I don't think there is a whole lot to see in SCL itself. Most people travel to Valparaiso or Vina del Mar, if staying in that "immediate" area. Yes January is the busy time but you can easily fly into Punta Arenas and rent a car to drive to Torres del Paine where you should spend at least 3 nights-depending on what you like to do. If you are merely driving and looking then that is enough but if you would like to do some hiking, then maybe four nights is better. The problem is finding accommodations this late in the game. There is no place else like Torres del Paine, but you could go to the Chilean Lakes region around Puerto Montt-though there will not be any glaciers.