Santiago Chile

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Santiago de Chile with the mountains in the background
Santiago de Chile with the mountains in the background
Tres Valles, the Santiago ski resorts
Tres Valles, the Santiago ski resorts
Santiago Chile culture
Santiago Chile culture
Arpa Cat Skiing - day trip from Santiago
Arpa Cat Skiing - day trip from Santiago
You can stay in Santiago and go heli skiing
You can stay in Santiago and go heli skiing
Santiago Centro
Santiago Centro
Sightseeing in Centro Santiago
Sightseeing in Centro Santiago
Sightseeing in Santiago Centro
Sightseeing in Santiago Centro
Looking down at Santiago from the ski resorts
Looking down at Santiago from the ski resorts
Santiago sightseeing
Santiago sightseeing
Santiago provides an opportunity to slowly absorb the Chilean culture
Santiago provides an opportunity to slowly absorb the Chilean culture
Centro is home to lots of architecturally interesting buildings
Centro is home to lots of architecturally interesting buildings
Skiing near Santiago but the smog sometimes masks it
Skiing near Santiago but the smog sometimes masks it
Absorb the culture
Absorb the culture
Santiago de Chile is a melting pot of socio-economic groups
Santiago de Chile is a melting pot of socio-economic groups
There is a small amount of sightseeing in Santiago
There is a small amount of sightseeing in Santiago
Wander the shops
Wander the shops
Santiago is an interesting gateway for a ski vacation
Santiago is an interesting gateway for a ski vacation
Include a stay in Santiago as part of your Chile ski trip
Include a stay in Santiago as part of your Chile ski trip
Santiago Chile
Santiago Chile

Santiago Chile

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Santiago

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Santiago Chile

Santiago is the gateway to any Chile skiing vacation and it also makes a great base to access the Santiago ski resorts in nearby Tres Valles. Whether you just do a brief stopover in the city at the start or end of your Chile ski vacation, or stay there to access the Tres Valles ski resorts or nearby heli skiing, Santiago is a must do!

With a population of 5.6 million, more than 36 percent of Chile’s population lives in Santiago. Whilst it doesn’t have the same pizzazz as other South American cities, Santiago is certainly the heartbeat of Chile.

Ski Santiago Chile - Nearby Resorts

The Santiago ski resorts are the interconnected ski resorts in the Three Valleys (Tres Valles), that overlook the city. The boutique La Parva is only 50km/31 miles east of the city and a popular choice for the elite of Santiago. For other skiing near Santiago, El Colorado and Farellones ski areas are part of the one resort and are great for beginners and for racing on long groomers. Valle Nevado is a large ski area that is internationally renowned and has impressive facilities.

Other skiing near Santiago is at the little Lagunillas which is a non-commercial ski resort southeast of the city. Nearby is Chapa Verde, 145km from Santiago.

The most well known ski resort amongst North Americans is Portillo, which is 164km/102miles (about 2 hours drive) northeast of Santiago near the Argentina border. Portillo has been cited as one of Warren Miller’s top 10 ski destinations, partly because of the steep slopes and the powder, but also because of the charisma of the big yellow Hotel Portillo.

A Santiago skiing vacation can include Chile heli skiing opportunities, and there are also day trips from Santiago to the Aconcagua Valley to go cat skiing with Ski Arpa (108km - about 2:15 hour drive from Santiago).

Santiago Short Ski Trips to Tres Valles Express Ski - La Parva & Valle Nevado - Ex Santiago
If you don't have time for a week at one of Chile's top ski resorts but you have a few days available, jump on an Express Ski Package. Stay at a lovely mountain lodge in Farellones village (includes breakfast & dinner each night) and ski at La Parva & El Colorado in the Tres Valles. Package can be customized to your requirements.
Valle Nevado Ski Trips from Santiago Valle Nevado Packages - Ex Santiago
Check out the options for staying at Valle Nevado, Chile's premier ski resort. Packages are for 7 nights (ski week) or 3 or 4 nights (mini ski week) and include lodging (3 standards to choose from), meals, transport, lift tickets and more.

Where is Santiago?

Santiago (Santiago de Chile) is located in the central valley of Chile between the Chilean Coast Range and the spectacular Andes Mountains. The Santiago Benitez International Airport is the main airport which is located 26km/16 miles west of central Santiago. Latam is the major international carrier, with flights from United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Latam and other airlines fly into Santiago from other South American cities.

A huge advantage of the ski resorts near Santiago over those in southern Chile and in Argentina is that they are so easily accessible. It’s generally much quicker to fly into Santiago than Buenos Aires, and from the Santiago airport the ski resorts are only 1.5 to 2 hours away.

Accommodations Santiago

Santiago has lots of lodging options spread across the various neighbourhoods of the city. In recent years many hostels and other budget accommodation options have popped up, and there are also upmarket Santiago hotels that are very reasonably priced.

Santiago Hotel Listings

Santiago Activities

Your first impression might be that all Santiago has going for it in winter is the smog, and whilst Santiago activities aren’t as obviously attractive to the tourist compared to other South American cities, Santiago certainly has an intriguing allure. There are various things to do in Santiago Chile, particularly if you’ve got plenty of time on your hands. There are several museums, quirky shops, a vibrant café scene and a few other attractions.

A day trip to Maipo Valley or Aconcagua Valley to visit the wineries is a must-do, especially to try some of the unique varietals such as Carménère, a delicious medium-bodied red.

Why Stay in Santiago?

If you’re looking for a distinctive Chilean culture up at the Santiago ski resorts, then you may be a little disappointed. In Chile only the elite going skiing, and when you stay on-mountain at the ski resorts the atmosphere is similar to that of a North American ski resort.

However if you stay in Santiago where there’s a melting pot of socio-economic groups, you know that you’ll experience the real heart and soul of Chile. The culture of Chile might not smack you in the face as it does in some other South American cities, but Santiago provides a great opportunity to slowly absorb the Chilean culture….. all in Chile time.
Tours That May Include Santiago

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

High Andes Adventure
GUIDED OFF-PISTE ROAD TRIP
7 Days | 6 Nights | 5 Days Skiing inc 1 Day Cat
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Visit the highest ski resorts in the Andes and experience a day of cat skiing at Valle El Arpa. Situated in the shadow of Aconcagua, the tallest peak outside the Himalayas, these ski and snowboard centers will bring out the big mountain
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share room occupancy for 2023 season.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,695
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Andes Explorer
GUIDED OFF-PISTE ROAD TRIP
11 Days | 11 Nights | 8 Days Skiing inc 1 Day Cat
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
The 11-day Andes Explorer is the ultimate Chile ski and snowboard adventure taking you to all of the best Chile has to offer including Portillo, Ski Arpa Cat Skiing, La Parva, El Colorado, Valle Nevado and a personal favorite Nevados de Chillan.
Price p/p
USD 6,395
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See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Santiago here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Freeride The Andes
SNOWMOBILE ACCESS SKI/BOARDING TOUR
2N | 2D Riding OR 4N | 4D Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
This tour offers up some of the world's best backcountry snowmobiling, skiing & snowboarding high-up in the Andes about 80km from Santiago. Packages are available for 2 nights / 2 days riding OR 4 nights / 4 days riding.
Price p/p From price based on 2-night package staying in a cabin in a group of 4.
base/invoice currency is USD
displayed price may vary slightly due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,950
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See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Santiago here

Heli Skiing Tours

Andes Heli Ski Packages
HELISKI CHILE'S BEST TERRAIN
4 Nights | 3 Days Heliskiing
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
This deluxe package is ideal for those that have limited time yet want to experience the best powder and terrain in Chile in just a few days. Available for private & mixed group tours. The package includes 3 days of heli-skiing, avo safety gear, use of skis/snowboard, 4 nights of luxury lodging, transfers, meals & more
Price p/p From price based on group of 8 (price per person) with 9 hours flying time
Base/invoice currency is in EURO inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 8,424
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See all Heli Skiing tours that visit Santiago here

Cat Skiing Tours

Ski Arpa Day Trip from Santiago
ARPA CAT SKIING - DAY TRIP FROM SANTIAGO
1 Full Day of Cat Skiing inc Transfers
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
If you are based in Santiago and are looking for a unique and exciting ski or snowboard adventure, then a day of snowcat skiing (10,000 - 15,000 vertical feet) at Ski Arpa could be just the ticket! The full day tour (12 hours) includes return transport ex Santiago.
Price p/p From price based on group of 2. Price reduces per person depending on number of guests attending. Min 2 guests required to tour to operate.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 590
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Arpa Basecamp
SNOWCAT CAMPING TOUR
1-2 Nights Camping | 1-2 Days Cat Skiing
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
If you don't mind an adventure, this cat skiing tour with Arpa includes camping in tents at the base of the ski zone, daily breakfast, lunch & dinner and transfers to/from Santiago.
Price p/p From price (current for 2023 season) is per person based on shared tent (group of 2) for 1 night & 1 day.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 840
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See all Cat Skiing tours that visit Santiago here
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