Ski Resorts in Chile
Chile is the best ski destination in South America and the most reliable place to ski during the northern hemisphere summer. The high central Andes near Santiago hold the marquee resorts, Portillo for steeps and character and Valle Nevado for the most lift served terrain, while volcano resorts in the south add long runs and hot springs. The season runs roughly mid June to early October, with August and September the safest for snow. Chile suits adventurous intermediates and experts chasing dry high altitude snow, and it is not the easy pick for beginners or young families.
By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026
Where to ski in Chile, by area
Chilean skiing splits into the central Andes within easy reach of Santiago, which hold the famous high altitude resorts, and the volcano resorts further south, which trade altitude for scenery, hot springs and long descents off snow capped cones. The central Andes are where most international skiers go. Here is how the country breaks down.
| Area | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Central Andes | The high resorts above Santiago. Portillo, Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Colorado, the dry snow and the most lift served terrain in the southern hemisphere. |
| Southern volcanoes | Nevados de Chillan and Corralco, lower and snowier with long runs, hot springs and Araucaria forest. More scenery and solitude, fewer lifts. |
The central Andes resorts share the Chilean Andes region above Santiago and are the natural base for a first trip. The southern volcano resorts reward a return visit or a longer tour.
The Chilean resorts we would actually book
Portillo and Valle Nevado lead, for very different reasons, and the rest of the list balances the linked terrain above Santiago with the snowier, quieter volcanoes of the south. Number one is a tie split by what you want: Portillo for the once in a lifetime experience and steep terrain, Valle Nevado for the most skiing on one pass.
- Portillo
The most characterful resort in South America, a single yellow hotel by a frozen lake with legendary steep terrain and the famous Roca Jack slingshot lifts. All inclusive weeks, no village, limited lifts, but an experience nothing else matches. - Valle Nevado
The best pick for terrain. Linked with La Parva and El Colorado into the largest ski area in the southern hemisphere, high, dry and modern, with the most lifts and on snow lodging near Santiago. - La Parva
A quieter, more residential resort on the same Tres Valles link as Valle Nevado and El Colorado, good for intermediates and families who want the big area without the crowds. - El Colorado
The closest of the Tres Valles resorts to Santiago, busy on weekends and good value, with a spread of beginner and intermediate terrain plus access to the wider link. - Nevados de Chillan
A southern volcano resort with one of the longest runs in South America, natural hot springs at the base and a snowier, more sheltered feel than the central Andes. - Corralco
A snow sure boutique resort on the Lonquimay volcano, ringed by ancient Araucaria trees, quiet and scenic and a favorite for backcountry and powder.
Individual resort pages for the Chilean Andes are being added. For now this hub ranks the options and the Chilean Andes region page goes deeper on the central resorts.
What it costs and when to go
Chile is a long haul trip, and the airfare is the main expense. A week per person typically falls in the $4,000 to $8,000 range once flights from the northern hemisphere are included, with Portillo's all inclusive weeks at the upper end. The skiing, lift passes and food are reasonable by Alpine standards, so on the ground costs are moderate.
The season runs from roughly mid June to early October. August and September are the most reliable months for snow, July can be excellent in a good year, and late September into October brings warm, sunny spring skiing. Because it is the southern hemisphere winter, Chile is the answer when you want to ski during the European and North American summer.
Compare current lift pass prices through our lift pass partner, arrange transfers up from Santiago with our transfer partner, sort travel cover through our insurance partner, and book lessons and ski hire ahead through our lessons and ski hire partners.
Questions worth asking
Keep exploring up to all destinations, sideways to neighboring Argentina for the other half of the Andes, or read our guide to what a ski holiday costs before you budget a long haul trip. If you want this trip priced by specialists, tell us your dates and budget below and we will route your brief to the right operators.
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