Chile Sports and Recreation

SOCCER
Soccer, known in South America as fútbol, is undoubtedly the most important sport in Chile—almost all Chilean men and many women take pride in their fútbol skills. Don’t be surprised to see young children playing in blocked-off parking lots and entire families playing in their yards during their free time.
Although the national team tends to fall in the shadows of star South American teams such as Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, Chile is proud of having hosted the World Cup in 1962, when its national team made it to the semifinals for the first (and only) time. Many Chileans enthusiastically follow the ongoing competition between rival teams from the Universidad de Chile (University of Chile), Colo Colo, and the Universidad Católica (Catholic University). If visiting Santiago, make sure to check out a professional game at the Estadio Nacional.

TENNIS
Although Chile’s enthusiasm for tenis (tennis) never quite matches its love of soccer, the country is proud of its world-renowned tennis players. The current Chilean tennis stars are Nicolas Massú and Fernando González, both ranked among the top twenty tennis players in the world.

SKIING
Chile’s ski season lasts from June to October, so skiing and snowboard¬ing fanatics from the northern hemisphere flock to the country each winter to join the many South Americans who hit Chile’s famous slopes. Portillo Ski Resort is the oldest and perhaps most widely known ski establishment in South America, but its steep prices and exclusivity make it inaccessible for many student travelers. Valle Nevado, La Parva, and Farellones/El Colorado, all within 60km of Santiago, are perhaps the best choices for extended stays or daytrips from the capital.

SURFING
During the summer months, Chileans trade their skis for surfboards, hitting the numerous surf spots along the coast in northern and central Chile. The type of surfing available varies by location in the northern region, between Arica and Iquique, the waves are small, but the water is warm and there are many unexplored beaches for the adventurous surfer to navigate. The central region of the country, particularly near Pichilemu, boasts larger waves, but the waters are colder and the surf season is consequentially slightly more limited.