Major city · Chile
El Colorado
Go as a day trip from Santiago if you want to ski or snowboard; sleep one night only for first tracks. Road runs one-way on winter weekends.
El Colorado is a ski resort about 40 km east of Santiago, up a narrow mountain road with more than 20 switchbacks. It has restaurants, equipment rental, and ski and snowboard schools. Most visitors come for the day; the documented bed is the Colorado Apartment Hotel at the base, next to the El Cururo chair lift.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CLP
- Best months
- check (winter season; confirm dates with the resort)
- avoid check
- Airport
- Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Chile ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Chile's National Migration Service or a Chilean consulate; keep the entry slip or digital record you receive.
- Chile ↗Torres del Paine: campsites and refugios on the W and O treks must be booked in advance, and the park requires an entry ticket bought ahead; check the official park (CONAF) channels.
- Chile ↗Chile strictly controls food imports: declare fruit, meat, dairy, seeds and honey on arrival, or throw them away before customs.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for El Colorado133 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about El Colorado, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Chilean peso (CLP, $).Chile-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEntel, Movistar, WOM and Claro sell prepaid SIMs; foreign phones may need IMEI registration after a period — check.Chile-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities; boil or filter in rural areas and on treks.Chile-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% suggested on the bill; you may decline.Chile-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Chile-wide
- SafetyThe main risk is the mountain road: narrow, switchbacks, and one-way on weekends.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin in older buildings; bus terminals charge.Chile-wide
- Emergency numbers133 police · 132 fire · 131 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany businesses close on 18–19 September; Sunday trading is limited in small towns.Chile-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckSCL Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (Reach El Colorado via Santiago; onward travel time is check.).
- Getting aroundThe hamlet is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at baseCLP 2,000–4,000 (check)
- Metro or bus rideRound-trip bus from Santiagoabout CLP 12,000
- Budget bedColorado Apartment Hotel (2–7 people), a night, per roomCLP 90,000
- Mid-range bedColorado Apartment Hotel (studio), a night, per roomCLP 80,000
- High-end bedColorado Apartment Hotel (studio), a night, per roomCLP 120,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CLP 30,000 · Mid CLP 50,000 · High CLP 80,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SCL Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (Reach El Colorado via Santiago; onward travel time is check.)
Map of El Colorado
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- El Colorado
- Full city guide
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- La Parva · 1.5 km straight line
- Farellones · 2.0 km straight line
- Valle Nevado · 4.0 km straight line
- Santiago · 35 km straight line · full guide
- Portillo · 62 km straight line
- Los Andes · 64 km straight line
- Rancagua · 100 km straight line
Weather and climate
El Colorado: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The hamlet is walkable. In season the resort runs a shuttle between the hamlet and the mountain base; confirm times with the resort.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: check
Road from El Colorado
Adjacent resort; travel time and any combined pass are check.
Door to door: check
Road from El Colorado
Smaller ski area down the road; travel time and prices are check.
Door to door: check
Road from El Colorado
Return to the city for dinner and nightlife; travel time is check.
Door to door: check
Road via Santiago and Los Andes
Further up the same valley; sleep there rather than day-trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
El Colorado hamlet
Colorado Apartment Hotel sits at the base, 10 m from the El Cururo chair lift; check-in 16:00, check-out 11:00. Other options are check.Colorado Apartment Hotel sits at the base, 10 m from the El Cururo chair lift; check-in 4:00 PM, check-out 11:00 AM. Other options are check.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CLP 30,000–50,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- CLP 50,000–80,000 excl. bed
- High
- CLP 80,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Colorado Apartment Hotel (studio)1 × 1 night × CLP 80,000 | CLP 80,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CLP 50,000 | CLP 100,000 |
| Round-trip bus from Santiago2 × CLP 12,000 | CLP 24,000 |
| Ski lift pass (day)2 × CLP 45,000 | CLP 90,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CLP 29,400 |
| Trip total≈ CLP 161,700 per person per day, bed included | CLP 323,400 |
Rate includes breakfast and dinner; confirm the current price with the hotel.
2026 estimate in CLP; flights and ski gear rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Round-trip bus from Santiago | about CLP 12,000 |
| Ski lift pass (day) | CLP 35,000–55,000 (check) |
| Equipment rental (skis, boots, poles) | CLP 20,000–35,000 (check) |
| Coffee at base | CLP 2,000–4,000 (check) |
| Lunch at mountain restaurant | CLP 8,000–15,000 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road often runs one-way on winter weekends: up in the morning, down in the afternoon.
- Narrow route with over 20 switchbacks; check road conditions before driving.
- Altitude is about 2,800 m: drink water and take it easy the first hour.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 133
- Fire
- 132
- Ambulance
- 131
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
El ColoradoEl Colorado
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Al centro de esquí El ColoradoTo El Colorado ski resort
Emergency
- Police133
- Fire132
- Ambulance131
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Santiago → El Colorado (round trip): about CLP 12,000
- Taxi Santiago → El Colorado: CLP 40,000–60,000 (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta un pase de esquí? — How much does a lift pass cost? (KWAN-to KWES-ta un PAH-se de es-KEE)
- ¿Dónde puedo alquilar equipo? — Where can I rent equipment? (DON-de PWE-do al-kee-LAR e-KEE-po)
- ¿La carretera está abierta en ambos sentidos? — Is the road open both ways? (La ka-rre-TE-ra es-TA a-BYER-ta en AM-bos sen-TEE-dos)
- Un pase de un día, por favor — One day pass, please (OON PAH-se de oon DEE-a, por fa-VOR)
Altitude is about 2,800 m; drink water and take it easy the first hour.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for El Colorado. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: check (winter season; confirm dates with the resort) · avoid check
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ski pass pricing and availability for the 2026 season.
- Road status widget (one-way / both directions).
- Bus schedule and fare verification from Santiago.
Sources
Ask about El Colorado
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