Chronicles of a White Friday in the Andes: Farellones & La Parva

The sun has just begun to graze the peaks, and at 7,500 feet, the air hits your lungs with a purity found only in the high mountains. It’s Friday, and the season has kicked off early, catching everyone by surprise. Farellones wakes up looking like an Alpine postcard—the snow is "rica" (perfect), as the locals say: crisp from the midnight freeze and ready for the first enthusiasts who swapped the office for the slopes.

1. The Awakening of the White Beast

By early morning, the mountain is already buzzing. Farellones, the natural balcony overlooking a cloud-covered Santiago, displays pristine white runs. Children are already prepping their "Landy" tubes to fly down the hills. What used to be an improvised game is now a massive tourist draw, yet the adrenaline remains raw and unchanged.

The drive up is a slow parade of cautious drivers. A single patch of water on the asphalt can be a "black ice" trap at this altitude. The heavy snow finally claims the landscape at Curve 40, marking the true gateway to the heart of the winter resort.

2. The Four-Legged Ninjas: Elian, Rex, and Galilea

One of the most fascinating encounters this morning is with the 53rd Police Precinct of Lo Barnechea. But the spotlight isn't on the green uniforms; it’s on the four-legged "ninjas." Elian, a charismatic Golden Retriever, greets us through protective goggles.

This isn't a fashion statement—their gear is pure safety engineering. They wear specialized rubber-soled boots to prevent ice burns and slipping. Their institutional capes stand out against the infinite white, and their goggles protect them from the fierce high-altitude UV rays. These dogs are trained for everything from public order to GOPE aeromedical evacuations. They are friendly but disciplined; they won't even accept a "TikTok paw challenge" without a direct order from their handler.

3. La Parva: Stone, Wood, and Infinity

Moving up to 8,800 feet, we reach La Parva. The landscape shifts. Here, architecture takes center stage—construction that defies gravity, blending warm wood with solid stone. It feels more intimate, a village where "A-frame" cabins live alongside modern buildings that seem to hang off the cliffs.

La Parva has a unique mysticism. Because of the steep terrain, you might enter an apartment on the third floor from the street level. This year, luck was on their side: a massive snowfall in May jumpstarted the entire 2026 calendar.

4. Mountain Law: Safety First

Despite the beauty, the mountain has rules. While the weather looks clear for the weekend, carrying snow chains is a religion. You don't head up without them when the mountain decides it’s time.

Mandatory Traffic Hours:

• Uphill: 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM.

• Downhill: 03:00 PM to 08:00 PM.

The message is clear: descend with patience. Traffic jams are part of the experience—take them with the same calm you use to breathe the pure summit air.

Final Verdict: A Perfect Start

The morning ends with a mountain that is already "full snow." Resorts like El Colorado, La Parva, and Valle Nevado have swung their doors open. Santiago can wait down below in its daily gray haze, while up here at 7,500 feet, life is experienced in high definition.