Epic Adventure
Volcano Skiing in Chile
Volcano skiing and splitboarding in Chile with the best guest to guide ratios in the business! All of our trips are based on four guests to one certified ACMG guide. Our nine day volcano ski mountaineering trips are an incredible adventure in the Araucánia region of Chile. Enjoy skiing volcanoes like Lonquimay, Lliama, Rucapillán ( Villarica), Sierra Nevada, Quetrupillan in a small group atmosphere.
Chile Volcano Ski Mountaineering
ARAUCANÍA REGION, SOUTHERN CHILE
The volcanoes in Chile’s Araucania region are prime for backcountry skiing and splitboarding. A blend of epic ski descents, small towns, national parks, volcanoes, hot springs and comfortable accommodations make this tour an incredible adventure. While we layout an itinerary, we request that you remain flexible as we may alter it due to conditions or volcanic activity (As was the case in October of 2023.).
Details
Dates September 26-October 4, 2024
Sample Itinerary
We’ve run a similar program the past two years and have had great ski conditions on the volcanoes of the Araucaniá region.
- Trip length- Nine days
- Volcanoes: Lonquimay, Sierra Nevada, Llaima, Villarrica and Quetrupillan
- Day 1 Arrive in Temuco. Your guide will meet you at the airport. Enjoy a two hour drive through lush Chilean farm lands and into the mountains. Check into accommodations and welcome dinner.
- Day 2: From our comfortable base in Malalcahuello we’ll head to volcan Lonquimay. The Corralco ski area is at the base, which makes for a fun Chilean atmosphere.
- Day 3 Ski Sierra Nevada or Llaima.
- Day 4 ski volcan Lliama. The prize of the Araucaniá region, hitting the north face in prime conditions makes for a 1900+m run!
- Day 5 More skiing around Malalcahuello. Après hot springs and local Chilean cuisine in Malacahuello
- Day 6 Transfer to Pucón We’ll enjoy a slow morning and drive to Pucón. After checking into our accommodations we’ll head into town for dinner.
- Day 7 From Pucón, we’ll ski volcanoes Villarrica, or Quetrupillan
- Day 8 From Pucón, we’ll ski volcanoes Villarrica, or Quetrupillan.
- Pucón offers plenty of great restaurants and local hot springs.
- Day 9Transfer to Temuco
- Other possible volcano objectives are: Antuco, Sollipulli, Mocho Choshuenco, Puyehue, Osorno and more…
Price $ 3950 USD
Four spaces available
-Exclusive small group size
-Four guests to one guide
-Lodging-We stay at locally run establishments that are clean, comfortable and distinctly Chilean. Accommodations are based on double occupancy, if you’d like private accommodations, we can arrange that for you for an additional fee.
-Food is a personal choice, we prefer to let you choose what you’d like to eat rather than offer a fixed menu.
-Transportation (4×4 vehicle)
-One visit to local hot springs. (More hot spring trips can be arranged at an additional cost.)
-Tailgate après when appropriate—it’s always nice to enjoy a cold beverage after a long day in the mountains.
While this is a backcountry ski and splitboard adventure, we make sure you get to enjoy Chilean food and culture. For the backcountry enthusiast who likes to travel, backcountry skiing in Chile is an incredible adventure.
Skiing the Andean Ring of Fire
Chile Volcano Ski Mountaineering
North of Patagonia, Southern Chile’s Araucanía Region is known for old growth coihues, monkey puzzle trees (Aruacarías) and striking landscapes. It is also home to Mapuche people, an indigenous group in Chile. Snow-plastered cone-shaped volcanos jut up from lush green valleys, while wild rivers flow towards the ocean. Many of these volcanoes are still active – Llaima last erupted in 2009 and Villarrica in 2023!
On this nine day adventure we aim to ski as many volcanoes as possible. The volcanoes are day trips of varying lengths, so we carry day packs and few ski mountaineering tools (ice axe, boot/ski crampons and a harness). Tolhuaca and Lanin are overnight trips. If groups are keen on those two volcanoes, bringing overnight gear will be required.
Safety is number one. In order to safely ski/ride from these summits, good weather, low avalanche hazard and edge-able snow are required. We’ve found late September into mid-October to be the best window for those variables to align.