Express 3-Day Ski Trip Ex Santiago
If you only have limited time and you have a desire to ski in Chile for a few days; this tour is ideal!
These tours are for people of any ability however are for private groups only. You can book a trip as a solo traveller however you will find it to be very expensive. Ideally you will be a group of 3 up to 8 for this tour to be economical.
Following is a sample itinerary of how the 3 days might go but the schedule can be relatively flexible.....
Day 1 - Arrival Day - Ski La Parva
The tour starts in Santiago where you will be greeted and picked up from the airport and driven up to your accommodation (Powder Lodge) at Farellones which is a great central location to the Tres Valles ski resorts of Vale Nevado, El Colorado & La Parva.
Most international flights arrive in the morning at Santiago so you should be able to get a reasonable warm-up day of skiing in at La Parva. La Parva is a good size ski area with fabulous long groomed runs and if you happen to strike it on a powder day there is plenty of spectacular off-piste terrain.
After skiing take a dip in the hot tub and watch the sun set over the mountains & Santiago with a glass of wine or beer in hand or relax your muscles in the sauna.
Apres snacks are served in the afternoon and then a fabulous spread of locally sourced produce for dinner at Powder Lodge.
Day 2 - Ski Valle Nevado
After a hearty breakfast at Powder Lodge, you will be driven 30 mins from Farellones to Valle Nevado.
Modeled after the style of European resorts, the Valle Nevado complex straddles the imposing peak El Plomo and has the largest skiable domain in Chile. The quality and size of the terrain, good chair lifts, and service make the resort a very worthwhile destination. At an altitude of 3,670m/12,040 ft and with average snowfall of 7m/276 inches, Valle Nevado has some of the most consistently great snow conditions among the major resorts in the region.
After skiing your group may opt for some apres at one of the bars at Valle Nevado before heading back to the hot tub & sauna that awaits. Powder Lodge will put on apres upon your return and another fabulous dinner.
Depending on what night of the week it is, Farellones has a couple of bars/nightclubs just a short walk from Powder Lodge so you may opt to put on your dancing shoes and head on out!
Day 3 - Ski El Colorado - Return to Santiago/Airport
After breakfast at Powder Lodge you will be driven to El Colorado ski resort (about 15 mins away) where you can spend your last day skiing before heading back to Santiago or the airport.
El Colorado sits between La Parva and Valle Nevado and has some long groomed runs and short pitchy runs near the top of the ski area. It also has the best terrain park in the Tres Valles if that's your think.
Short and sweet but you will have packed a lot into 3 days!
Accommodation
Powder Lodge (2 nights)
This lodge is a somewhat new, timber-framed building which looks out to the La Parva ski field. It has a rustic and cozy atmosphere, ideal for singles, couples, and families as well as larger groups. Powder Lodge is located in the village of Farellones and has 8 rooms which accommodate 1-3 guests in each. While the lodge has no formal restaurant, it does have its own catering chefs and guests can also opt to cook for themselves. Beverages and alcohol are BYO (bring your own). The standard package includes breakfast, ski apres, and dinner. The lodge has an outdoor hot tub as well as recently added sauna and massage services.
About Equipment Rental
Ski/snowboard equipment (boots, poles, skis, snowboards) are not included in package price, and Upscape does not rent this equipment. Your driver from Santiago will be happy to take you to one of our recommended ski rental facilities on your way to the mountains. Please note that ski shops are not connected with Upscape and there is no way to guarantee the type or brand of equipment available. Most clients prefer to bring their own equipment.
Ability
As these packages are for private groups they are suitable to beginners up to experts skiers & boarders. However given the location at Farellones, lessons would be difficult to organise so whilst beginners could attend, they should be able to ski without the need for lessons.