El Colorado, which dates back to 1948, was the first ski resort opened in Chile. It is set at an altitude of 3,333 metres. The road climbs 36 kilometres up into the Andes from Santiago.

There are 70 pistes in optimum conditions and as the Ski resort web site says “we challenge you to try them all, and remember: El Colorado is for everyone”.

The average depth of powder snow is 3.5 metres. The services available in the centre include hotels, top class restaurants, equipment hire, ski school etc.

The neighbouring resort of Farellones is 32 kilometres from Santiago, and although the village is connected with El Colorado it is an independent centre with 53 draglifts, restaurant services and a ski school. It is the only resort in the area where mountain village life continues year round; the roads up to La Parva and Valle Nevado start from here. The centre offers summer visitors the opportunity to go trekking or mountain biking.

These two resorts are the closest to Santiago and the most popular with the residents of the capital.

The 2009 season is already open. The season normally starts in the second half of June and runs through to the first half of October.