If you’re a backpacker aged 18 to 35, this article is for you. Discover how to enjoy an unforgettable experience gliding through the snow, exploring places like Valle Nevado and Portillo, all while staying in the best youth-friendly hostels in Santiago.
Chile is a country known for its stunning natural beauty and world-class skiing. With the Andes Mountains stretching along its eastern border, Chile is a prime destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Luckily, there’s something for everyone at Santiago’s ski resorts, and we have the run-down on each and every one of them!
Why Choose Chile for Winter Sports?
When you think of skiing and snowboarding destinations, your mind might go to the European Alps or North America’s Rockies. However, Chile is becoming a must-visit spot for snow lovers. With a winter season running from June to September, Chilean slopes offer exceptional snow quality, breathtaking landscapes, and options for all skill levels, from beginners to pros.Firstly, winter in Chile falls during summer in the United States, making it a great excuse to escape the balmy summer heat and enjoy some chilly Chilean thrills. Also, the proximity of the ski resorts to Santiago makes it easy to plan additional activities in and around Santiago during your trip. You can do city tours, visit world-class museums, experience seasonal cuisine at Santiago’s many top-rated restaurant, go wine-tasting in the nearby wine valleys, visit the UNESCO-certified city of Valparaiso, and much more.
When to Go Snowboarding in Chile
Welcome to the Southern Hemisphere, where the snowboard season in Chile runs from mid-June into October. On some big winters, especially during a strong El Niño cycle, the season can open in mid-May, building bases well into late October. In fact the 2023 season lasted into November!
Read also: Snowboarding in Chile: Your Guide
The ski season in Chile starts in late June and generally ends in September, but some resorts stay open into early or mid-October. The best time to go is in July, as it’s the height of the season and you’re most likely to have the most snow and best weather conditions.
The most snowfall generally falls in July and August.
The best time to ski in Chile depends on the type of holiday you want. July and August offer the most reliable snowfall, especially at high-altitude resorts like Portillo, which sits at 2,880 meters (9,450 feet), whereas September offers spring conditions, known for warmer temperatures and spring skiing on softer, spring snow. If you’re looking for the sweet spot between great snow and lively energy on the mountain, July or August are good options.
Chile Ski Season - Your Questions Answered
* When does the ski season start and end in Chile? The Chile ski season usually begins in mid to late June and runs through early October, depending on snow conditions each year.* Does Chile offer summer skiing? Yes! Because Chile is in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile’s ski season occurs during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. This makes it a top destination for summer skiing from June to September, with prime conditions in July and August.* What is the snow like during the Chile ski season? Snow in the Chilean Andes is typically dry and powdery, especially in July and August. Early June can see lighter coverage, while September may bring spring conditions-warmer weather with soft snow, great for families or relaxed skiers.* Is skiing in Chile in July a good idea? Yes! July is one of the best months to ski in Chile, with consistent snowfall and well-groomed slopes. It’s also the peak of the season, so booking accommodations and lessons in advance is recommended.* How does summer skiing at Portillo compare to Northern Hemisphere winters? Skiing in Chile during July‑August delivers reliable powder, sunny blue skies, and intense storm cycles-not unlike February back home.Monthly Snow Conditions
* June: Known for the start of the Chile ski season, June brings the first snowfall, and there may be early ski season conditions. Comparable to December in the US, June is known for skiing on a combination of man-made snow and natural snowfall. June is the opportunity for eager skiers to get back on the slopes while taking advantage of low season rates.* July: July is the peak of the winter in Chile. ski resorts, but without the below freezing cold temperatures. Families from the southern part of South America are regulars during their winter breaks, and families from the US looking to ski in summer visit for youth race camp, family bonding time, and the chance for kids to make friends from around the world on the slopes and in lessons.* August: A favorite to many, August is known for the most predictable Chile snow conditions on top of a solid snow base. During this month Portillo receives snowfall in heavy storm cycles followed by bluebird days. Similar to February in the U.S, during August, guests may enjoy fresh snow with sunshine and blue skies. It is also when groups of friends, singles and professional skiers from North America flock south for skiing. Theme weeks like Friends week and Wine Week bring apres-ski events that are perfect for mingling and making new friends.* September: The Chilean national holiday takes place on the 18th of September, and it’s a tradition for many Chileans to ski that week. It is also the start of spring conditions, known for warmer temperatures and spring skiing on softer, spring snow. Compared to March in the USA, September brings spring break for Chileans and many fun traditions, food and parties around the national holiday. It is a great time to visit for those looking for spring skiing under the Portillo sun with a full experience of the local culture.Top Chile Resorts For Snowboarders
Here we’ll cover 7 of the best snowboarding destinations (hand selected from all the Chile ski resorts) in the mighty Chilean Andes. Let’s start in the deep south, known for mystical smoking volcanoes drenched with a deep snowpack and fun natural terrain carved by ancient lava flow. Then we will start working our way back north towards the central resorts above Santiago…Snowboarding Volcanoes: Welcome to Pucon
Pucon is a small southern town with wild bars and one of the most famous active volcanos known to the snowboard universe. Arriving into this village you’ll be blown away with the Villarrica volcano that will dominate practically every vista from town…that is when the sun is out. Climbing via hiking or splitboarding the volcano to get to the active, belching crater is an undeniable reason to fly halfway around the world. You can stand on the rim of the volcano and see Argentina and a handful of other massive volcanoes including Lanin, Mocho, Lonquimay, and more.If you are looking for suggestions on where to snowboard in September, this is probably the spot along with Corralco and Chillan. September = weather and a good mix of spring and winter snow conditions. The best month for guided backcountry snowboarding trips.
Come to snowboard Pucón for the crater, but if you don’t get that, you’re guaranteed for a great party in this mountain town.
Read also: In-Depth Sundance Snowboarding
Volcano Top Snowboarding in Chile
Snowboarding Corralco on Volcano Lonquimay
Corralco Resort - It’s the old spot with a new jam! Sure the lifts are kinda slow and there isn’t much of a town (although this is quickly changing), but this is what makes it awesome. Endless splitboarding options and one of the only places in the world to snowboard in an Araucaria forest (Monkey Puzzle trees) and summit a volcano the same day. The volcano Lonquimay is also the hotspot for snowmobile accessed snowboarding in Chile. Come to Corralco and get on the short list of people that are in the know. It’s only a matter of time before Corralco is on the radar as one of the top Chile snowboard destinations.Nevados de Chillan: A Snowboarding Paradise?
When asked where to snowboard in the summer, we usually point them to The Nevados de Chillán resort area, located 5 hours south of Santiago via train or car or via a short flight to Concepcion. It is well worth the journey from the northern resorts. If you are going to snowboard Chile, you cannot miss Nevados. The historic Valle las Trancas used to be a (literally) guarded-by-gate outlaw’s haven. There used to be only a clandestine casino on the flanks of the active volcano; a volcano that just happened to have amazing, light and dry powder and fun tree riding.Nevados de Chillán and the Las Trancas valley has since evolved into an adventure tourist’s paradise. With lifts taking you right up to the base of the volcanos, some people say it is like snow surfing on the moon. Epic views, natural lava-tube halfpipes, buffed out wind lips, and splitboard touring options for days. You can get even get some urban snowboarding in as the hotel is quite liberal when it comes to using their hotel for rails, etc.
If we had to choose one place to go splitboarding in Chile, that is accessed via a ski resort, this is the spot.
Snowboarding Santiago’s Tres Valles
Chile’s Tres Valles (Three Valleys) area towers above Santiago. If you are searching for snowboarding near Santiago, these three resorts are the closest to the city and airport. Within 45 minutes from touching down on Andean soil, only the looming 75 hairpin turns separate you from forgetting all the woes of airline travel. A high alpine freeride paradise awaits you in the form of three awesome snowboard destinations: La Parva, El Colorado, and Valle Nevado.La Parva
La Parva, known for its backcountry access and historic zones like “McConkeys” and “La Chiminea” has plenty for everyone: playful terrain, fun groomers, and the options to hike or split board, getting you much, much steeper. This resort is all about the backcountry snowboarding access via the lifts. If you have a splitboard, you can get way out there to some world class lines. Just be prepared, the altitude can be tough to deal with until you are acclimated.El Colorado
The neighboring resort is El Colorado. It’s the closest resort to the town of Farrellones, the village that you’ll most likely call home while visiting this triple-threat mecca of shredding. El Colorado is home to access point of the backcountry area known as Santa Teresita. Amazing pure powder fall-lines, cliffs and some of the best chairlift/road accessed backcountry in South America.Valle Nevado
The all time famous resort, Valle Nevado is the final link. One of the most well known centers in South America with its full modern services, snowboard terrain park and the option of heli-boarding to some of the best terrain in the Andes. A splitboard will get you deep into the high Andes as well, but be prepared for some long approaches. The rewards are there however, as the descents are some of the best in central Chile.Snowboarding in Portillo, Chile
You could debate on whether or not Portillo should be on this list. After all it is a skiers mountain. Always has been and always will be. Some snowboarders hate it, but others love it. If you are a beginner or intermediate this is a great resort due to the wide open and well maintained slopes. You can quickly jump off the trail for some fun powder turns before getting back to the groomers. Experts with good mountain sense and a hunger for adventure will also love Portillo. For the hiking access to some seriously steep terrain and cliff drops. Just be prepared for some exposed traverses.Located in the same Andean sub-range as South America’s tallest peak, Aconcagua, the Laguna del Inca has got to be, hands down, one of the most beautiful backdrops you can imagine. It’s practically distracting while you’re trying negotiate the area’s steep runs. This is the area’s best feature. Unobstructed steep and steeper fall lines.
Detailed Ski Resort Information
There are several big ski resorts located near Santiago: Portillo, La Parva, Valle Nevado and El Colorado. The question of which is best really depends on what kind of ski vacation and experience you’re looking for.Here we break down the top Chile skiing resorts along with a map and highlights of each ski area. We provide a link to each ski center’s destination guide so you can dive deeper into researching the resort in greater detail before booking your ski vacation to Chile.
Portillo
Located in the Aconcagua Valley about two hours northeast of Santiago (roughly 102 miles), not only is Portillo where pro alpine skiers come out to play and practice, but the resort itself is well worth the visit. Perched on the edge of a high mountain lake that’s said to be the resting place of an Inca princess, the blocky hotel’s sunshine-yellow exterior shines like a beacon out over the landscape of white snow and black rocks. Although Portillo has an international reputation for its expert-level slopes where champs train for events like the World Cup, Portillo is also an ideal spot for a family vacation. There are beginner slopes for young children or those without much experience, and classes are available. Stats include a vertical drop of 2,500 feet, and 35 runs serviced by 14 lifts.
There are groomed or off-piste runs (which are accessible weather and avalanche risk permitting), and for the real thrill-seekers, heli-skiing is also available to airlift you to the tippy top of sheer peaks for epic downhill runs. Other services include ski-in/ski-out to the main hotel and rental lodgings, equipment rental, on-site restaurants and bars for apres-ski cocktails and fine dining, a gym, daycare center, a medical center, spa with massage and sauna, entertainment options, photo service (to snap those epic pics of you shredding down the slopes!), and yoga room.
Read also: Types of Snowboarding Jumps
Hotel Portillo has rooms, suites, and family apartments with views of the Inca Lake or the mountains/valleys. The Chalets are charming cabins located only a short walk away from the hotel that are perfect for small groups of friends. The Octagon Lodge is a more economic option with bunk-style rooms with private bathrooms, and the Inca Lodge offers affordable hostel-style accommodations.
All ski weeks and mini weeks include four daily meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner) in the hotel dining room (or the Self Service Cafeteria for Inca Lodge guests). Our on-mountain restaurants are a great alternative for lunch al fresco or inside on cold days, with salads and grill options. The Portillo Bar has a full menu with empanadas and casual cuisine, as well as fondue, accompanied by live piano music.
La Parva
Sharing the same ski area as Valle Nevado and El Colorado, La Parva occupies the middle of the three ski valleys. While not as well-known as Portillo or Valle Nevado, La Parva offers plenty of great powder and usually during high season is less crowded than the other resorts, making it ideal for families or groups who want quick and easy access to Santiago. With 40 slopes ranging from beginner to advanced and a vertical drop of 3,201 feet, visitors can spend their days enjoying downhill skiing, snowboarding, and heli-skiing on the 118 inches of snow that the resort annually receives. For experts, La Parva is especially popular because it’s close to some of the region’s best extreme off-piste downhills.But La Parva also offers a range of more unique activities like Snowshoeing Nights, where guests can go snowshoeing on designated trails to take in the nighttime scenery. There are groomed and off-piste runs and a Terrain Park is currently in the works.
Apart from the skiing, La Parva is especially well-known for its restaurants: there are five different dining establishments spread out over the resort. While some offer hearty basics like sandwiches and burgers, La Marmita and San Tropez are two favorites for their international cuisine menus, so you can enjoy fondue or raclette while gazing out over the snowy valley. For accommodations, La Parva has many different apartment and rental options, most of which are ski-in, ski-out.
Valle Nevado
If you’re looking to stay closer to town but still want the real ski resort experience, Valle Nevado is the place to go. Renowned as one of South America’s most modern and efficient ski resorts, it’s part of the largest skiable area on the continent (combined with La Parva and El Colorado, the two other nearby ski resorts that share the three ski valleys which are collectively known as “Los Tres Valles de los Andes” (The Three Valleys of the Andes). While Portillo offers the drama of sheer cliffs and dramatic peaks, Valle Nevado also has the kind of view that will stop you in your tracks (or on your skis). Located above the treeline with a top elevation of 17,815 ft above sea level, the resort offers sweeping views of the rooftop of the world covered in snow, with mountains, hills, and valleys stretching off to the horizon.With 44 runs serviced by 17 lifts (groomed and off-piste), there’s plenty to keep you occupied during the day. There are slopes from beginner to expert, with a ski school and classes available during the season. Average annual snowfall measures around 276 inches (23 feet), and the runs have a maximum vertical drop of 2,657 feet, perfect for speedy downhill enthusiasts. Heli-skiing, snowboarding, and freestyle are also available on specific slopes.
Valle Nevado is also renowned for having a fantastic apres-ski scene, with six different restaurants and eateries serving everything from pizza and empanadas for a quick grab-and-go lunch to elegantly-plated and prepared meat, fish, pasta, and seafood dishes for a fancy night out. But the party really gets going when you hit one of the four bars, where the bartenders whip up speciality cocktails, as well as Chilean classics like pisco sours. Local craft beer is also in abundance.
El Colorado
The third of the three ski resorts that make up the Three Valleys of the Andes, El Colorado is by far the biggest, with 112 slopes spread out over 1,100 acres. The groomed and off-piste runs range in difficulty from beginner to advanced, with classes available for all levels. Due to the majority of El Colorado’s runs being easy or intermediate and the close proximity to Santiago (similar to La Parva, it’s roughly an hour and a half drive from the city), El Colorado is especially popular with families. But there are still plenty of epic downhill runs for thrill-seekers, with vertical drops of up to 2,962 feet.From the runs you can admire the snowy Andes that surround the resort, with Santiago spread out in the distance. To take advantage of such epic vistas, photography classes and night time snowshoeing excursions are offered. As a popular family resort, there is plenty to keep the kids (and Mom and Dad) occupied outside of slope time.
There are several restaurants (El Mirador is a favorite choice for its large dining terrace that offers views of the resort and mountains), a pub for apres drinks, a ski school for lessons, gear rental, entertainment options, and more. There’s also first aid stations, a supermarket, and a pool.
Getting to the Resorts
Located in the heart of the Andes, Santiago’s ski resorts primarily offer downhill skiing on a variety of runs that range from beginner to expert. But downhill is definitely king here, especially at Portillo. It varies depending on which resort. There are easy to access roads to Portillo, Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado, so you can bring your own car or take tour buses that run during the season. The roads to La Parva and Valle Nevado operate on the one-way system during ski season, with cars going up from morning to early afternoon, and then down from early afternoon to evening (exact time subject to change and weather). Several of the roads, like the route to Portillo and El Colorado, have tiny switchbacks and can be dangerous in bad road conditions, so careful driving is always urged.Getting to Portillo
Located northeast of Santiago on the border with Argentina, Portillo is a two-hour drive from Santiago Airport. The international highway is a beautiful and scenic route through vineyards and fruit-growing farms, with the final stretch consisting of 29 curvas or switchbacks leading up to the resort. Guests staying for a ski-week or mini-week do not need a car while at Portillo, so we recommend they arrange transportation through Portillo Tours.Tips for Planning Your Trip
Planning your ski trip to Chile? Whether you’re chasing powder in July or escaping the Northern Hemisphere summer, the Andes deliver incredible snow and unforgettable views.Travel Tips for Portillo
We want your stay in Portillo to be memorable, so here are some tips to help you plan, so that you can have an incredible and hassle-free vacation. Ski Portillo is a resort with a full range of hotel amenities and services, available for guests staying in Portillo for a ski week or a mini-week during the Chile ski season.Hotel Services in Portillo
Portillo offers a variety of services to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable:* Pool/Hot Tubs: With stunning views of the Lake of the Incas and surrounding peaks, this is a popular place to relax with friends and to watch the sunset after a day skiing.* Yoga and Stretching Room: Portillo offers daily complimentary afternoon yoga classes for all levels, as well as morning stretching. Other fitness activities such as dance lessons are offered in the yoga room.* Cinema: Every evening, guests can enjoy featured movies for adults and kids as well as any major sporting events and news. Check the Daily Bulletin, placed around the hotel, which lists activities and the movie of the day.* Bar: Ideal for meeting friends and sharing a pleasant conversation by the fire or enjoying our live music band, with a wide range of appetizers and sandwiches or the traditional Portillo fondue or fresh sushi.* Discotheque: With a full bar, lounge, dance floor and DJ booth, the Portillo Disco is a fun place to relax and dance.* Daycare and Nursery: Portillo offers licensed childcare for children of Portillo’s guests. Our caring and experienced staff will keep children entertained and learning, while parents enjoy the slopes. Daycare is complimentary for children ages four to seven. daily.* Medical Clinic: Portillo has a medical clinic available for emergency medical services 24/7 and for non-emergency medical needs during scheduled times. With a full pharmacy and staffed by some of Chile’s finest doctors the Portillo clinic assists guests with any medical needs.Chile Ski Resorts Map
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