El Colorado
El Colorado Ski Resort ReviewEl Colorado ski resort in Chile is part of the Tres Valles (Three Valleys) of the Andes along with
Valle Nevado and
La Parva. Unlike its neighbours that receive all the attention, El Colorado is not a glitzy resort and is considered more of an affordable locals’ ski area. El Colorado is also popular with Gen Ys who enjoy the good terrain park and the vibrant nightlife at Farellones.
Ski and Snowboard Terrain
El Colorado is made up of two ski areas (El Colorado and Farellones) that sit above two interconnected villages; Villa Colorado and Villa Farellones. The main ski area is El Colorado, whilst Farellones is really only for beginners and tubing enthusiasts. The combined
El Colorado ski terrain is 1,000 hectares with a vertical descent of 906 metres and an average annual snowfall of only 5 metres.
The mountain has a cone-shaped peak with wide open areas that fan out from the top. Unfortunately many of the runs provide a feeling of déjà vu – they offer very little pitch and are suited to beginners, intermediates and racers. There is a small area on the eastern side of the ski resort with steep pitches and a few chutes, but on a powder day every man and his dog heads for this area, and fresh tracks disappear very quickly. The real joy for experts and powderhounds can be found outside the resort boundaries.
El Colorado prides itself on having more lifts than La Parva and Valle Nevado, but the sub-standard quality of the chair lifts and quad-burning surface lifts should not be a source of pride for the resort.
All the resorts of Tres Valles are interconnected via the lift system. With an inter-resort lift ticket it’s possible for proficient skiers to ski between the three resorts in the right snow and weather conditions. The combined areas of Tres Valles are absolutely ginormous and provide a lot of variety in terrain.
Where is El Colorado ski resort?
El Colorado is located about one hour (50km) east of
Santiago Chile. El Colorado is to the north and above the Farellones village, and El Colorado is bordered by
La Parva and
Valle Nevado on either side.
Even though El Colorado is situated in the Andes Mountains Range, the ski resort doesn’t have the views you’d expect of the Andes. With a cone shaped peak, the mountain doesn’t have the dramatic rocky peaks that are found at other Andes’ ski resorts such as
Portillo. The presence of lines of wind fences also detracts from the vistas at El Colorado.
The road up to the Tres Valles ski areas of the Cajon de Mapocho (Mapocho River Canyon) is paved, but it can be a little challenging considering the many switchbacks on the road up to Farellones. If you aren’t brave enough to self-drive, there are private transfers or reasonably priced shuttles that run from Santiago daily. See the
how to get to El Colorado page for more information.
El Colorado Accommodation
El Colorado accommodation is within two villages: Villa Farellones and Villa Colorado. Farellones is larger, more traditional and the lodgings are less expensive. Accommodations include hotels, self-contained apartments and backpackers’ hostels (refugios). The village of Farellones is connected to El Colorado by a couple of surface tows.
Villa Colorado accommodation is generally in the form of apartments, some of them ski-in ski-out. Colorado lodgings are not as expensive as those at
La Parva or a
Valle Nevado hotel, but the quality is not in the same league either, and it certainly wouldn’t be described as inexpensive.
One of advantages of staying at Farellones or El Colorado is that the duration of your stay can be flexible, unlike La Parva and Valle Nevado where a week-long stay is often required.
Language
This ski resort has some international influence considering the many Northern Hemisphere racing teams that train at El Colorado. To cater for the English speaking visitors, there are a few signs around the resort in English, but otherwise you’ll need to brush up on your Spanish (or Spanglish). Ditto for verbal communication as very few staff speak fluent English, and only some staff speak a little English. The Powderhounds had a couple of unfortunate experiences where our attempts at Spanish were not greeted cordially, but surely this is not the norm? Also have your phrase book on hand with the culinary pages bookmarked, as none of the dining menus have English translations. Otherwise just order a cerveza and papas fritas!
Why Ski or Snowboard at El Colorado, Chile?
El Colorado is great for beginners, intermediates and Gen Ys, and is well located to access La Parva and Valle Nevado. And unlike at La Parva and Valle Nevado, a ski holiday at El Colorado won’t burn as big a hole in your pocket with exorbitant prices. The nightlife at El Colorado and Farellones is also much better, so you can drink lots of pisco sours and say “¡aye carumba” when you don’t make it to first lifts the next day.
Powderhounds.com awards for El Colorado for “
best skiing in South America” are for the cruisers (ie intermediate groomed runs) and the après and nightlife.
Tours that include El ColoradoChile Fully Hosted & Guided Ski & Snowboard Safaris
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Summer Escape Ski & Snowboard Tour - 7 Days
An action packed adventure for advanced to expert skiers & snowboarders. Ride Chile's top ski areas (Valle Nevado, El Colorado, La Parva, Portillo PLUS El Arpa Cat Skiing) + night in Santiago.....
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Chile Snow Adventure - 9 Days
An adventure of a lifetime for advanced to expert skiers & snowboarders. Ride Chile's top ski areas (Valle Nevado, El Colorado, La Parva, Portillo, Termas de Chillan PLUS El Arpa Cat Skiing) + night in Santiago.....
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Chile Resorts Tour - 14 Days
Ride 5 of Chile's best ski areas including Valle Nevado, El Colorado, La Parva, (Portillo or Corralco) & Termas de Chillan (PLUS El Arpa Cat Skiing option).....
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Hosted (unguided) Resort Safari's
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Chile's Top Ski Resorts Tour - 8 Days
Ski 2 of Chile's best resorts; Valle Nevado & Portillo PLUS 2 full days of cat sking at El Arpa. For advanced intermediate to experts riders, this is an adventure if a lifetime.....
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Ski, Wine Tasting & San Pedro - 10 Days
Combine skiing at 3 of Chile's top ski destinations including a day of cat skiing at El Arpa with a tour of Chile's central & northern region. Wine, natural wonders and unforgettable vistas.....
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Chile & Argentina Combo Safaris
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Frontier Las Lenas Tour - 12 Days
Off-piste / back country extravaganza for advanced to expert skiers & snowboarders to 4 of Chile's best resorts plus a day of cat skiing with El Arpa and then 5 day finale at the big cahona in Argentina; Las Lenas.....
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Chile Guided Instructional Tours
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4 Resorts Ski Safari - 9 Days
Check out 4 of Chile's best ski resorts while improving your skiing with certified professional ski coaches & guides. Strong Intermediates to Strong Advanced skiers only....
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4 Resorts + CatSki Safari - 11 Days
This tour is specifically designed for intermediate to advanced skiers wanting to improve their off-piste/powder skiing skills. Certified professional coaching all the way...
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Chile Instructional Ski Tour - 7 Days
Improve your skiing & experience some of Chile's best resorts including Portillo, La Parva, El Colorado, Valle Nevado + a day of cat skiing with El Arpa. For intermediate to advanced intermediate skiers.....
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Chile Instructional Snowboard Tour - 8 Days
Improve your snowboarding skills whilst you experience some of Chile's best resorts including Portillo, La Parva, El Colorado, Valle Nevado plus a day of cat skiing in the back country. For intermediate snowboarders......
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Women's Freeride Ski Camp - 7 Days
Develop your freeride off-piste and backcountry skills with pro skier Ingrid Backstrom at the beautiful Chilean ski resort of La Parva. For advanced intermediate to advanced skiers......
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