THE SOUTHERN CROSS - Ski in Chile

Added in 2004, our Southern Cross itinerary is geared for advanced and expert –level skiers and snowboarders looking to summit and ski/ride volcanoes in Chile's Lake District. This tour is ideal for skiers and snowboarders who want to get off the beaten path, earn their turns and experience some of the most beautiful zones of Southern Chile. This 12 day tour starts in Pucon, where we attempt to climb Chile’s most active volcano, Volcan Villarrica, then works north to Volcano Lonquimay OR Volcan Llaima to summit and ski these remote peaks, and finishes with four days at Nevados de Chillan, our favorite resort in South America with 3 volcanoes rising above its lifts.

Join us on our Southern Cross adventure through Chile’s Ring of Fire, skiing and snowboarding snow- covered volcanoes while challenging yourself in one of the more remote areas of the Andes.

Participants must be in good to excellent physical condition, and be advanced to expert level skiers / snowboarders.

Trip Departures

SEPT 22 - OCT 3

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Trips Specs

Ability Levels:

Cost: $3,295 (double occupancy**)
Number of Days: 12
Resorts Visited: Corralco/Arenales (Lonquimay), Pucon-Villarrica, Nevados de Chillan
Type of Skiing / Riding: Lift access on-piste, lift access off-piste, lift access backcountry touring.
Number of Guests: 10 maximum
Number of Guides: 2 (1:5 guide ratio)

What's Included

3 nights Pucon
3 nights Lonquimay
5 nights Las Trancas
All breakfasts & dinners
1:5 guide to guest ratio
All lift passes on tour
Domestic flight Santiago to Temuco
All ground transportation on tour
Use of avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel
Use of 2-way radio

** Private single supplement $795

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - ARRIVE SANTIAGO - FLY TO TEMUCO/PUCON

Arrive Santiago Int’l airport where you will be met by your CASA guides. When scheduling flights, please be sure to arrive before 10:00 AM. We will make a quick connection flight to the city of Temuco where your CASA vans will be waiting to take you to Pucon (1.5 hours drive). Pucon lies nestled in the shadow of Volcan Villarrica, Chile’s most active volcano.

Pucon has lots of great restaurants and bars - “Mamas and Tapas” is a great place to sit by the fire and chat with locals and international travelers alike. Our cozy lodgings at Cabañas Ruca-Malal includes wood-burning stoves and lies only a short walk from downtown.

Days 2-3 - SUMMIT VOLCAN VILLARRICA

We will have two days for our summit attempt on Villarrica, allowing us some flexibility for the right weather conditions. This 4 to 6 hour guided climb is not technical, but is strenuous. Upon reaching the summit of the active volcano, you can look deep into a monstrous, steaming caldera and watch lava spurt into the sky! On a clear day, you can see across the peaks of the Andes all the way to Argentina. Views from Villarrica are some of the most beautiful in all of Chile, a vista of the surrounding volcanoes and lakes. To get down, click in, strap on, and commence carving.

Whichever day we do not spend hiking the volcano, we will ride the lifts at the ski resort built on lower slopes of Villarrica, skiing the intricate lava flows and natural half pipes. Pucon also offers some of the most amazing hotsprings in the world, perfect to soak our tired bones.

Day 4 - TRAVEL TO LONQUIMAY OR LLAIMA

On the morning of Day 4, we will make a decision based on weather and snow forecasts - head to Lonquimay or Llaima? The town of Lonquimay, a beautiful destination serving the Volcano Lonquimay, is way off the beaten toursit path. Our comfortable home, The Andean Rose, is located along the banks of the Rio Cautin. Llaima is equally remote, in an araucaria forest. Both volcanoes are incredibly beautiful, and offer great backcountry adventure.

Days 5-6 - SUMMIT LONQUIMAY / LLAIMA

At Lonquimay, we spend 2 days visiting the off the beaten track resort, Corralco. With the right conditions, we will make a 2 to 4 hour summit attempt to get a truly spectacular view of the surrounding Andes. OR - at Llaima, we will spend two days exploring the resort Araucarias, riding the lifts, hitching rides on snowcats into the backcountry, and watching the weather for an opportunity to summit Volcan Llaima, a 3 to 5 hour climb into the heavens.

Day 7 - TRAVEL TO TERMAS DE CHILLAN

On day seven, we will journey north to the city of Las Trancas, near the resort at Termas de Chillan. Spend the day watching the Chilean countryside and let your legs recover from all the fun. The Salto del Laja, an impressive waterfall, is a great place to stop and snap some pictures. The city of Chillan, one hour from our final destination, is noted for having Chile’s finest artesan market. We will stop there to have a meal and wander the marketplace before continuing on to Las Trancas.

Days 8-11 - SKI/RIDE/ SUMMIT NEVADOS DE CHILLAN

We will spend four days staying in the comfort of our CASA casa, Cabañas Los Andes. These private cabins will serve as our home base while exploring the stellar terrain and backcountry at Nevados de Chillan. Chillan is known for having consistently the best snow conditions in Chile and is generally the highlight of all our Chilean tours.

Within the span of the four days we will tour amazing off-piste terrain, waiting for the right conditions to mount summit attempts on Volcan Chillan and the adjacent Volcan Nevados de Chillan. Both Volcanoes offer breathtaking views and some of the best skiing in all of South America. Our last night includes an “asado” - Chilean BBQ. Enjoy the traditional steak, chicken and sausage prepared by our Chilean hosts.