El Colorado

Depending on how early you land, El Colorado’s ridiculously close proximity to Santiago makes it possible to arrive and ski in the same day. Unlike its Tres Valles siblings, Valle Nevado and La Parva, El Colorado offers a dual pass with the nearby ski town, Farellones, so you can ski both areas and ride a chairlift from one to the other. El Colorado’s cone shape–providing wide open runs that fan out from the top–boasts 46 miles of high-alpine skiing that expands almost a full 360 degrees around the mountain for spectacular views of the Andes. Inbounds, the terrain park is where El Colorado shines, offering the largest and most innovative park in the entire country with over 40 features that are updated regularly. A relatively new drag lift, Los Pioneros, services 13 new runs and bowls on the east side of the resort for skiers looking for more challenging terrain.

Details

Skiable Acres:

2,471

Runs:

101

Vertical Drop:

2,963 feet

Distance To Airport:

44 miles

Website:

elcolorado.cl

El-Colorado

How To Get There

Once you fly into Santiago International Airport (SCL), El Colorado is just 44 miles away. The easiest–and most economical–way to get to El Colorado is hailing a ride at the airport but you can also rent a car if you feel like spending the extra money for the freedom to explore in your own vehicle. 

El-Colorado

Where To Stay

Accommodations at El Colorado cater to larger groups, as most of the offerings are multiple bedroom apartments. For groups of 8-10 people, Edificio Valle Olimpico sits slopeside at the mountain with ski-to-door access, private bathrooms, free wifi and parking. For slightly smaller groups, Apart Hotel Bianco offers one- and two-bedroom apartments that sleep four and six people, respectively, and the hotel provides breakfast and dinner every day of your stay. If you’re traveling alone or as a pair, Colorado Apart Hotel is your ticket to sleeping 30 feet from the lifts. An “apart” hotel means individual apartments are self-serviced but the hotel boasts a bar and restaurant for guests to enjoy. All of the packages include breakfast and dinner.

Travel Tips From The Pros:

If there is a discotheque, après ski or afterparties, GO.

— Angel Collinson

Where To Ski

With over 40 features and various sized jumps, El Colorado’s terrain park is the largest in Chile and considered one of the best in South America. For big-mountain enthusiasts, the best inbounds terrain is to the east of the summit cone, which isn’t visible from the base of the resort. This area tends to keep beginners and intermediates on the front side of the mountain as it’s serviced by T-bars and Pomas, including the new Los Pioneros T-Bar, which provides access to 13 new, steep runs and bowls. Note: If you plan on skiing off-piste, be sure to have the proper safety equipment, knowledge and a partner.

Click To Zoom
El-Colorado

Where To Eat

With many of the accommodation packages including breakfast and dinner, the best time to explore El Colorado’s food scene is during lunchtime. El Sabroso–which translates to “the tasty one”–serves up papas fritas, sandwiches and other simple fares for you to enjoy while overlooking the gorgeous valley on the establishment’s outdoor patio. For something a little more formal, El Alambique Restaurante will tickle your palate with fondues, steaks, seafood and delectable desserts. While you’re out skiing, hit up the Hungry Yeti–adjacent from the Coruru lift for a quick bite on the slopes.

El-Colorado

Nightlife

While the vibe at El Colorado is typically pretty mellow once the sun goes down, the bar inside the El Parador building hardly ever disappoints. If you’re looking for a little more commotion and a dance floor, the bars and discotheques in the town of nearby Farellones will be your best bet to get your late-night boogy on.