In article ,
Ted Waldron wrote:

I am thinking of skiing somewhere in Chile for a few days in early
August. I considered Valle Nevado, but hotel rates gave me a bit of a
sticker shock: it looks like the cheapest rooms (Tres Puntas) go for
$400 per night, assuming 2 people.

My guess on the Valle Nevado rates, is that includes everything, (except
the I.V.A, Chile's version of the VAT) lift tickets, food.

The rates are all-inclusive, but considering that tickets are only $35
per day or so, and I can't imagine food being worth more than $30 a
day per person (which the most I would spend if it weren't included),
the cost of the room is still $270 per night, which is way too expensive
for my taste.

"Regular Folks" has other options than the beautiful people. There are
plenty of places in Farellones, like the Hotel La Cornisa, which I believe
has shuttle service to all the ski areas, (El Colorado, La Parva, Valle
Nevado) there website is http://www.chile-hotels.com/farecorni.htm.

Thanks, this is helpful. $55 per room is much more reasonable than
$270.

Do you know by any chance how long it takes to get from Farellones
to Valle Nevado by shuttle? I understand that the El Colorado lift
system connects with Valle Nevado, but I can't figure out if staying
in Farellones and skiing Valle Nevado is a viable option, or we'll
just spend the entire day getting there and back.

http://www.hostelchile.com/hosteldet...telNumber.6667
http://www.forestal.uchile.cl/bienestar_03.htm

Now you are talking

Since you seem to know quite a bit about the area, is staying in
Santiago and doing daytrips to Valle Nevado feasible? One possible
advantage is that if the weather is bad, we can just stay in Santiago
instead of being stuck on the mountain.

Termas de Chillan, is IMHO, definitely worth the visit, there lodging
ranges from 4 star hotels like the Gran Hotel to Refugios and Albergues, aka
Youth Hostels. Here is some rates for Hotel Pirigallo, a very nice place
with lots of hots springs, (Termas=Thermals)

http://www.chileanski.com/eng/termas...-pirigallo.htm

Pricy...

How does Termas de Chillan compare with Valle Nevado? If we can do
only one or the other, which one is a better pick? Termas de Chillan
seems a bit of a pain to get to.

Thanks!