Tour de los Volcánes de Chile, Part 1

Chile Backcountry created an extraordinary experience nearly perfectly suited to our objectives. We skied on Volcanes Casablanca, Mocho, Villarrica, Lonquimay, and Lliama. Kruser and yours truly made our way to Puerto Varas by bus from Chillan.



 Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesus

After many, many bus stops, we finally arrived in the picturesque resort town of Puerto Varas on Lago Llanquihue.  Our multi-skilled guide, Vicho, met us at the bus terminal and took us to our lodging in Puerto Varas to wait out a storm in the mountains.

Skiing the mountains of the Chilean Lake District and Araucania was our objective. We were able to ski the areas of Antillanca, Huilo Huilo, Pucon, Corralco, Arenales, and Las Araucarias. Antillanca was wet, and we didn't see much, but it was a good start to a fantastic trip.

Antillanca Base

Vicho Working, Yours Truly Not Working

Wet in Patagonia

Several wet laps in a whiteout were enough, and after securing lodging, we moved on the Neltume, where we found the magical Reserva Biologica Huilo Huilo.  After overnighting at Bosque Encantado, we made our way up the mountain, and caught a snowcat ride a little ways up Volcan Mocho. We skinned on to the summit and enjoyed adventure skiing back to the Bosque Nevado base.

Bosque Nevado Base

Hot Ascent

Clouds Closing in on Mocho Summit

Next stop: Pucon!

Excellent Spring Skiing on Volcan Mocho Choshuenco

Tour de los Volcanes de Chile, Part 2

Pucon, Chile is a resort city built on the shores of Lago Villarrica at the base of Volcan Villarrica. After skiing Volcan Mocho Choshuenco, we drove on to Pucon and settled in at the Aldea Naukana, a place where transformations occur, they say.

Ski Pucon Base

Volcan Villarrica activity in early 2015 (still venting) prevented lift maintenance, and the ski area consequently failed to open this season. Maintenance of the very rough road was not apparent either, but we made it to the lift base. We skinned from the base up toward the summit, and turned around where the snow became extremely hard and icy. Just above our turnaround, a trio of German skier/climbers dropped their skis and donned boot crampons for the final 1000 ft vertical to the summit.

Perfect Spring Skiing above Lago Villarrica y Pucon

Another sunny day, another Chilean volcano! After a good night's rest, we made for Malalcahuello at the base of Volcan Lonquimay.

Volcan Villarrica with Our Tracks from Aldea Naukana


Volcan Lonquimay is in Araucania Region, a part of Chile since the 1880's after the Chile military occupied the area and quelled resistance by the indigenous Mapulche.

Lonquimay Summit from the Corralco High T-Bar

Some Malpuche still press claims on the land around Lonquimay. Corralco Ski Area was built on the southern flank of Lonquimay in Chile's protected area of Reserva Nacional Malalcahuello-Nalcas where the Chilean army was training.

Vicho, the Esquiador Extraordinaria

Vicente 'Vicho' Fernandez is a partner in Chile Backcountry who tailor-made our volcano ski trip. We stayed flexible, discussed options and preferences along the way, and Vicho made the perfect arrangements to suit us. We skied on six volcanos in seven days, stayed at accommodations that fit our preferences really well, and enjoyed very good food and drink. Vicho lives in Puerto Varas and really knows the area, and he reads guests and situations really well. He did an excellent job. I'm already scheming next season's trip with Vicho! 

Tour de los volcanes de Chile, Part 3 coming soon!