Cabins near Corralco, Malalcahuello

Corralco

Corralco is a ski centre in the central-south of Chile, located between the Nevados de Chillan and Pucon ski centres. The  32 pistes of 25km (15 mi.) on the slopes of Volcano Lonquimay which has an altitude of 2865 m.s.n.m. (9340 AMSL).  In the 1,800 hectares of skiable area, there are 8  ski lifts and two chair lifts. Corralco is located inside the Malalcahuello National Reserve  that is 13 km from the township of Malalcahuello and 127 km from the city Temuco. There are cabins near Corralco but all are outside of the National Reserve.

How to find cabins near Corralco

Sernatur is the national tourist service operated by the Chilean government. a look on their website reveals the cabins registered with Sernatur and that meet certain basic health and safety standards and legal requirements for the tourism industry (webpage in Spanish):  https://serviciosturisticos.sernatur.cl/nueva_busqueda.php?page=1&tipo_servicio=1&clase_servicio=33&region=9&comuna=923&sellobp=bp&nombre=

A look using internet search engines will bring up all sorts of accommmodation oiptions, legal and not so legal. The township of Malalcahuello which is 13 km (8 mi.) from the Corralco ski centre, contains quite a lot of cabins. There are other options closer to Corralco, however.

When looking for something in close proximity to Corralco it needs to be said that one must ask about the energy supply to the cabin as mains electricity does not reach all places, particularly the closer you get to Corralco. Many operate with solar panels and generator back-up.

The local tourism organisation made up of different commercial operators in and around Malalcahuello offering accommodation and other services:  https://www.malalcahuello.org/

Some cabin owners offer tours or other activities, using certified mountain guides experienced with the local mountains and conditions. If you are planning to visit during winter of spring, when there is snow on the ground, unless you are experienced with knowledge of the area, it is recommended that you use the service of a guide if you plan to go off piste.  In summer, for longer treks, it is also recommended to use the services of a mountain  guide, unless you have plenty of mountain experience, good local information and appropriate equipment.

Getting around Corralco and Malalcahuello is easiest in a car, although there are some transfer services and some cabins offer this service, including airport transfers; for example:   https://www.chilewild.com

In winter, tyre chains are necessary and at times the local police are stationed revising the cars wishing to go up to Corralco and turning back those without chains; sometimes the police insist that the cars stop and put the chains on without going any further.