Chile – Ski touring trip

Days 1–2: Travel to Chile & Malalcahuello
We travel together or individually from Europe to Chile. After the long-haul flight and a short onward flight to Temuco, we pick up our minibus and head into the Andes. Our first base is Malalcahuello, idyllically located at the foot of Volcán Lonquimay and surrounded by the monkey puzzle forests that are so characteristic of this region. There is plenty of time to arrive, organise our equipment and get ready for the days ahead.

Days 3–4: Volcanoes & Monkey Puzzle Forests around Malalcahuello
Our first ski tours take us straight into the impressive volcanic landscape of Araucanía. Climbing between ancient monkey puzzle trees, we make our way towards our first volcanic summits, gaining not only vertical metres but also countless impressions of a landscape that could hardly be more different from the Alps. The Araucanía Andina is particularly famous for its volcanoes, monkey puzzle forests and hot springs. With the right conditions, we can already expect one of the finest spring-snow descents of the entire journey here. After our tours, we take some time to enjoy one of the region’s thermal baths – the perfect way to relax after long days out in the snow.

Days 5–7: Pucón & the Great Volcanoes
We continue towards Pucón. Around Lago Villarrica, some of the most spectacular ski touring opportunities in southern Chile await us. Depending on conditions and how the volcanoes are presenting themselves, we will tackle some of the higher and more demanding volcanic peaks in the region. One of the highlights will undoubtedly be Volcán Villarrica, with its open, active crater. The volcanic high mountains and huge descents make these days some of the highlights of the entire journey.

There will also be time to explore the extraordinary landscape around Pucón and relax our tired legs in the hot springs. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we have plenty of options to adapt our programme flexibly.

Days 8–9: Into the Wilderness – Heading South
After the volcanoes of Araucanía, we continue south. Leaving the more well-known regions behind, we travel into a landscape of rainforest, lakes and remote volcanoes. A particular highlight is our stay in the Huilo-Huilo Reserve, before we continue towards the Chilean Lake District.

We will also spend a day in Valdivia, swapping the mountains for Chilean cuisine, fish, beer and South American hospitality. A welcome contrast to the ski days so far.

Days 10–12: The Volcanoes of the Lake District
Now comes the grand finale of our ski touring journey. Around Puerto Varas lie some of Chile’s best-known and most photogenic volcanoes. Foremost among them is Volcán Osorno, its perfect snow-covered pyramid rising above the deep-blue Lago Llanquihue.

But beyond this iconic landscape, there are plenty of other exciting touring opportunities waiting for us. We will climb several of these volcanoes. As always, the actual summits we attempt will be determined by weather, snow, current conditions and the requirements of the authorities. Which volcanoes are actually accessible will also depend on their current activity and any access restrictions in place. In a country like Chile – and especially in these highly tectonically active regions – we have to respect the forces of nature and the volcanoes themselves and remain flexible.

Day 13: Reserve Day & Chilean Finale
That is why we deliberately keep a reserve day during the trip. It allows us to react to weather and conditions and make up a tour that may have been cancelled. Alternatively, we can enjoy a more relaxed day around Puerto Varas, before raising a glass to the past days over a traditional Chilean asado in the evening.

Day 14: Journey Home
After one last breakfast overlooking the lakes, we head to Puerto Montt Airport. From there, we fly via Santiago back to Europe. Hopefully, our luggage contains not only plenty of clothes that smell suspiciously of rotten eggs, but also some extraordinary summit experiences, countless vertical metres of perfect spring snow and, most likely, some seriously tired legs.

Day 15: Arrival Home
Arrival in Europe and back to autumn: our ski touring journey through one of the most extraordinary mountain landscapes in South America comes to an end. Active volcanoes, ancient monkey puzzle trees, beautiful lakes, hot springs and perfect spring-snow descents in the Chilean spring.