Swap the Alps for the Andes and Enjoy Summer Skiing in Chile

This summer, swap the Alps for the Andes and make the most of the Southern Hemisphere winter while skiing in Chile.

From volcanic slopes to majestic landscapes, natural thermal springs, extreme sports and spas, here are the top eight ski areas not to be missed in Southern Chile.

SKI RESORTS IN SOUTHERN CHILE

1. Nevados de Chillán – Located a six hour drive south of Santiago, the Nevados de Chillán ski resort area sits atop three active volcanoes – Nevados de Chillán, Chillán Nuevo and Chillán Vejo. Set at an altitude over 3,000 metres high, skiing is available across the skirt of the volcanoes and the slopes offer unrivalled panoramic views of the surrounding area. Nevados de Chillán is home to 30 slopes including the longest run in South America, the 13-kilometre-long ‘La Tres Marias’.  Guests can also enjoy healing volcanic thermal springs after a day on the slopes.
2. Corralco – Malalcahuello National Reserve is home to the smaller, Spanish-owned Corralco resort in Southern Chile. The reserve has 26 slopes and is best known for its off-piste offerings, making it a favourite with experienced skiers. The resort boasts one of the longest ski seasons in Chile, and the surrounding thousand-year-old araucaria forest gives visitors the opportunity to experience both extreme sports and pristine nature in the Malalcahuello National Reserve until mid-November.
3. Los Arenales – Located eight kilometres from Lonquimay in the Cordillera de Las Raíces region, the Los Arenales ski area is one of Southern Chile’s hidden gems. The centre opened in 2000 and is the newest in the region, offering untouched surrounds where sightings of local species such as condors, foxes and hares are common. This ski centre also offers excursions to local Mapuche communities for the opportunity to learn about local art, handicrafts, and culture, making it especially suited to families with children.
4. Las Araucarias – At the foot of the Llaima Volcano, the Las Araucarias ski resort is nestled in the heart of Conguillío National Park, north-east of Temuco. Lliama Volcano stands at an altitude of 3,125 metres and is one of the most active volcanoes in the Andes. Guests can witness the mountain light up every Saturday during winter, when downhill torch-lit skiing takes place on the slopes. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are also available in the resort.
5. Antuco – Based on the slopes of the Antuco Volcano, within the Laguna del Laja National Park lies the Antuco ski resort. A smaller cousin of southern resorts such as Pucón or Nevados de Chillán, Antuco offers gentle slopes, stunning vistas and a variety of accommodation options from private chalets to traditional lodgings.
6. Antillanca – The rugged slopes of Antillanca make it the perfect Chilean ski resort for those with an adventurous streak. Located on the foothills of the Casablanca Volcano in the Puyehue National Park, the resort boasts 400 hectares of skiable terrain amid the lakes, lagoons and volcanoes of the Chilean Lakes District. The resort caters to skiers of all ability levels.
7. Pucón – Located just 20 minutes from the charming town of Pucón, visitors can practice skiing and snowboarding on the slopes of the Villarrica Volcano and admire the view of five lakes from the peak. The resort’s natural canyons and half-pipes provide an ideal playground for snowboarders, while advanced skiers can hike to the rim of the volcanoes crater, before skiing down with the smoking crater as a backdrop. Guests can also explore the beauty of Villarrica National Park and discover endemic species that coexist between lakes and volcanoes.