The three resorts of El Colorado, Valle Nevado and La Parva are (sometimes!) linked, you can buy a pass for all three. We mostly spent our time at El Colorado, there's lots of lovely off-piste, and a few fun black runs as well as plenty of reds and blues. There are no trees to crash into (you're more likely to find cacti), and you get an amazing view of Santiago from the slopes! Beware of altitude sickness on the way up, its an extremely steep and windy road (don't eat your lunch just before going!!)

Prices for hotels, lift passes etc are about the same as in France, equipment rental is a bit cheaper. You can find second hand shops in Santiago selling all the clothes and if you're lucky you might find some second hand boots in your size.

The season starts mid June, we went around the 21st June last year and had amazing powder! And of course the novelty of "mid summer" boarding!! The locals all go at the weekend, so it will be busier (it's very near to Santiago) but lift passers are cheaper in the week. Check whether the right lifts are open to connect the resorts before making your choice of lift pass and pistes! El Colorado is more of a local resort, while Valle Nevado has a lot of tourists from the UK etc.

We stayed in an amazing little hostel - Refugio Aleman which I would definitely recommend!! The hostel is in Farellones, a little village at the bottom of the last slope down from El Colorado. They provide all meals (veggies welcome) and are amazing chefs!
In Santiago itself (cos that's where you'll be flying to if you go) I recommend Bella Vista hostel

Warning! There is no bus service between the resorts, you need to organise transport with the hostel or befriend some locals/hitchhike!

Nightlife: the hostel has a nice little bar with a perfectly placed window to watch the sun set over the city below, and on the foot of the slope from Farellones there's a bar where we saw an amazing U2 cover band that drew half of Santiago up for the night! This bar also has internet access.