The Endless Winter is our original itinerary. With over seven years running this trip, we've got it dialed. For fifteen days, this adventure takes you all the way from Santiago to the winter playground of Pucon. Volcano summit attempts are possible in Pucon and Termas de Chillan with the right weather conditions. Join us for this 15 day trip that will show you Chile, both the mountains and the culture.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arive Santiago - Estacion Mapocho
Arrive Santiago Int’l airport where you will be met by our guides. When scheduling flights, please be sure to arrive before 10am. After getting settled at The Hotel Alto Castello, we will spend the day at Estacion Mapocho and the Plaza de Armas, two of Santiago’s best cultural centers.
Day 2-4: Ski & Ride Valle Nevado - La Parva - El Colorado
Hotel Farellones will be home while we spend three days skiing at the tri-resort complex: La Parva, El Colorado and Valle Nevado. Our Hotel is complete with a quaint restaurant, bar, and deck overlooking Santiago and the Andes. On day one we will get to know La Parva, the hidden gem of the Valley. If the right conditions present themselves, we can even try a first day off lift hike to the famous chute “La Chiminea.”
On day two we’ll ski at El Colorado which has some excellent lines to ski off the famous ridge line known as Santa Teresa. If we get the right conditions, we can spend the afternoon dropping this 2000 foot vertical face, running van shuttles with our drivers. Nights will be spent at our home, Hotel Farellones. Apres ski drinks can be had at our hotel bar, sitting on the deck watching the Andes light up red and orange in the setting sun. Dinners and breakfasts are included at our hotel.
On day four we’ll explore Valle Nevado, the most modern of all the resorts in Chile, it even has a detachable quad. We can get in some great skiing in their back bowl, Valle Olympico. If weather and snow conditions are good, and if you’re up for it, you can get a few helicopter runs in during the afternoon. At night we will return to Santiago for a night of celebration at Etniko, our favorite restaurant in Santiago. This hidden spot in barrio Bellavista, would be hard to find without your CASA guides, but a knock on the unmarked wooden door leads in to one of the hippest spots in Santiago.
Day 5-8: Pucon - Villarrica
In the morning of day 5 you will fly from Santiago to the city of Temuco, and then transported by van to Pucon. Pucon, an outdoor paradise, offers us access to the Volcano Villarrica where we will spend most of our days skiing. Our lodgings at Cabañas Ruca-Malal, are seperate cabins which are warm and comfortable. We will start day 6 with a short ride up to the slopes on Volcan Villarrica. Ski the lava flow’s intricate terrain overlooking Pucon, surrounded on all sides by lakes and snowcapped peaks. At the end of the day, we’ll take a short trip out of town to soak our bones in Termas Pozones, clear, odorless, natural hot springs that are so hot that you’ll have to take breaks from soaking.
Starting the mornings with a truly excellent breakfast at Café Ecole, we’ll spend another two days on Villarrica. Pucon, normally a summer vacation hotspot for Chileans, is a virtual winter wonderland. There are many places to visit, and numerous opportunities for adventure. Probably the most challenging of these activities is the four to six hour hike up Volcan Villarrica, to the crater. This guided climb is not technical, but will require crampons.
Upon reaching the summit of this active volcano, you can look deep into this monstrous, steaming caldera. On a clear day, you can see across the peaks of the Andes all the way to Argentina. To get down, click in, strap on and commence carving. Depending on the snow and weather conditions, we’ll get two days to try our summit. We can also access some of the more remote parts of the volcano and lay some fresh tracks on the unexplored slopes.
Day 9: Travel to Termas de Chillan
On day nine, we will journey north to the city of Las Trancas, near the resort at Termas de Chillan. The Salto de Laja, a majestic waterfall, is en route and we’ll stop to snap some photos and check out this beautiful area. The city of Chillan, one hour from our final destination, is noted for having Chile’s finest market. We will stop there to have a meal and wander the market place before continuing on to Las Trancas.
Day 10-13: Ski & Ride Termas de Chillan
You will spend four days staying in the comfort of our ‘casa’, Cabañas Rucahue, which will be a perfect base camp while exploring the stellar terrain and backcountry at Termas de Chillan. Termas is known for having the consistently best powder in Chile and is the highlight of all our trips.
On days 11 and 12, options include a guided backcountry tour, or a climb up to the summit of Volcan Chillan. These are all great ways to experience the pristine beauty and incredible snow in this nook of the Andes. Note that helicopter skiing is not included in the price of the trip. We will cap our wonderful stay in this paradise with a big Chilean cookout known as an Asado. Enjoy the traditional steak, chicken and sausage prepared by our Chilean hosts, as well as all the wine and pisco you can drink.
Day 14-15: Return to Santiago
On day fourteen, we will bid farewell to the serenity and beauty of Las Trancas and journey towards Santiago. We will break up our road trip, by having lunch at Migel Torres winery, a truly classy experience. At the end of a hard day of travel we will return for a chance to get a final meal together and lament the fact that it all has to end. On day 15 we will arrange your transport to the airport and bid you Vaya con Dios! Nos Vemos Amigos.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- 2 nights Farellones;
- 3 nights Santiago;
- 4 nights Pucon;
- 5 nights Las Trancas;
- All Breakfasts & Dinners;
- 5:1 Guest to Guide ratio;
- All lift passes on tour;
- All ground transportation on tour;
- Domestic Flight Santiago- Temuco;
- Use of Avalanche Tranceiver, probe and shovel;
- Use of Motorola Radio.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Outdoor: Mountain Ranger
Skiing & Snowboarding
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