The Andes Mountains in central Chile are home to many of the world’s top ski slopes and hordes of international visitors fill the posh resorts surrounding them each winter.
The Chilean Ski season runs from June to October, which is summer in the Northern Hemisphere so many Olympic ski teams make their home here in their off season. Most of the ski areas are located above 3300 meters. Most of the runs are treeless and covered in a deep, dry powder. Snowboarders are allowed on only some of the slopes in most cases.
Skiing began in Chile during the construction of the railroads in the 19th century when English engineers started skiing down the slopes of the mountains when finished with their work for the day. The working class isn’t the typical visitor today. Chile’s ski slopes and resorts tend to be quite expensive and only wealthy Chileans and international visitors make use of the slopes. Most resorts sell packages combining lodging, meals, and lift tickets by the week and they are often out of the range of the typical backpacker unlike the ski resorts of Argentina.
Chile’s Top Ski Resorts
Termas de Chillán - Located 489 kilometers south of Santiago near Concepción, Termas de Chillán is perhaps the best known ski resort outside of Chile and one of the most complete. There are more than 10,000 hectares of terrain, 30 runs, 11 lifts, and the longest run in South America at 13 kilometers. The resort has the most vibrant alpine village atmosphere in Chile with the largest selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. For more information visit: www.termaschillan.cl.
Portillo - Only 3.5 hours from the capital of Santiago in the Aconcagua Valley, Portillo is one of best known and top resorts in Chile and where many visiting Northern Hemisphere ski teams make their off season base. Many world records in speed have been broken at Portillo. The resort sits beside Laguna del Inca, a jaw dropping alpine lake on the Argentine border. Portillo has 17 runs that range in altitude from 2600 to 3300 meters and suitable for all skill levels. Many posh and expensive hotels and restaurants are located within a snowballs throw of Portillo, as well as spas, an ice skating rink, heated outdoor pool, shopping, and a cinema. For more information visit: www.skiportillo.com.
Valle Nevado - Heli skiing is readily available at this very posh resort only 60 kilometeres from Santiago. Valle Nevado has 8 lifts and 27 runs that max out at 3700 meters. The longest run is 3 kilometers in length. The only accommodations near the resort are outrageously pricey cabins and hotels, but most come for the day from Santiago where transport is readily available. For more information visit: www.vallenevado.com.
Osorno - The perfect conical volcano Osorno near Puerto Varas, not far from Puerto Montt and Chiloe in Chile’s Lakes District, is one of the best options for skiing in Chile’s southern districts. There are only four lifts, but the runs are long and varied and the resort can be easily reached by shuttle from Puerto Varas. For more information visit: www.volcanosorno.com.
The Chilean Ski season runs from June to October, which is summer in the Northern Hemisphere so many Olympic ski teams make their home here in their off season. Most of the ski areas are located above 3300 meters. Most of the runs are treeless and covered in a deep, dry powder. Snowboarders are allowed on only some of the slopes in most cases.
Skiing began in Chile during the construction of the railroads in the 19th century when English engineers started skiing down the slopes of the mountains when finished with their work for the day. The working class isn’t the typical visitor today. Chile’s ski slopes and resorts tend to be quite expensive and only wealthy Chileans and international visitors make use of the slopes. Most resorts sell packages combining lodging, meals, and lift tickets by the week and they are often out of the range of the typical backpacker unlike the ski resorts of Argentina.
Chile’s Top Ski Resorts
Termas de Chillán - Located 489 kilometers south of Santiago near Concepción, Termas de Chillán is perhaps the best known ski resort outside of Chile and one of the most complete. There are more than 10,000 hectares of terrain, 30 runs, 11 lifts, and the longest run in South America at 13 kilometers. The resort has the most vibrant alpine village atmosphere in Chile with the largest selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. For more information visit: www.termaschillan.cl.
Portillo - Only 3.5 hours from the capital of Santiago in the Aconcagua Valley, Portillo is one of best known and top resorts in Chile and where many visiting Northern Hemisphere ski teams make their off season base. Many world records in speed have been broken at Portillo. The resort sits beside Laguna del Inca, a jaw dropping alpine lake on the Argentine border. Portillo has 17 runs that range in altitude from 2600 to 3300 meters and suitable for all skill levels. Many posh and expensive hotels and restaurants are located within a snowballs throw of Portillo, as well as spas, an ice skating rink, heated outdoor pool, shopping, and a cinema. For more information visit: www.skiportillo.com.
Valle Nevado - Heli skiing is readily available at this very posh resort only 60 kilometeres from Santiago. Valle Nevado has 8 lifts and 27 runs that max out at 3700 meters. The longest run is 3 kilometers in length. The only accommodations near the resort are outrageously pricey cabins and hotels, but most come for the day from Santiago where transport is readily available. For more information visit: www.vallenevado.com.
Osorno - The perfect conical volcano Osorno near Puerto Varas, not far from Puerto Montt and Chiloe in Chile’s Lakes District, is one of the best options for skiing in Chile’s southern districts. There are only four lifts, but the runs are long and varied and the resort can be easily reached by shuttle from Puerto Varas. For more information visit: www.volcanosorno.com.
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