Those who have never skied in their lives may not realize the labor involved in the process. It’s not enough to put your skis on your feet and go down the mountain, it’s not that glamorous and it’s not a cheap deal either. Anyone who has skied knows this. Chile receives thousands of Brazilians in search of the snow-capped Andes mountains. That’s why we prepared this guide with tips for skiing in Chile for the first time, compiled during my stay there in the 2012 season.
Renting ski clothes
To ski you need waterproof gloves, pants and jackets. In addition, you will also need glasses – these can be special ones, called goggles, or normal sunglasses, as long as they are not falling off your face. And it’s good to wear a helmet too, just in case. Unless you already have all of these things, you need to buy or rent everything. Santiago has several stores that offer this material.
We rented the equipment at SkiTotal (Calle Apoquindo, 4900), because the store offered a 25% discount for Itaú customers (in my case) and it ended up being worth it. But it’s worth doing a lot of research before closing a deal. There are several stores in the center, near Plaza das Armas, selling new and used clothes. You can buy it and try to resell it after using it.
Read more: Where to stay in Santiago
Equipment rental
Unlike clothing, equipment is not something that is typically purchased, with the exception of professional skiers, the wealthy, or those who live in the snow and mountains. If you don’t fit into these categories, like the rest of mortals, you will rent the equipment. This includes skis, poles (those little poles that we hold) and boots. In the case of snowboarding, you will only need your board and boots.
You can rent equipment in specialized stores in the center of Santiago or at the ski resort itself. This option is usually more expensive, but it is also more practical. After all, the less time you have to carry all this stuff, the better.
Tips for skiing in Chile – Choosing the mountain
Initial note for those who don’t know how it works: to ski or snowboard, you need to buy a ski resort pass. With this pass, which is attached to your clothes, you guarantee access to the cable cars that take you up the mountain. No, you can’t go skiing without buying this. Everyone checks if you have the pass. And it doesn’t cost cheap: from 35 thousand pesos (around R$150) per day, but this value varies each season.
Many people associate Chile with Valle Nevado, but they don’t know that there are other stations around Santiago. Valle Nevado is the most chic – and obviously most expensive – of them.
We skied at El Colorado, not only because it had the cheapest pass, but also because it was recommended to us as one of the best options for those who had never skied in their lives, such as my sister, who accompanied me. Another option for first-time skiers and also for children, as some mothers in the equipment rental queue told me, is Farellones, which is attached to El Colorado: the ticket for one is valid for another, but you can also buy a Cheapest ticket only for Farellones. There are still two other options: La Parva and Portillo.
Mountain transport
Finally, with the ski resort chosen, clothes properly dressed for the cold at altitude of the Andes and with equipment on your back (because on your feet, only after you arrive), it’s time to organize transport.
If you have a car, you’ll have to worry about making everything fit – if the vehicle is small, it won’t fit in the trunk, I’ll warn you. Those who do not have their own transport can go by van. There are several options, from those where you book in advance and they pick you up at the hotel to those where they take you and pick you up at the door of the equipment store. That was the option we chose. We took the van from the place where we rented the equipment, but halfway there we received a leaflet that advertised a discount on the van at another nearby store. I’m sorry, but I really don’t remember the name of this company (if anyone knows, tell me in the comments, please). All I know is that it is next to Ski Total, in the same building.
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And the snow?
It’s worth checking what the snow is like on the mountain before you go. The more recent the snowfall and the larger the snowpack, the better. This can influence the day you choose to ski and which season you go. And get ready for the climb that the Andes have in store for you. It’s a road with countless curves up the mountain, which makes even the strongest of stomachs turn, whether because of nausea or fear of heights.
When is the best time to ski in Chile?
In winter, of course. But this can vary a lot due to this crazy weather. July is high season, but in June and August there is usually snow too. With any luck, even in September and early October (in this case, with everything cheaper). Check the ski resort websites, which provide daily updates on the snow situation.
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