When to visit Corralco – winter

Corralco is both a hotel and a ski centre in the National Reserve Malalcahuello at the base of  Volcano Lonquimay  in the central-south of  Chile. Malalcahuello is the name of the closest town, some 13 km (8 mi) from Corralco and is located on the international route  CH 181 that connects the city of Temuco in Chile to the city of Neuquén in  Argentina con los ciudades de Temuco y Victoria en Chile.

Corralco ski centre is open from the last couple of weeks of June, usually and closes when the snow runs out around the beginning of October.

Hotel Corralco is open when the ski centre is open and at other times during the year but not all year round.  For stays in the July school holidays it is advisable to book well in advance. There are many other accommodation options in and around Malalcahuello, close to the ski centre but the same advice applies as per booking in advance for school holiday periods https://www.chilewild.com/cabins-chile-wild-las-vertientes-de-malalcahuello/.

Prices

In terms of accommodation prices,  the most favourable prices can be found at the beginning or end of the ski season and by booking a long time in advance. Corralco often starts offering discount packages in February or March Muchas veces Corralco empieza con sus ofertas en verano o marzo, selling accommodation and season ski passes. After the 15th of August, the prices for ski tickets reduces during the week but accommodation is usually still at a premium. In some establishments around Malalcahuello cheaper prices are offered on weekdays in August. The week of the Fiestas Patrias, Independence Day celebrations, is high season but after that prices drop.

Hotel Corralco is , if not the most expensive, one of the most expensive places to stay around Malalcahuello. The compensation is the proximity to the ski centre 1km (0.6 mi) and the services offered.

Between Hotel Corralco  and the township of Malalcahuello 13km away, there are many accommodation options of varying price and quality.

Climate

During winter the climate is humid and the snow begins in earnest around the end of June, although there are usually some dumpings in May.  Temperatures reach as low as -11 ^o C (12 ^o F).

The weather is most unstable and it snows the most during July. In August the days lengthen and start warming a little more, whilst September has some warm days making it advisable to start early for any snow related activities.

It´s certainly the case that winter is a beautiful time to visit Corralco , aside from the rain and snow, when the sun shines it´s the beauty of the Andes mountains covered in snow is something to behold.