Farellones & Valle Nevado tour: Mountain villages ski resort

Two mountain towns in one day, starting before the crowds arrive

A guided day tour from Santiago to Farellones village and Valle Nevado ski resort in the Andes, 36 to 46 km away, with transportation from your hotel and a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese. The tour runs eight to nine hours and covers both the wooden-house village of Farellones and South America's largest ski resort, which sits at high altitude and operates year-round for skiing, snowboarding and mountain dining.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Farellones and Valle Nevado

• Visit Farellones village
• Enjoy skiing and hiking activities
• Discover Valle Nevado ski resort
• Experience local cuisine at Valle Nevado

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your Santiago accommodation and a drive into the Andes foothills toward Farellones, a mountain village 36 km away built around wooden houses and shelters. The village sits at altitude where outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding and hiking are the rhythm of the place. You'll spend time here exploring the community and its surroundings before the tour moves on to Valle Nevado, the larger and more modern ski resort 46 km from Santiago, which operates 34 slopes across all difficulty levels.

Valle Nevado is South America's largest ski resort and runs year-round, so whether you're visiting in winter or summer, the mountain is active. The resort has restaurants where you can eat, and the slopes themselves are open to skiers and snowboarders of every level—beginners and experts both find terrain. The tour gives you time to move through both locations without rushing, and the guide handles the route and timing so you don't have to plan the drive or navigate between the two.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese and travels with the group throughout the day. The tour is eight to nine hours total, which accounts for the drive, the time at each stop and the return to Santiago. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children, and the pace suits all fitness levels, though the altitude and mountain terrain mean the day is more active than a city tour.

What’s included

• Transportation from your Santiago hotel.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• access to both Farellones village and Valle Nevado ski resort.
• specialized infant seats if needed for small children.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Morandé Turismo & Transporte

Is this one for you?Book this if you're prepared for 8-9 hours mostly in a vehicle at high altitude; you'll reach two mountain locations with a guide handling logistics and driving.

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Top questions

How far is Farellones from Santiago, and what is there to do in the village?

Farellones sits 36 km from Santiago in the Andes foothills and is a mountain community built around wooden houses and shelters. The village is set up for outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding and hiking, and you'll have time to explore the village itself and its natural surroundings during the tour.

What is Valle Nevado, and why does it matter that it's the largest ski resort in South America?

Valle Nevado, 46 km from Santiago, is South America's largest and most modern ski resort, with 34 slopes ranging from beginner to expert terrain. It operates year-round, so the mountain is active whether you visit in winter or summer, and the resort includes restaurants where you can eat during your time there.

How long does the whole tour take, and what's included in the price?

The tour runs eight to nine hours total and includes transportation from your Santiago accommodation, a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese, and visits to both Farellones village and Valle Nevado. Breakfast, lunch and snow clothing are not included, so plan accordingly if you want to eat or need gear.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not in great physical shape?

The tour suits all fitness levels and the pace is manageable for most travelers. The main consideration is altitude—both Farellones and Valle Nevado sit in the high mountains—so if you have cardiovascular concerns, check with your doctor before booking, as the elevation can be demanding for some people.

Can I bring a baby or very small child on this tour?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children, so you can bring them along in the vehicle during the drive and stops.