Lonquimay · Llaima · Villarrica · Nevados de Chillán

Chile Volcanoes Ski Touring Expedition

Guided ski touring across Southern Chile's volcanoes, led by UIAGM/IFMGA local certified guides

A multi-day expedition linking several of Southern Chile’s active volcanoes into one continuous ski journey. For confident off-piste skiers, comfortable on skins and crampons.

Why do this tour?

Skiing Chile’s volcanoes is unlike any other ski touring experience. 

  • Ski some of Chile’s most iconic volcanoes, enjoying unforgettable descents in spectacular landscapes.
  • Stay in handpicked boutique hotels including Antumalal, Roca Negra Lodge, and Casa Esquina, combining comfort, charm, and exceptional hospitality.
  • Benefit from a flexible itinerary, adapted daily by your IFMGA guide
  • Enjoy a complete adventure, combining world-class ski touring, premium accommodation, and unforgettable moments in the heart of the Chilean Andes.

Overview

Location

La Araucanía, Chile

Duration

7-10 Days

Level

INTERMEDIATE - Advanced

N° of Volcanoes

4 - 6

Season

September - October

Group Size

3 - 4 people

Price From

3,800 USD per Person

Dates

FIXED collective DATES OR PRIVATE TOURS

This expedition traverses the volcanic arc of Southern Chile, linking some of the country’s most iconic peaks into a fluid, progressive ski journey.

This expedition explores the spectacular volcanic landscapes of Southern Chile through a carefully designed ski touring journey linking the country’s most iconic volcanoes and ancient Araucaria forests.

Depending on the itinerary, you will ski Nevados de Chillán, Volcán Lonquimay, Volcán Llaima, Volcán Villarrica, and the magnificent Araucaria forests, each offering its own unique character, from geothermal terrain and ancient lava flows to perfectly shaped volcanic cones, native forests, and breathtaking summit panoramas.

Rather than following a rigid schedule, the itinerary remains flexible. Your IFMGA guide selects the best objective each day according to snow conditions, weather, and the group’s ability, maximizing both safety and ski quality.

Beyond the skiing, this journey is an immersion into Southern Chile’s unique mountain culture. Boutique lodges, natural hot springs, Mapuche traditions, and exceptional local hospitality make this expedition as rewarding off the skis as it is on them.

Whether you choose the 7-day Classic Route or the 10-day Extended Expedition, this trip offers one of the most complete and diverse ski touring experiences in South America.

Trip Details

Choose a Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Malalcahuello

  • Pickup in Temuco Airport
  • Transfer from Temuco Airport to Casa Esquina
  • Welcome briefing & equipment check
  • Enjoy a chilean asado at Casa Esquina

Day 2 - Volcan Lonquimay Summit (2865 mts)

  • Departure to the ski resort “Corralco”
  • Full day ski touring to the summit of Lonquimay Volcano (2865 mts)
  • Ski down the best face depending on the conditions
  • Enjoy a nice dinner at Casa Esquina

Day 3 - Volcan Llaima Summit (3125 mts)

  • Early departure to the base of Llaima Volcano
  • Full day ski touring to the summit of Llaima Volcano (3125 mts)
  • Ski down the best face depending on the conditions
  • Enjoy a nice dinner at Casa Esquina

Day 4 - Ski touring in “Araucarias Ski Resort”

  • Departure to the ski resort “Araucarias”
  • Ski touring day around Araucarias Ski Resort, have lunch or some snacks with the “Mapuches” Local people from the Araucanian Region
  • Back to Malalcahuello

Day 5 - Drive from Malalcahuello to Pucon

  • Breakfast at the lodge and start driving to Pucon (3 hrs)
  • Enjoy a rest afternoon at Hotel
  • Lake visit or trekking around some beautiful rivers
  • Dinner at Pucon town

Day 6 - Volcan Villarica Summit (2847 mts)

  • Early breakfast at Hotel
  • Full day ski touring to the summit of Villarica Volcano (2847mts) by Voipir route
  • Dinner at Hotel

Day 7 - Pucon to Santiago

  • Early breakfast at Hotel
  • Drive to Temuco Airport and flight back to Santiago

Day 1 — Arrival in Las Trancas

  • Hotel pickup in Santiago
  • Welcome briefing, equipment check, and introduction to the trip
  • Drive from Santiago to Las Trancas (6 hrs)
  • Group dinner at Roca Negra lodge

Day 2 - Aguas Calientes

  • Early departure to Termas de Chillan ski resort
  • Take the lift to the top of the ski resort, traverse and ski to “Aguas Calientes Hotspring”
  • Enjoy a few laps around Aguas Calientes
  • Take time to enjoy the Hotspring
  • Skinning up to the Ski Resort and ski down to the car

Days 3 - Volcan Chillan (3186 mts)

  • Early departure to Termas de Chillan ski resort
  • Skinning up or crampons up to the summit to Volcan Chillan Nuevo Summit (3186 mts)
  • Ski down by Refugio Garganta del Diablo and back to the car

Day 4 - Drive to Malalcahuello

  • Breakfast at the lodge and start driving to Malalcahuello (5 hrs)
  • Enjoy a rest afternoon around Malalcahuello town
  • Enjoy a nice Chilean Barbecue at Casa Esquina

Day 5 - Volcan Lonquimay Summit (2865 mts)

  • Departure to the ski resort “Corralco”
  • Full day ski touring to the summit of Lonquimay Volcano (2865 mts)
  • Ski down the best face depending on the conditions
  • Enjoy a nice dinner at Casa Esquina

Day 6 - Volcan Llaima Summit (3125 mts)

  • Early departure to the base of Llaima Volcano
  • Full day ski touring to the summit of Llaima Volcano (3125 mts)
  • Ski down the best face depending on the conditions
  • Enjoy a nice dinner at Casa Esquina

Day 7 - Ski touring in “Araucarias Ski Resort”

  • Departure to the ski resort “Araucarias”
  • Ski touring day around Araucarias Ski Resort, have lunch or some snacks with the “Mapuches” Local people from the Araucanian Region
  • Back to Malalcahuello

Day 8 - Drive from Malalcahuello to Pucon

  • Breakfast at the lodge and start driving to Pucon (3 hrs)
  • Enjoy a rest afternoon at Antumalal Hotel
  • Lake visit or trekking around some beautiful rivers
  • Dinner at Antumalal Hotel

Day 9 - Volcan Villarica Summit (2847 mts)

  • Early breakfast at Antumalal Hotel
  • Full day ski touring to the summit of Villarica Volcano by Voipir route
  • Dinner at Antumalal Hotel

Day 10 - Pucon to Santiago

  • Early breakfast at Antumalal Hotel
  • Drive to Temuco Airport and flight back to Santiago

Included

Not Included

An Unforgettable First Ski Experience in Chile

Jan 06, 2026

Our first time in Chile — and our first ski experience in South America — became an unforgettable journey. The professionalism, warmth, and local knowledge of the guides made these days in the Chilean Andes truly exceptional. We came for the mountains, but we’ll remember the people most.

Guanhuai Ding
China

Practical
Info

Physical Fitness

  • Able to climb uphill for 4–8 hours
  • Comfortable carrying a backpack

 

Ski Level

  • Strong off-piste skiing ability
  • Comfortable in variable snow conditions
  • Know how to use skins and do transitions
  • Know how to use crampons

Volcanic terrain and weather conditions can change quickly; itinerary may adapt for safety and ski quality.

The 10-day expedition significantly increases summit probability and terrain diversity.

Private extensions available (Calbuco, Volcan Osorno, Volcan Puyehue, etc)

Participants are required to bring a complete ski touring equipment kit, including ski cramons, mountaineering crampons, a helmet, and avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, probe, and shovel). Appropriate mountain clothing is also essential, including insulating layers, a down jacket, a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex jacket, and Gore-Tex pants.
A detailed equipment and packing list will be provided upon confirmation of your booking.

A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance must be paid 60 days before departure. Deposits are non-refundable and services are only confirmed once full payment has been received.
For full details, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.

Client cancellations more than 60 days before departure are eligible for an 80% refund. Cancellations within 60 days are non-refundable. Weather, safety, or force majeure events do not generate refunds, but alternative programs may be offered.

See full policy in our Terms & Conditions.

Participants are responsible for obtaining their own insurance coverage for the planned activity, including personal liability, assistance, search and rescue, and repatriation, regardless of location or altitude.

What ski level do I need for this expedition?

Strong off-piste skiing in variable snow. You should be comfortable on skins, doing transitions, and using crampons. Previous ski mountaineering experience isn’t required.

How fit do I need to be?

Each summit day is 4 to 8 hours climbing uphill on skins with a pack, at altitude, on consecutive days. You should arrive with good endurance and be used to multi-day efforts.

What happens if the weather closes a summit?

Objectives are chosen daily based on snow and safety. If a volcano isn’t in condition, your guide moves to another one or to lower terrain. There’s no refund for weather.

Do I need to bring my own avalanche gear?

Yes. Transceiver, shovel and probe are your responsibility, along with your ski touring kit and ski crampons. Your guide carries the group gear. Rental is possible in Chile with advance notice.

Where does the trip start and end?

The 7-day route starts and ends at Temuco airport. The 10-day route starts with a pickup in Santiago and ends at Temuco. Book your international flights accordingly.

What is the best time to ski the Chilean volcanoes?

September and October. Longer days, milder temperatures, and the most reliable snow coverage of the season. This is when spring corn snow sets up on the volcano faces.

Have more questions?

Please check our FAQs page, and in case you need further help, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Ready for your
next adventure?

If you have any questions, get in contact with us and we will help you get everything ready for your next trip.