TRAVEL AND TOURS

You are surrounded by snow, as you plunge down the shining white slope. Then you will feel the icy wind leaking your face while adrenalin feels your body, banishing any fears or qualms. You feel absolutely free. You have converted to the "snow sport". This incredible experience, once reserved for Nordic countries, can also be practiced in the vicinity of Santiago, Chile's capital city that, with its over 4,000 kms of Cordillera, offers prime skiing runs, that are the very best in South America.

The main skiing sites are to be found in the central Cordillera of the Andes, only a few kms from Santiago. The runs are in beautiful surroundings, between 2,400 and 3,300 m,a.s.l., and, as they offer easy access and every possible facility.

On the "snow circuit" there are over 20 runs prepared to offer extreme thrills. Apart from skiing one can practice snowboarding, heliskiing and helisurfing. The season extends from mid-June to mid-October.

You can´t avoid to plunge down the snow. Whether you spend an afternoon, a day or a week, it will always remain in your memory. Whether you are an expert or a tyro, there is a place for everyone. You can even get a diploma in a ski school, learning the secrets of this thrilling and freezing sport.

These are main Ski Resorts in the country:

Valle Nevado: (Snow Valley) It is located only 60 km from Santiago, in the Andes Mountain range. Has 3 Luxury Hotels and Apartments and installations with 29 ski runs. Together with the nearby Ski Resorts of La Parva and El Colorado, they make the biggest skiing area in all of Chile, with excellent snow conditions.

La Parva : A Mountain village located 38 kms from Santiago, comprises 30 excellent runs, lodgings in small hotels, rental apartments and shelters. It has all the services for visitors: restaurants, ski school, coffee shop, equipment rentals, parking places, discotheques and a medical clinic. You will also gain access to the nearby Valle Nevado ski runs.

El Colorado and Farellones: situated at 32 kms from Santiago, these two villages, El Colorado and Farellones have a 40 Km ski terrain to put at your disposal, with 22 cable ski lifts. In the villages you will find small hotels, apartment rentals, restaurants, ski schools, equipment rentals, pubs, discotheques and everything a traveller might need. By the purchase of a special ticket you will have access to Valle Nevado ski runs.

Portillo: It is situated at 149 kms from Santiago on the International Route to Mendoza (Argentina). Portillo is one of the most famous winter and ski resorts in South America and boasts of having hosted a Ski World Championship, when Its runs saw the breaking of a world speed ski record. The fine powder snow of this resort is its characteristic. No to mention its excellent runs, its unequalled high mountain landscape and its beautiful lake called Inca. It has a luxury hotel, the Hotel Portillo, capable of taking 500 guests. The hotel has all the amenities of a luxury hotel, a heated swimming pool, restaurants, ski schools and equipment rentals.

The Termas de Chillán Hot Springs: Located in the Andes Mountain range at 400 kms South of Santiago and 87 from Chillán. At the foothills of the Chillán Volcano, its ski runs run in native forests. It is a very attractive ski resorts with the best hotel infrastructure possible. It has luxury hotels, apartment rentals, and a hot springs thermal Spa. Its 28 ski runs and 9 cable ski lifts are set in the beautiful sight of native forests.

The Villarrica Volcano Ski Resort: Located at 18 kms from Pucón in Southern Chile, inside the Villarrica's National Park. Its ski runs are located at the foot of the Volcano with a stunning view of the Villarrica Lake. It has 9 cable ski lifts, restaurants, bar, ski school, ski and snowboard rentals, post, clinic, cocoa shop in the shelter and coffee service.
There are lodgings to be found in Pucón and the surrounding areas. This resort has the advantage of being located in one of the touristiest areas of Chile.