Why El Colorado and Farellones?
The twin resorts of El Colorado and Farellones are part of the Andean Tres Valles ski area just 36km from Santiago, with lots of greens and blues ideal for beginners. A combination of excellent transport links from the capital, average annual snowfall of over 3.5 metres together with access to clothing and equipment hire, make this from June to October a worthy weekend destination or day trip, popular with tourists, expat residents and affluent chilean families.
Info
Round trip transport is available from two Santiago locations, Avenida Apoquindo Omnium 4900 and Sport Mall Avenida Las Condes 13451 www.elcolorado.cl/transporte. Departures start at 7.30am to arrive in plenty of time for the lifts opening at 9am whilst the last bus back leaves around 5.30pm. Alternatively both www.skiahorro.cl/ and www.skivan.cl offer bus and smaller private transfers to the resorts from down town and the airport. There is one rental shop at each resort and notably ski clothing can also be rented from Ski Ahorra. Family run www.alltoski.com similarly have complete day packages with pick ups in Barrio Bella Vista, Santiago.
The slopes and ski schools
With only 6 green slopes, Farellones makes the perfect base for complete beginners, children or tobogganing. Lessons are available for children aged 5-10yrs at the mini ski school from 11.30 until 3.30pm. Heading further up the mountain El Colorado offers substantially more - 74 pistes in total (approx 40% easy and 20% intermediate) and a funky snow park. Lessons here for children begin from age 3 up to 11 years (11.30am - 4.15pm) and adult tuition is available at both resorts, one to one or minimum 4 person small group. Improvers may like to test their skills on the more challenging reds and blacks found at the top of Cerro Colorado.
Facilities and staying
Both areas are fairly small but a selection of apartments and hotels are available. Hotel Posada at Farellones provides rustic style lodging complete with outdoor spa and helpful owner. Expensive but gets great reviews. The new Aspen Apart Hotel at El Colorado has rooms for up to 4-6 people whilst the Colorado Apart Hotel offers the best ski in ski out accommodation and includes in the rate, breakfast and dinner in the Cadaque bar and restaurant. When hunger strikes El Alambique on the 4th floor of the Parador building cooks up a wide variety of food day and night or relax slope side with a beer and delicious crab au gratin at El Montanes bar and restaurant.
NOTE: This report is a compendium of info designed to assist making a choice about whether El Colorado and Farellones are right for you, taken from reliable sources. We have not skied El Colorado and Farellones.
