Ski Centers
Chile
El Portillo
In 2024, El Portillo will celebrate 75 years in Chile making the Ski center the oldest and one of the most prestigious ski resorts in South America! The main base of the ski center is located at 2,850m above sea level. You can get to Portillo as you go along the international highway connecting Santiago in Chile with Mendoza in Argentina and it is only about two and a half hours from Santiago. The highest mountain of the Western Hemisphere, Mount Aconcagua, is next to the resort.
The Hotel and ski area are located around the beautiful Inca Lagoon where a magnificent view allows for a relaxing ski experience. The guests of El Portillo come from all around the world. The Hotel is the only one of its kind since the 400 guests have all the facilities and ski runs reserved only for their private use. There is a weekly program for guests arriving every Saturday, from June to October, and leaving the following Saturday after having enjoyed a full week of activities and skiing.
El Portillo's ski school is one of the best in the world. The team of ski instructors is formed by a select group of accredited trainers and professional guides with ample international experience. To take classes at this legendary ski school is an important element of a wonderful and unforgettable vacation in El Portillo. The Restaurant, Tio Bob's, is located at the top of the mountain and is a common meeting place where the skiers have lunch while they contemplate and enjoy the incomparable beauty of the Inca Lagoon and the Andes mountains. Guests can also take a dip in the heated swimming pool (surrounded by snow in winter), listen to live music in the bar every night or take advantage of the facilities offered by the hotel. The gym, weight room, aerobic gym, cyber café, and massage spa, are added bonuses to the skiing.
Valle Nevado
With more than 23,000 acres of ski territory, Valle Nevado is the largest winter center in the Southern hemisphere. You will be able to explore a world of skiing adventure with specially prepared runs set on a spectacular Andean backdrop. For expert skiers looking for a once in a life time adventure, Valle Nevado offers the opportunity to heli-snowboard or heli-ski. The helicopter will drop you off in virgin snow, where you can ski in one of the greatest conditions being the first person to break through the fresh powder. Take advantage of this unforgettable experience!
The ski center is one of the most popular locations to visit while in Chile and is open all year long (though not always for skiing). The Valle Nevado hotel, with its refined style, offers 53 spacious rooms with a spectacular panoramic view of the mountain range in addition to a pleasant heated swimming pool and a modern fitness center. The restaurant, the Fourchette D'or, is arranged to receive guests with a variety of flavors and aromas to be savored any hour of the day.
El Colorado
Located in the beautiful Andes Mountains, El Colorado Ski Centre is only 38km or approximately an hour from Santiago by paved road. The center has transformed into the ideal center for skiing in Chile for families and youth each winter since unlike many other ski resorts, El Colorado offers a large number of runs devoted to beginners. El Colorado has 40km of land for skiing, with 22 runs: 11 for beginners, 4 intermediate, 3 advanced and 4 for experts, the longest run being 4.3km. All runs are maintained with modern snow equipment and the center uses 19 chair lifts / pommels, two double seats, three triple seats, and 12 pommel cables with two exclusively for children.
La Parva
La Parva ski resort is located just 38km outside of Santiago on the way to Farellones. La Parva has a beautiful view of the valley of Santiago. It has the largest population of skiers living on-site in private apartments during the ski season. Like other centers, guests can practice not only skiing and snowboarding, but also heli-ski and heli-snowboard, where extreme skiers can be dropped off in a helicopter to experience untouched powder away from the crowds.
There is international cuisine from la Marmita de Pericles restaurant and bar. For casual dining on the slopes venture over to the Golondrina Snack shop which offers sandwiches, soup, plates, and drinks located in the Golondrina Sector. At the top of the Alpha ski lifts is Restaurant 3100, where you can find sandwiches, beer and drinks. At the base of the hill in Villa la Parva are all the services that guests require: lodging, restaurants, the ski school, bars, transportation headquarters, a cafeteria, dance club, clinic and parking. La Parva offers 38km of accessible ski area distributed over 30 runs.
On the way to Farellones: between 8am and 2pm, traffic may only ascend the mountain and between 2pm and 8pm, cars and buses may descend. Occasionally chains are required for all vehicles on the mountain, and can be rented on location.
Termas de Chillán
This ski center has 28 equipped ski runs totaling 35km and by a triple chair lift, 3 double chairlifts and 5 pommels you will be able to ascend to the top of each of these runs. There you can ski or snowboard the longest ski run in South America, called Las Tres Marias (The Three Marys).
30% of the courses are for beginners, 40% for medium level and the remaining 30% is designated for experts skiers who love a challenge. One of the ski resort's greatest attributes is the abundance of trees, a rarity in South American ski resorts. For guests looking to rent ski equipment, there are three different options available next to the mountain at the Gran Hotel, Hotel Pirigallo or the Customer Service center in which equipment for all levels can be found both for children as well as adults.
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