Santiago: Valle Nevado & Farellones Full Day with Local Guide

Two Ski Centers in One Day: From Santiago into the Andes

You're picked up from your hotel and driven into the Andes to two ski centers in one day. At Farellones, you stop at a high viewpoint, explore the village, and choose from ziplines, cable cars, and other activities. At Valle Nevado, you either ski and snowboard or ride the cable car and walk the grounds. A local guide travels with you the whole way, and you return to Santiago by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Valle Nevado and Farellones excursion

• Depart from Santiago at 05:30
• Stop at Farellones viewpoint for photos
• Visit Farellones Park and enjoy activities
• Explore Valle Nevado ski center
• Ride cable car at Valle Nevado
• Return to Santiago by 18:00

The experience

The road climbs fast once you leave Santiago. Within an hour, the city disappears behind you and the Andes fill the windshield: bare rock, then snow, then the kind of altitude where the air feels thinner and the light changes. Your local guide sits up front and points out the geography as you go, explaining how the valleys formed and why this region became Chile's ski country. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters because the temperature drops as you rise, and you'll want to stay comfortable during the drive up.

The first stop is Curved Stop 32 at Farellones, a viewpoint where you step out and stand in front of the Andean range itself. This is where most people take the photos they actually keep: the scale of it stops you. Farellones Park sits below, a village built into the mountainside with activities scattered across it: ziplines, a cable car, skibunda runs, canopy tours. You're not locked into skiing or snowboarding. The park works for all ages and fitness levels, so families split up here and do different things, or you can walk around the village and just look. The local guide knows the place and can tell you what's worth your time.

Valle Nevado comes next, and this is where the day shifts. It's the largest ski center in South America, which sounds like marketing until you see it. The slopes are genuinely big, the facilities are serious, and the altitude is real. If you ski or snowboard, you can rent equipment and spend hours on the mountain. If you don't, the cable car ride alone is worth the trip. It takes you higher and the view from the top is the kind of thing you don't forget. Either way, you're in the snow, in the mountains, looking at terrain that doesn't exist anywhere else you've been.

The full day includes hotel pickup and the return drive to Santiago, so you don't arrange transport yourself or worry about timing. WiFi on board means you can stay connected during the drive if you need to, though most people just watch the landscape change. Lunch isn't mentioned in the itinerary, so plan to eat in Farellones or bring something, and bring layers: the temperature swings between Santiago and the peaks are sharp.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transportation from Santiago in an air-conditioned vehicle. Local guide throughout the day. WiFi on board. Access to both Farellones Park and Valle Nevado. Cable car rides and viewpoint stops are included.
• activities like skiing, ziplines, and canopy tours are available but may require separate rental or activity fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Turismo Chiletour

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Chile's main ski centers without arranging your own transport or timing. The guide handles the route and knows both parks, so you spend the day doing what interests you instead of figuring out logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not listed in the inclusions. You can eat at Farellones or Valle Nevado, or bring your own food.

Can I ski if I've never done it before?

Yes. Equipment rental is available at Valle Nevado, and the guide can point you to beginner slopes. Farellones also has activities for all skill levels.

What's the difference between Farellones and Valle Nevado?

Farellones is a village with mixed activities (ziplines, cable car, skibunda, canopy) for all ages. Valle Nevado is the larger ski center focused on skiing and snowboarding, with a cable car for non-skiers.

What should I bring?

Layers of clothing: the temperature drops significantly as you climb. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera are useful. Bring cash if you plan to rent equipment or buy food at the parks.

Is this suitable for children?

Yes. Farellones has activities for all ages, and infants can travel in a pram or stroller. Specialized infant seats are available in the vehicle.

Do I need to be an experienced skier?

No. Valle Nevado has slopes for all levels, and if you don't ski, the cable car and village are worth the visit on their own.

Is the guide fluent in English?

The local guide speaks multiple languages. Confirm your preferred language when you book.