Santiago Ski Shops

Shopping opportunities for ski and snowboard gear is somewhat limited up at the ski resorts, so if you’re after hardwear or outer wear, your best bet is to go to one of the Santiago ski shops. Actually your best bet is to buy equipment and clothing before you arrive in Chile, as the ski and snowboard gear is generally more expensive than many other parts of the world.

Most of the Santiago ski shops are located in Las Condes, an eastern district of Santiago that is close to the mountains. Several shops are located on Avenida Apoquindo or Av Las Condes on the way out to the Tres Valles ski resorts. Most ski and snowboard shops have the 3Rs – rental, retail and repair - and many of them offer transport up to the resorts.

Nautisport (Avenida Las Condes, 8606) have a good range of skis and snowboards for sale, with an emphasis on Rossignol and Salomon gear. La Bolsa del Ski, also on Av Las Condes, has a range of retail hardwear.

Santiago Ski Rentals and Snowboard Rental

For standard and performance equipment hire, try XScape (Camino Farellones 14345 Las Condes – just after the turn-off from Av Las Condes). Michael the owner and his staff provide great professional service and speak English which can be rather handy. Trying to explain in Spanglish that the fit of your boots isn’t quite right can be somewhat tricky. In addition to snowboard and ski hire, the shop rents out parkas and pants, gloves, goggles, sleds and snow chains for the car. Chain rental is reasonably priced and it could be better to rent from these guys rather than have to haggle with the men up the mountain who will undoubtedly try to rip you off (especially if you have blonde hair)! If you’re skiing in Chile for a while, you may want to consider buying chains (and selling them later). Xscape sell chains.

If you’re looking to rent fat skis in Santiago you may have a bit of difficulty. Many ski shops in Santiago seem to think that skis with a waist of 80mm are fat! KL Adventures (on Camino de Farellones just after the turn-off from Av Las Condes near Xscape) have a small range of powder skis, so it’s probably best to book in advance if you need fatties.