MTB School in Santiago – AMBA Escuela de Mountainbike

AMBA Escuela de Mountainbike is a dedicated MTB school in Santiago, teaching children and adults to ride the hills that surround Chile’s capital with better technique and more confidence. The school runs regular group classes, a monthly skills programme, a kids’ programme, guided outings and camps, all with a strong community feel.

AMBA is led by Juan Pablo Garrido and Juan Sebastián Garrido, both listed on the school’s website as coaches certified by the Global Syndicate of Mountain Bike Coaches (GSMBC), an international mountain bike coaching certification. Their teaching focuses on body position, bike control, line choice and setting your bike up for the terrain, so that every rider leaves with skills they can use on their next ride.

Classes are kept deliberately small, with no more than six riders per group, which means plenty of individual attention and time on the bike rather than waiting around. Riders are grouped by level, so beginners can build solid fundamentals while more experienced riders work on speed, flow and tackling steeper, rockier terrain. Beyond the classes, AMBA has built a lively riding community, with shared outings, camps and a racing club that give students a reason to keep riding and progressing between sessions.

What AMBA offers

• Drop-in group classes of 1.5 to 2 hours, with a maximum of six riders and no monthly commitment.
• Grupal Fundamental – a monthly block of four classes for beginner to intermediate riders.
• Kids’ classes for children aged 7 and over, grouped by age and technical level.
• Cerro San Cristóbal skills experience – a half-day session on control and line choice, with photos.
• Summer camp at the Nevados de Chillán bike park, plus planned trips abroad.
• Club racing for riders who want to take their riding to competition.

The riding around Santiago

• Cerro San Cristóbal (Parque Metropolitano) – the city’s best-known hill, with trails and climbs right in the middle of Santiago.
• Farellones – high Andean terrain above the city, with big views and longer descents in the warmer months.
• Nevados de Chillán bike park – a mountain resort further south used for AMBA’s summer camp.

When to ride

Santiago’s foothills can be ridden almost all year. Spring and autumn give the most pleasant temperatures, summer is hot and dry so early starts are best, and winter can bring rain and snow on higher ground such as Farellones. AMBA does not list a fixed season, so check the latest class dates directly.

Getting to Santiago

Santiago is served by Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), which is about 30 minutes by road from the city centre. Cerro San Cristóbal is easy to reach from neighbourhoods such as Providencia and Recoleta, and the Santiago Metro gets you close to the park entrances.

Tips for your MTB school in Santiago sessions

• Bring your own bike in good working order – bike hire is not mentioned for classes.
• Take enough water and sun cream; Santiago’s hills are dry and exposed.
• Book through WhatsApp early, as groups are capped at six riders.
• Choose the Grupal Fundamental block if you want steady progress over a month.

Book your ride with AMBA

For class dates, kids’ groups and camps, visit the official website.