Ski resorts near Santiago
Santiago is one of the few capitals in the world with ski resorts less than two hours away. From Providencia, most of them are a morning's drive, and you can be back at the hotel to sleep. Almasur recommends leaving early: the road gets busy and uphill hours are limited.
Farellones, El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado
All four are in the Lo Barnechea district, along Route G-21, the Camino a Farellones. Farellones is the mountain village, about 36 km from Santiago and roughly 1.5 hours away, according to chile.travel. From there the road splits toward El Colorado and La Parva, or continues to Valle Nevado, the highest and farthest of the three.
Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Colorado make up the area known as Tres Valles. They have runs for every level, ski schools and equipment rental at the base.
Portillo
Chile's oldest and most classic ski resort sits on the shore of Laguna del Inca, at about 2,860 m above sea level. It is roughly 164 km from Santiago along the international highway to Argentina, via Los Andes. The drive takes 2 to 2.5 hours. That road can close during storms, so check its status before you go.
Lagunillas
Located in San José de Maipo, in the Cajón del Maipo, about 67 km from Santiago and around 2,200 m high. It is run by the Club Andino de Chile and describes itself as the country's only non-commercial ski area. It is smaller and quieter, a good choice for families and beginners. A mountain road of about 17 km climbs from the town of San José de Maipo.
Comparison table from Providencia
| Resort | Approx. distance from Santiago | Approx. drive time | Access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farellones | 36 km | 1.5 h | Route G-21 | Snow day, sledding, families |
| El Colorado | Similar to Farellones | 1.5 h | Route G-21 | Day skiing |
| La Parva | A bit beyond Farellones | 1.5 to 2 h | Route G-21 | Skiers of all levels |
| Valle Nevado | Farthest of Tres Valles | 1.5 to 2 h | Routes G-21 and G-251 | Ski stays, higher terrain |
| Portillo | 164 km | 2 to 2.5 h | International highway to Argentina | Classic experience, Laguna del Inca |
| Lagunillas | 67 km | 1.5 to 2 h | Cajón del Maipo | Families, beginners |
Times are approximate and depend on traffic, weather and road checkpoints.
Snow season
The season at the resorts near Santiago usually runs from June to September, extending into October in good snow years. Dates change every year. In 2026, for example, Valle Nevado opened on June 19 and, after a winter of exceptional snowfall, announced it would extend its season until December 1. Don't take that as the rule: always check each resort's official website.
The road to Farellones: curves, chains and hours
The Camino a Farellones has its famous 40 hairpin curves, starting around km 16, where the road narrows. Drive calmly and use low gears on the way down.
- Snow chains: mandatory when SENAPRED issues an alert or bad weather is forecast. Carabineros (police) check at the La Ermita sector. Chain rental shops are at the start of the road.
- Hours: during the season, on weekends, public holidays and winter school holidays, the road has been uphill-only from 8:00 to 13:00 and downhill-only from 15:00 to 20:00. Exact dates are set every year by the regional transport authority.
- Buses: in the 2026 season, buses with 18 or more seats were restricted above La Ermita, so transfers usually run in smaller vehicles.
Transfers, gear rental and tips
If you'd rather not drive on snow, book a transfer in advance; several leave early from Santiago's eastern neighborhoods. You can rent clothing and gear at shops in Santiago or directly at the resorts. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and layers: at that altitude the sun burns even when it's cold.
A snow day without skiing
- Farellones: has a family snow park with sledding and tubing, perfect if it's your first time in the snow.
- Cajón del Maipo: in winter the mountains turn white and there are villages and viewpoints to explore. The road to the El Yeso Reservoir often closes with snow above San Gabriel, and some operators skip it between April and August. Check conditions before going.
If you like the mountains in summer, see our guide to hiking in Santiago. For the rest of your stay, check things to do in Providencia, and if you're traveling with your company, learn how to plan corporate events in Santiago with a snow day included.
