How to Get There and Where to Stay on Chile’s Slopes

Getting there: LanChile flies twice weekly (Wednesday and Friday) direct from Los Angeles to Santiago. Round-trip fares range from $1,107 to $1,824. Call (800) 735-5526. The ski season is mid-June through September, except for Chillan, which opens in May and closes Oct. 30. Daily lift rates are currently $15 a day in all four major ski areas--Chillan, La Parva, Valle Nevado and Portillo.

Where to stay: La Parva: 35 miles from Santiago. Accessible by bus, taxi, helicopter. For reservations, write La Parva, Roger de Flor 2911, Santiago, Chile. A seven-day ski week includes three meals, lift tickets and taxes. Rates (all accommodations listed are per person, double occupancy and include taxes): Aug. 4 to Sept. 8, $545; Sept. 6-22, $420. Heli-skiing is available through Andes Powder Guides, P.O. Box 52/57, Correo Central, Santiago, Chile.

Valle Nevado: 40 miles from Santiago, via car, bus, taxi, helicopter. For reservations, write Valle Nevado, Renato Sanchez 4332, Santiago. Seven-day ski week (Friday to Friday) includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea and taxes. Rates: July 28-Sept. 15, $847-$938; Sept. 15-Oct. 15, $595-$665. Daily hotel rates with breakfast start at $70. Condominiums without breakfast range from $40 to $95.

Portillo: 91 miles from Santiago, via car, bus, taxi. Season is June 15-Sept. 30. For reservations, write Portillo, Roger de Flor 2911, Santiago (same office as La Parva).

Seven-day package includes lifts, three meals, tea and taxes. Rates: now through Sept. 8, $760-$860; Sept. 9-30, $585-645. The more expensive rooms have lake views. On a daily basis, a double room with three meals, tea and lift ticket July 29-Sept. 9 costs $248-$281; June and after Sept. 9, from $186-$211; July 29-Sept. 9, $248-$281.

Chillan: 350 miles from Santiago, via bus, train or air (Ladeco). For reservations: Termas de Chillan, Providencia 2237 Local B, Santiago.

Seven-day package includes lifts, meals, lessons, taxes. Rates: Aug. 18-Sept. 7, $470-$550; now through Aug. 17 and Sept. 8-21, $560-$670. Daily rates are $69, three meals included.

For more information: Contact the Chilean National Tourist Board, 510 W. 6th St., Suite 1210, Los Angeles 90014, (213) 627-4293. Also, Path Tours, 12444 Victory Blvd., Suite 407, North Hollywood 91606, (818) 980-4442.