, often enabling a ski season from mid-June to mid-September. There are 29 groomed pistes, plus off-piste zones.

Corralco is suitable for expert, intermediate and beginner skiers. Apart from the pisted slopes, there is a snow park covering 25m2 for snowboarders and trick skiers alike.

Further up the mountain, from the Corralco hotel is an area the other side of the volcano that offers a fantastic, panoramic sight over the Andes and ten other volcanic peaks as well a view of a dried lava river that came out of the Lonquimay volcano eruption on the 25 of December 1988.

How to Get Here

The Chilean Lake Region begins at a point close to Temuco, which is 676km south of Santiago on the main Ruta 5, Panamerican Highway. However, shortly before arriving to Temuco is a small village called Victoria 611km south of Santiago (therefore 65km north of Temuco), and from Victoria, heading east, towards the Andes and the village of Curacautin 53km, and then Lonquimay (but you do not want to arrive to Lonquimay) there will be the turn off left at a point 30km past Curacautin that leads up to the Corralco ski centre, which is 8km from this turn off. Driving the total distance of 702km from Santiago will take around 8hrs or so.

Alternatively, a flight from Santiago to Temuco takes just over 1hr and from here it is 1.5hrs to Corralco by road.

Here at ExperienceChile.Org we will be pleased to make all the travel arrangements as well as the stay at the hotel at Corralco. Just ask.

Introduction

Pucon is a popular lake-side village in the summer months, however, in the winter the cone of the dominant Villarrica volcano is covered in snow upon which there are ski lifts.

The area around Pucon is one of outstanding natural beauty and among the many activities on offer are: visits to volcanic caves, rafting in the Trancura river, expeditions to the top of the Villarrica Volcano, fly fishing, horseback riding excursions, bicycle excursions across mountains and forests, visits to hot spring pools, waterfalls and lakes as well as skiing.

Ski Area

The skiing here is limited in terms of pistes, but exciting because of the fact that it is on the side of an active volcano. On a clear day there are superb views over the lakes and mountain peaks in the distance. The natural beauty of the area is stunning and after a hard day on the slopes, the many thermal hot springs in the area offer a unique way to relax.

There are 9 ski lifts and 20 pisted trails for all levels of skier.

How to Get Here

Pucon village is 781km south of Santiago taking the main Ruta 5 Panamerican Highway to Temuco, and shortly past Temuco, turning off to Villarrica, which is at the western end of Lake Villarrica, and then following the southern lake-side road to Pucon.
However, a few kms before arriving to Pucon is a turn off right that takes you up the side of the Villarrica Volcano into the Villarrica National Park, and to the ski centre.

Alternatively, you can fly to Temuco, which is just over 1hr from Santiago, and from here the road transfer will take about 1hr to get to Pucon.

Accommodation

There is no accommodation at the ski area, therefore when coming to Pucon you need to stay in accommodation in the village, or close to the village. There are many options, but here at ExperienceChile.Org we will be pleased to arrange for you flights, transfers and accommodation at any of our accommodation partners for the Pucon area.