Snow, the capital's eternal winter companion, is the guest star of the colder months that are heralded by the first rain each June. Chile's major ski resorts, which sit two thousand meters above sea level, get a white makeover and invite skiing and snowboarding fans to join the icy, adrenaline-packed winter party.
If you're interested in skiing South America's best slopes, travel 40 km east of downtown Santiago towards the Andes. Some of the most famous ski resorts quickly come into view as you leave the city, including Farellones, El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado. All of them have hotels, restaurants, equipment rental and ski slopes for everyone from beginners to experts who might even prefer off-piste skiing.
Portillo, one of the Southern Cone's most traditional ski resorts, is located at the Los Andes border crossing only 164 km northeast of Santiago near the Cristo Redentor pass (2,850 m). It has long been a training ground for European and North American Olympic teams.
The options at these resorts go beyond skiing and snowboarding to include both more affordable and more radical activities such as snow motorcycling, catskiing and all-terrain skiing, which has become quite popular among more experienced sports lovers. The most exclusive option remains heliskiing, which involves having a helicopter take you to places where only a lucky few have set foot. Or skied.
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SERVICIO NACIONAL DE TURISMO CHILE
Avenida Providencia 1550, Santiago Chile
Teléfonos: (56+2) 731 8336
Vea la página de Chile en TripAdvisor