Farellones & Valle Nevado Day Trip from Santiago with Pickup

Summary

Andes mountains day tour skiing village farellones snowy valle nevado

You’ll wind through twisting mountain roads from Santiago into Farellones’ cozy streets before reaching snowy Valle Nevado for skiing or just soaking up alpine air. Expect friendly guides, real local stories, warm food, and that crisp Andes silence you can feel in your bones.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Farellones and Valle Nevado

• Travel from Santiago to Farellones
• Explore Farellones village and outdoor activities
• Travel to Valle Nevado ski resort
• Enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Valle Nevado
• Dine at exclusive restaurants in Valle Nevado

Top questions

How far is Farellones from Santiago?

Farellones is about 36 km from Santiago by road.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, transportation from your accommodation in Santiago is included.

Can beginners try skiing at Valle Nevado?

Yes, Valle Nevado has slopes suitable for all levels including beginners.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No specific mention of lunch being included; local restaurants are available.

Are infant seats available on this tour?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available upon request.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with heart conditions?

No, it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

How long does it take to reach Valle Nevado from Santiago?

The drive to Valle Nevado takes about 1-1.5 hours depending on road conditions.

What activities can you do in Farellones?

You can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and exploring the village atmosphere.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup directly from your hotel in Santiago and comfortable transport up into the Andes with a knowledgeable guide who shares stories along the way; specialized infant seats are available if needed so families can join easily too.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the road out of Santiago to twist so much — or maybe I just underestimated how close the city sits to these wild, white peaks. Our driver, Carlos, laughed when I asked if the switchbacks ever get boring. “Not when you see snow for the first time,” he said. He was right; even through the van window, the Andes felt almost too big to fit in your eyes. By the time we reached Farellones, my hands were cold but my face hurt from grinning.

The village itself is small — wooden houses with blue doors, kids bundled up chasing each other past a bakery that smelled like cinnamon and something else I couldn’t place. Our guide, Valentina, waved at an old man shoveling snow and told us about her childhood here. She pointed out a café where she’d learned to ski as a kid (I’m still not sure if she meant inside or outside). We wandered around for a bit; there’s this hush in mountain air you don’t really notice until you stop talking.

Valle Nevado was only another fifteen minutes up — but it felt like another world. The ski lifts creaked overhead and people zipped by in bright jackets. I tried snowboarding for the first time (badly), then sat with hot chocolate watching clouds roll over the slopes. Lunch was slow and warm — beef stew, crusty bread, lots of laughter from a table nearby where someone kept dropping their fork. I kept thinking: this is what winter should feel like.

On the way back down toward Santiago, Carlos played old Chilean pop songs and everyone sort of dozed off or stared out at the sun setting behind those endless ridges. It’s weird how quickly you can go from city noise to mountain quiet — I still think about that silence sometimes.