The Lake District in Chile has a wide variety of ski touring and ski mountaineering objectives to choose from. Our itinerary has been carefully selected to ensure that we see and experience the best that Chile has to offer. This trip is designed for those who like to earn their turns and enjoy remote terrain, while still being able to relax in style. There are some long days in the mountains, but we will also hit a number of hot springs and mountain huts along the way. The itinerary is packed with multipule volcanoes and as much vertical as you can take. Participants should be capable of climbing 5-7000’ per day and be at least strong intermediate skiers.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Chilean Andes Ski Touring with Cascade Powder Guides
The Lake District in Chile has a wide variety of ski touring and ski mountaineering objectives to choose from. Our itinerary has been carefully selected to ensure that we see and experience the best that Chile has to offer. This trip is designed for those who like to earn their turns and enjoy remote terrain, while still being able to relax in style. There are some long days in the mountains, but we will also hit a number of hot springs and mountain huts along the way. The itinerary is packed with 7 volcanoes and as much vertical as you can take. Participants should be capable of climbing 5-7000’ per day and be at least strong intermediate skiers.
Day 1: Meet in Santiago.
Once you arrive in Santiago take a taxi to Hotel Loreto. Here we will meet the team. Once the team is assembled we will go over our objectives for the trip based on current snow conditions.
Day 2: Santiago to Portillo.
We will knock of the travel legs with one of Chile’s premier ski resorts. We will have a shake down tour to get our ski legs under us and get excited with views of some of our future objectives.
DAY 3: Portillo to Antuco
From the hotel at Portillo, we will drive to Los Angeles with a stop at Salto del Laja for lunch. We will stay at a refugio in Antucalhue.
DAY 4: Antuco Volcano- 2,985m
Total ascent: 1,490m. From Antucalhue, it is a short drive to the Antuco ski area on the southeast side of the mountain. We will tour from there and descend the north side where we will have great views of Lago Laja. After returning to our cabin in Antucalhue, we’ll pick up our bags and drive to Lonquimay where we’ll have dinner and lodging at another refugio.
DAY 5: Lonquimay Volcano- 2,800m
Total ascent: 1,200m.From Lonquimay, it is a short drive to the Corralco ski area. We will climb the Lonquimay volcano, where will have our first panoramic view of the Lake District, Tolhuaca volcano, Llaima and more. After at total descent of 1,200m, we’ll return to the refugio and take a dip at the Malalcahuello hotspring.
DAY 6: Llaima - Pucon
Travel/rest day. After breakfast we will drive to the village of Pucon, where will stay at a hostel in town.
DAY 7: Villarrica Volcano 2,850m
Total ascent: 1,600m. After breakfast in Pucon, we will drive to the base of Villarrica and ascend its north aspect before descending the southeast side. This is a fantastic day to the crater of this active volcano. After another long descent, we’ll top it off with a trip to the beautiful and remote hot spring. From there, we’ll drive to our hotel at Panguipulli Lake.
DAY 8: Panguipulli - Osorno
Travel/rest day. We will drive from Panguipulli to the Osorno refugio.
DAY 9: Osorno Volcano 2,660m
Total ascent: 1,700m. We will leave the Osorno refugio before dawn and start our climb up the Osorno Volcano. This is the most technical volcano of the trip and usually requires crampons for parts of the ascent. After skiing off the top and returning to our refugio, we will drive to Puerto Varas.
DAY 10: Puerto Varas to Santiago
We will return to Santiago and enjoy a celebratory dinner.
INCLUDED
· Mountain/ski touring Guide
· One night lodging in Santiago before the trip with breakfast (Double occupancy)
· All lodging on the trip
· All private ground transportation
· Emergency communications
· Rescue equipment and first aid kit
· Entrance fee to Malalcahuello and Geometricas hotspring
NOT INCLUDED
· Flight to Santiago
· All personal ski touring equipment
· Accident and rescue insurance
· Extra snacks while ski touring
· Dinners during the trip
· Gratuities
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
Personal Equipment:
· Ski Boots – Randonée or Telemark.· Randonnée – There are a range of good boots on the market. Generally, the lighter boots are more comfortable for walking, while the heavier boots are not quite so comfortable but provide better skiing control.
· Socks
· Pants – Made of a waterproof/breathable material, lightweight shell
· Soft shell ski pant
· Snow/Wind Jacket –Be sure your jacket has a good hood!
· Long Underwear Tops
· Long Underwear Bottoms
· Light fleece shirt
· Light weight second layer
· Light down sweaters.
· Light weight T-shirt
· Thin Gloves – Wind Stopper gloves.
· Warmer gloves – Nylon insulated ski gloves. Mittens are not recommended.
· Warm Hat or Balaclava
· Neck Gaiter
· Sun hat
Equipment and Climbing Gear:
· Skis
· Ski Crampons
· Ski Skins -Two pairs recommended
· Ski Poles – Adjustable two section pole
· Ski Strap· Ice Axe- Light is definitely right
· Boot Crampons
· Climbing Harness
· Locking Carabiner
· Avalanche Transceiver
· Shovel
· Probe
· Pack (30-40 liters)
· Water bottle or Thermos
· Head lamp·
· Sun Glasses Two pairs
· Ski Goggles
· Sunscreen
