Ski Touring the Patagonian Volcanoes

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.

PATAGONIA SKI TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

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!

8-Day Patagonia Volcanoes Trip Details

• Ski:Guide Ratio: 6:1
• Pricing:   $4,000 pp (est. price based on 8-day trip)
• Trip Length: 8-day trip (does not include travel to/from meeting place)
• Skill Level:  Intermediate to advanced
• The Meeting Point: The journey begins by meeting in Temuco on Sept 3rd. From there we'll drive two hours to Malalcahuello. 
  • Generally we aim to arrive early to allow time for an afternoon relaxing such as the option to sample the natural hot springs and prepare ourselves for the long days of ski touring ahead of us.

When is the best time to book  Patagonia Volcanoes Ski Trip?

• Generally, the best time to book Patagonia Ski Trip is between September and November. 

What's the best way to book with ITCOG

• To request to join 8-day trip leaving Sept 3rd: Simple click on the 'Reserve' tab to submit your information. We'll email you info and reach out to you
• To request a custom trip, such as different dates, trip length, larger group sizes, etc. call us 801-742-1460 or send us a message
• For general questions, send us a message. 

8-Day Patgonia Volcanoes Ski Tour

Combining world-class back-country skiing, superb views, pristine wilderness, cozy rustic hotels, and exquisite natural hot springs in which to relax and restore tired muscles, this sensational ski touring experience has it all.

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrive in Temuco

Arrive in Temuco and drive 2 hours to Malalcahuello.
Flights should arrive by early afternoon.

Day 2

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 3

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 4

Resort town of Pucon

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 5

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 6

Puerto Varas

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 7

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.

Day 8

Depart Puerto Montt • 46' | 14M

An extremely important day for the success of the trip as this is our cushion. A multitude of things beyond our control can be thrown at us but with flexibility being the key and having this cushion we can sidestep a little and carry on with the grins never wavering. If all goes according to plan however then we have an extra day of skiing in the Zermatt area where there is enough to fill another ski vacation all on its own or strudels and café to your heart’s content.

Note: The cost of your trip includes your land costs (excluding in-town meals)

WHAT's INCLUDEDD PATAGONIA TOUR?

• Meals on the mountain
• Group camping and climbing equipment
• Base camp and mountain infrastructure
• Scheduled transportation while in the countries we arevisiting
• Certified guides

What's Not Includes in Patagonia Trip?

• 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
• Other personal expenses
• Airport transportation for early arrival/late departures outside of the scheduled itinerary
• The costs of delays or itinerary changes beyond ITCOG’s control or its agents are not included.