Overview of Skiing Volcanoes in Patagonia
- SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
- DURATION: 8 Days
- Four Skiers per Ski Guide. Maximum group size 6.
Northern hemisphere ski season is over; you've built up your ski touring and ski mountaineering skills, and now you're thinking about the next step to take those skills abroad. The lake district of southern Chile is a journey that delivers the critical components of adventure, culture, and excellent ski touring.
The volcanoes of southern Chile as an area that delivers everything we look for in a high-quality expedition.
Stunning snow-covered volcanoes climb out of the woodland like guardians guarding the Shangri-la, alluring skiers to enjoy their slopes. Excellent corn-snow skiing with slopes between 30-45 degrees as we search for the best conditions day after day on wide-open slopes.
The journey starts as we arrive in Temuco after a long journey and drive two hours to Malalcahuello. We suggest arriving early in the day so that we can spend the afternoon relaxing. Conceivably we'll have the option to sample the natural hot springs and prepare ourselves for the long days of ski touring ahead of us.
- Climb and ski four Andean volcanoes in eight days: Volcán Lonquimay (9,400' | 2,865m), Volcán Llaima (10,253' | 3,125m), Volcán Villarica (9,341' | 2,847m), and Volcán Osorno (8,701' | 2,652m)!
- Build your ski mountaineering knowledge with instruction and practice on fun and challenging terrain.
- Experience the beautiful landscapes and welcoming culture of Southern Chile.
- Our stays in comfy Chilean lodges combined with day ascents make this trip a truly unique experience of comfort and ski mountaineering!
Trip Details
Itinerary
Day One: Arrive in Temuco and drive 2 hours to Malalcahuello. Flights should arrive by early afternoon.
Day Two: LONQUIMAY VOLCANO. We transit to the base of the Corralco ski area, found on the Lonquimay Volcano. We ride the chairlift to the ski area's highest point and then make an ascent of this beautiful and accessible peak. At the summit, we'll marvel at the dramatic views of the region's other stunning volcanoes and then make our long, long descent.
We will spend the night again in Malalcahuello and soak again in hot springs.
Day Three: LLAIMA VOLCANO. We'll make an early transfer to Las Araucarias Ski Resort at the base of the Llaima Volcano. We will ascend and ski down this impressive volcano with its vast crater, twin peaks with spectacular smoking fumaroles, and araucaria forests. We transfer to the hotel in Pucón.
Day Four: We leave Malalcahuello and drive to the resort town of Pucon. This busy little Chilean ski town sits on the shores of the beautiful Lake Villarrica, with Volcán Villarrica towering impressively above the town. The afternoon is free for participants to explore Pucon, including another opportunity for relaxing in termas (hot springs). Overnight in Pucon.
Day Five: VILLARICA SUMMIT DAY • 9,341' | 2,847M
Like other volcanoes, our climb on Villarrica commences from the base of a small ski area called Ski Pucon. Being our third volcano of the trip, we're starting to get in the groove of these summit days by this point. We skin half to two-thirds of the way to the summit before transitioning to boot crampons. The 5,000 vertical foot climb to the summit of Villarrica takes about 5 hours. In good conditions, the descent back to the parking lot only takes 25 minutes! Overnight in Pucon.
Day Six: Nearing the end of our trip, day 6 brings us to Puerto Varas, a beautiful city on Lake Llanquihue. Across the lake, we'll have views of our next objective, the Osorno Volcano. Today we rest and tour the city, always keeping an eye on Osorno.
Day Seven: OSORNO VOLCANO
Our final day of touring brings us to the base of Osorno. It's a 1-hour drive from Puerto Varas; similar to Villarrica and Lonquimay, Osorno features a 5,000' ascent, and we're able to skin a for a good portion of this elevation gain. Some years getting to the summit can involve a couple of exciting rope lengths of climbing rime ice, in which case we leave our skis behind for the last stretch. In other years, the route is snow-covered, allowing us to ski from the summit. We high-five on top, enjoying 360° views of the lakes surrounding the mountain, including Lake Llanquihue and Todos Los Santos Lake. Our final big ski run of the trip. We memorialize our last evening in the attractive village of Puerto Varas. (B)
Day Eight: DEPART PUERTO MONTT • 46' | 14M
The trip wraps up in Puerto Montt, a beautiful city on the shores of the pacific ocean. You'll catch your first flight home here as we say goodbye to an eye-opening and adventurous trip to the volcanoes of southern Chile.
Certified Guides
Our Patagonian Volcanoes Tours are guided by one or more Benegas Brothers IFMGA/AMGA certified lead guides. AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) certification is the most prestigious globally, accomplished only by the most professional and dedicated guides.
Our lead guides have traveled and climbed considerably throughout South America and possess intimate knowledge of the Patagonian Volcanoes merged with a passion for teaching others, ensuring an adventure you won't soon forget.
FAQs
What sort of experience is required to join this trip?
This trip is suitable for advanced backcountry skiers and riders only. You must be very comfortable on steep terrain and have a minimum of 20 days of touring experience.
Do I need to purchase trip and rescue insurance?
We require purchasing trip insurance, and we also require rescue insurance on all expeditions. Trip insurance covers issues that would cause you to cancel your trip in advance. We recommend Ripcord for both types of insurance.
What is included in the price?
The trip pricing includes airport transfers, in-country transport, all lodging, breakfast, and dinner each day, a certified ski guide, and all necessary park permits.
Are Covid vaccinations required?
Our leadership has required all participants to be vaccinated for international travel. We have made this safety measure to protect our clients, our guide team, and the local people we interact with during our expeditions. We desire to do our utmost to mitigate the risk of Covid disrupting our expeditions. Keeping our teams immunized has become vital in our risk management system with international travel. Please contact us if you have any questions or issues regarding this decision. We'd be happy to hop on a call and discuss this further.
Trip Cost Includes:
THE COST OF YOUR TRIP INCLUDES YOUR LAND COSTS (EXCLUDING IN-TOWN MEALS). THIS INCLUDES:
- Double occupancy lodging while in town, according to the itinerary
- Meals on the mountain
- Group camping and climbing equipment
- Base camp and mountain infrastructure
- Scheduled transportation while in the countries we are visiting
- Certified guides
- Covid testing arrangements for re-entry into the home country (does not include the cost of the test)
THE COST OF YOUR TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
- Flights to/from the city where the expedition begins
- Additional nights in a hotel outside of the itinerary include but are not limited to extra hotel nights due to early summit bids and early departure from the mountains.
- Airport taxes
- Visas
- In-town meals
- Immunizations
- Tips for guides or local staff
- Travel, rescue, or any other type of insurance
- Hospitalization or evacuation costs
- Single supplement room charges
- Excess baggage charges
- Alcohol
- Antigen/PCR Covid test cost
- Other personal expenses
- Airport transportation for early arrival/late departures outside of the scheduled itinerary
- The costs of delays or itinerary changes beyond Benegas Brothers Expeditions’ control or its agents are not included.
