Corralco ski centre is in the central-south of Chile, the Araucanía region, about 380km (236mi) south of Las Trancas ski centre near Chillan. The closest town to Corralco ski centre is Malalcahuello (meaning horse corral in Mapudungun indigenous language), 13km (8 mi) away. It is situated in a quiet rural valley with a growing number of holiday cabins and lodges as well as individual holiday homes.

Situated on the slopes of the Lonquimay Volcano, this resort trades crowds for quiet, wide-open, above-treeline terrain framed by ancient Araucaria (monkey puzzle) forests — and it’s quickly becoming known as one of South America’s most rewarding places to ski.

Why Corralco Stands Out

Corralco sits inside the Malalcahuello-Nalcas National Reserve, with skiing between roughly 1,500 and 2,400 metres (4921-7874 ft) of elevation and a vertical drop of around 960 metres. The resort has grown and adapted to climate change in recent years, now running a mix of chairlifts — including a high-speed quad, one of only two in Chile — plus several surface lifts serving around 29 marked trails across some 1,800 hectares when sidecountry terrain is included.

Because the base sits right at the treeline, the mountain opens up into broad, treeless slopes that are wonderfully forgiving for beginners, while higher up, strong intermediates and experts find plenty of terrain carved by old lava flows, plus access to genuine backcountry and ski touring on the volcano itself. Add one of the longest ski seasons in South America — often running from June into the beginning of October — although climate change is throwing unpredictability into the mix, and it’s easy to see why Corralco has become a favourite for families, freeriders, and even visiting ski teams looking for quality training conditions without the queues.
Beyond the lifts, the surrounding reserve offers snowshoeing, guided volcano ascents, and simply some of the best mountain scenery in the Andes — with views stretching to neighbouring volcanoes on a clear day.

Where to Stay in Malalcahuello

One of the best parts of a Corralco trip is basing yourself in nearby Malalcahuello rather than only on the mountain. The village sits just a short drive from the lifts and gives you access to local restaurants, the Malalcahuello hot springs, and a much more authentic slice of southern Chile than a purpose-built resort village.
For a warm, comfortable base close to the slopes, Chile Wild – Las Vertientes offers five mountain-style timber cabins just minutes from Corralco, each well insulated for the cold winter nights, with fireplaces, full kitchens, and mountain views. It’s a peaceful, family-run spot where guests can also enjoy the on-site sauna, natural lagoon, jacuzzi and the farm’s own goat cheese and gelato. You can find out more and book directly at chilewild.com.

Skiers weighing up southern Chile often compare Corralco with the Nevados de Chillán / Las Trancas area, a few hours further north near the city of Chillán. Nevados de Chillán is considerably bigger, with roughly a dozen or more lifts and around 35 kilometres of marked trails spread across volcanic terrain, including the famous Tres Marías run — one of the longest ski runs in the world. It also has hot springs, cat-skiing, and a livelier lodging scene split between on-mountain hotels and the village of Las Trancas, which sits about 20 minutes away by road and offers more restaurants and nightlife, at the cost of a daily commute that can turn unpleasant in bad weather.

Corralco, by contrast, is smaller and quieter, with shorter lift lines, terrain that suits beginners and intermediates especially well near the base, and a more intimate, remote feel — closer to the mountain village experience than a full-scale resort. If you want variety, longer runs, and more infrastructure, Nevados de Chillán/Las Trancas is the bigger draw; if you want uncrowded slopes, easy access to backcountry, and a genuinely peaceful Andean setting, Corralco is hard to beat.

Planning Your Trip

Corralco is roughly 1.5 hours from Temuco’s airport, making it a manageable trip from Santiago with a short domestic flight. Whether you’re chasing fresh powder on the volcano or just want a relaxed few days in the mountains with the family, pairing your ski days with thermal baths, shopping for artesan products made locally and sampling the local restaurants, is a great way to experience this quieter side of Chilean skiing.

Where to stay?

When you’re comparing accommodation in Malalcahuello, look past the photos and ask the practical questions: how is it insulated, how big is it, what’s actually around it, and who’s running it? Chile Wild was built to answer all four well — comfortable, family-run cabins surrounded by a working farm, sitting at the gateway to some of southern Chile’s best skiing and nature.

Ready to book your stay? Contact Chile Wild at +56 9 76525043/+56 976060842 or check availability and book here

The best qualities of back country skiing are the possibility of being with just your friends, the mountain and nature. It´s a sport where your physical efforts are rewarded with spectacular scenery, virgin snow and varied landscapes, creating unforgettable experiences.

Around Malalcahuello there are numerous places where back country skiing, splitboard and other snow sports can be practised, sports such as snow mobile ski trips, snow bicicles, trekking with snow shoes and sled dog trips.

Where can you do back country skiing around Malalcahuello?

Places where you can undertake the activity include nationally protected reserves such as Conguillio and Tollhuaca National Parks; also the Reserves Malalcahuello and Nalcas. These places offer beautiful and wild landscapes to explore.

Outside of the parks and reserves, there are private options such as cabins, hotels and lodges and private lands such as local indigenas property and other individual land owners. There are also areas that belong to the state. Remember that to enter privately owned land one must ask permission.

To find out more information about the local spots and trip options, it´s a good idea to talk to the locals. The owners and staff of the many accommodation options in Malalcahuello often have valuable local knowledge or can put you in touch with the right people; some of them also offer guided ski tours https://www.chilewild.com/guided-tours/. The local tourism association is a good place to start for contacts randonée

Los Arenales is one of these places, popular place with locals, to practise backcountry skiing. It´s about 5km from the city of Lonquimay, 10km from Corralco and 15km from Malalcahuello;accessible by private transport only. At some point in the history of this place a ski lift was installed but for reasons that are the source of rumours now, the venture collapsed and with it the ski lift was left to decompose disgracefully on the otherwise pictureque snow covered slopes. Now there is a hostal/restaurant that offers a welcome respite from bad weather, hot local food and mate, what more could one want? The place is run by the Lonquimay municipality and local indigenous Pewenche people staff it.

Snowkite is a sport developed from kiteboarding, a sport practised in the ocean and on lakes. In fact, it is recommended to learn kiteboarding prior to learning how to snowkite.

One of the benefits of the sport is that you can reach the tops of ski slpes without dependence on mechanical means, avoiding the queues and allowing one to go off piste and travel quite some distance. The downside is the dependence on wind, not too much and not too little.

Where should you begin?

First it is recommended to obtain a high level of ski or snowboard, once you have dominated this, one can add the kite. It is really necessary to practise with the kite, without the board to learn how to control the kite and be able to navigate with control.

It is very important to be able to read the climatic conditions and know when and where you can snowkite, in order to enjoy the sport and avoid accidents. Similar to other extreme sports, it is technical and potentially dangerous. If you take classes with an instructor and take care you will be able to enjoy to the maximum this sport which is growing in popularity worldwide.

The physical benefits of snowkiting include upper body strength, a workout for your gluteus muscles and cuadriceps. It is one of the warmest sports for winter that you can do.

In Corralco the cost of rental for snowkite gear is CLP$28.000 and a one hour class for up to two people will cost you CLP $50.000 (around USD $115 in total).

1. Portillo is a ski resort close to the capital, Santiago, where you can enjoy their spa complete with their climatised outdoor pool, weekend classes of Watsu water therapy and water fitness classes, massage services, jacuzzi. They also have a gymnasium and fitness centre.
2. Farellones ski centre Hotel Posada also in the metropolitan region of Chile, has a spa where you can enjoy hydromassage in a jacuzzi but there are no other massage services offered. In fact, you can find other hotels or apartments that also offer hot tubs.
3. Nevados de Chillan, located in the eighth region (Bio Bio), has a couple of spa options, Hotel alto Nevado offers massage therapy, fangotherapy and thermal bathing, spa & sauna. Valle Hermoso apartments, located 5km from Hotel Nevados de Chillan, offer thermal water pools, jacuzzi and spa complete with fangotherapy (application of mud over the body)and other types of massage.
4. Corralco Ski Resort & Hotel in the ninth (Araucanía) region of Chile has an outdoor pool, a climatised indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and massage services. The nearby Termas de Malalcahuello also offer indoor thermal bathing and massage treatments. Whilst other accommodation services such as Amavida also offer hot tubs and massage services. In fact Malalcahuello abounds with accommodation options, the higher end ones all of which offer either hot tubs or sauna with or without massage.

Downhill/Alpine skiing

Skiing at ski resorts on groomed runs/pistes using chairlifts and other mechanical devices to take one to the top of the pistes. The skis and bindings are designed for downhill and the boots are stiff and fixed to the skis by the bindings. Poles are usually used also. Advanced skiers may go off-piste but they must go in a downhill direction.

Backcountry/Off-piste skiing

Any skiing away from the groomed runs by people who enjoy exploring places away from the crowds, and who enjoy the added exercise, as well as the challenge that off-piste skiing can offer. Off-piste skiing can be done with downhill gear if it is in a generally downhill direction or with specialised backcountry touring gear that allows one to go uphill unassisted. Typically, backcountry skiing is done with backcountry skiis, bindings, backcountry poles and skins that are applied to the underside of the skis to permit skiing uphill. The heel of the boot is not fixed to the ski as in downhill/alpine skiing. It is advisable to always go with someone skilled in mountain safety and avalanche risk assessment as well as carrying safety equipment.

Cross Countryskiing/Nordic skiing

This is a style of self-propelled skiing that has two styles; the first, classic style, uses a very natural walking/running style to glide along undulating terrain; the second is skating that uses shorter skis and the legs move out to the sides to propel one along in a skating action. Skate style cross country requires groomed runs but neither cross country style is appropriate for the steep slopes of downhill or alpine skiing.

Alpine Touring/Randonnee

This is a type of backcountry that doesn´t use the ski centre chairlifts and is generally practised well away from the ski centres. The ski bindings allow the heel to lift freely to allow uphill movement, for the descent the heel of the ski boot is locked in so one can ski down much like downhill skiing. The gear used and skills required are similar to backcountry ski requirements.

Telemark skiing

Back in the 1980´s I remember my stepfather practising the art of telemark turns on a downhihll slope, heel unfixed with the distinctive forward leg lunge that for me was impossible to imitate and led to many faceplants in the snow. It is, perhaps, a dying art or style, being overtaken by new randonee gear designs that are far more practical and efficient. The boots and bindings required are specific to telemarking but the skis, skins and poles can be any that are for backcountry skiing.

Ski Mountaineering

This is also another kind of backcountry skiing that focuses on scaling mountains, combining classic mountaineering skills with skiing. Quite a lot of gear and skill is required for this, and local experienced guides are often used. The Andes mountains of Chile/Argentina are the perfect place for this activity. There is no shortage of volcanoes to climb. Volcán Antuco, Lonquimay, Llaima, Villarica, Antuco and Cerro Castillo are just a some of the summits climbed. Backcountry skis, skins and poles are normally used, along with safety equipment such as crampons, ice axe, helmet, probe & Arvas or search beacons.

Freestyle skiing

This is a popular competative ski sport involving jumps over specifically designed moguls, acrobatic spins and turns. The gear used are downhill skis (or snowboard), downhill boots, bindings and poles.

Adaptive skiing

Many well developed ski centres now cater in some way for skiiers with physical disabilities. Adaptive skiing is the name for skiing by people with a physical disability or confined to wheelchair. In Chile there are organisations and ski centres that offer services for people with physical disabilities. However, for the smaller centres such as Los Nevados de Chillan and Corralco it is advisable to enquire prior to booking.
Photo: thanks to mountain guide Pep Sanper. Ski mountaineering, Volcano Llaima, Chile

Spring starts in mid September and finishes at the beginnning of December but with coming of climate change, August can have temperatures and weather suitable for cross-country skiing/splitboard or trekking with snowshoes in National Park Conguillío, although the daylight hours are still short.

Access

Conguillío National Park is usually closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic in winter and when there is significant snow fall. It can be accessed vía Sierra Nevada mountain on foot from the back of the Thermal baths in Malalcahuello (Las Termas de Malalcahuello), or in coordination with the owners of cabins Chile Wild-Las Vertientes de Malalcahuello.

Another access point is the ski centre Las Araucarias 82km from Temuco vía Vilcun and Cherquenco or vía Curacautín. From the south, the access is vía Melipueco. The authorities in charge of the Park, CONAF, close the tracks for security reasons.

Security

It is recommended to hire a local guide who knows the area intimately, if you are not familiar the area. Local guides have the experience necessary to keep you safe and avoid unnecessary dangers.

Spring can be a dangerous time when avalanches occur and where crevasses may be hidden by a thin covering of snow. The tools necessary from a safety point of view, include an avalanche beacon, probe and a shovel. However, these may not be very useful if you have not advised the authorities (CONAF 56 452298114 – 452298149), and your family of the details of your route and expected time of arrival. Local guides and topographic maps of the National Park Conguillío can be obtained from the owners of cabins Chile Wild- Las Vertientes de Malalcahuello.

The clothes you need for skiing in Chile are really the same as what you need in other ski centres around the world. Mountains are mountains and tend to have the same weather conditions, although the altitude can vary, and with it the temperatures. Most of the ski centres in Chile are below 3000m above sea level (9,842 feet).

If this is your first time skiing, you may be asking if you have to spend money in order to be comfortable on the ski field. The answer is yes. However there are ways to reduce the expenditure. My first venture skiing was done with rental skis and boots, my usual clothes I wore when trekking with some nylon overpants and a rainjacket which worked as a wind break. I borrowed some snow gloves and had some woolen gloves to wear inside the outer pair. I also wore sunglasses rather than ski goggles (not recommended). I may not have won any fashion prizes but I was comfortable and didn´t get into debt.

Prior to deciding what to wear, look at the weather forecast and be prepared for changes. Dressing in layers is the key, as you can easily add or remove one or two layers to keep comfortable. Dressing inapropriately for the weather is a sure way to ruin your day in the snow. It may be sunny ad warm where you are staying but the ski field may be dramatically different and mountains are notorious for changing weather suddenly. Some ski centres have lockers where you can store your things, otherwise you need to plan where to be able to leave your things if you need to.

First layer

This is your inner layer. This is the only place where cotton fabric may be worn, especially for those with skin allergies. The downside of wearing cotton is that once wet it will stay wet and you may get very cold. If you don´t have skin allergies, woollen or synthetic thermal undergarments could be a good investment. Some synthetic fibres can be very smelly when you sweat so choose carefully.

Second & third layers

Clothes made of synthetic fibres designed to wick away the moisture and keep you warm are a good choice for the second layer. Wool is also very good at keeping you warm even when it´s wet. You may need a third layer such as a fleece with a zipper that you can undo if you get hot.

Outer layer

This will be your snow parka or rain jacket. Ideally it will keep you warm and be waterproof or at least water resistant. There are different levels of resistence to water so it´s a good idea to test the fabric prior to using it and get good advice when purchasing. Ski lifts in Chile are fairly slow so you can be sitting on a chairlift for at least 5 minutes which can seem more like half an hour in cold wet conditions. The outer layer needs to be a generous size to accommodate the first and second layers.

Goggles

Sunglasses really aren´t sufficient to protect you from the refective UV glare of the snow or from driving wind and snow. Invest in ski goggles or rent them. Ski rental in Chile, particularly in the smaller centres such as Corralco in the central-south, may not have all the gear in one place to rent.

Helmet

A helmet is a must for beginners and advisable for all skiers and snowboarders/kiteskiers as it can prevent a fall from becoming pain

Gloves

Gloves are an item that you cannot do without on the ski field. An inner pair of thermal or woollen gloves is a good idea followed by ski gloves.

Left something at home or on a tight budget?

If you´ve left something at home or if you are on a tight budget, you may find some ski clothes in second hand clothes shops in towns or cities near the ski centres, they are usually advertised as “Ropa Americana”.

Is the name of this modern ski centre which opened on Volcano Lonquimay in the central-south of Chile in 2012. It takes its name from the native fox (Zorro culpeo) that inhabits the Reserve in which the ski centre is located. It´s not yet well known so skier density is low, although every year it receives more visitors. It´s a joy to ski without worrying about what others are doing around you. In 2018 the opening date has just been published, 15th June.

The snow

The average snowfall at Corralco ski centre is 7 metres. It usually gets its fair share of powder although can suffer from wind which makes it icy sometimes. The centre is ideal for families and especially beginners because of the slopes and lack of crowds. There are few obstacles in the way of rocks and there are no trees to have to navigate around. The piste Los Liebres (east and west pistes),are wide and long. There are 1.5km of perfect pitch pistes of 12% gradient.

The chairlifts are a little slow compared to their northern hemisphere counterparts but it gives you time to recover and enjoy the scenery around you. The first chairlift, La Cornisa, gives you access to the warm-up or beginner slopes, Los Liebres, or you can ski on to the second chairlift, El Volcán or the pommel El Cruce, to arrive at the intermediate and advanced slopes.

From the second chairlift one can traverese across to the pommel El Cumbre to arrive at the highest point accessible by lifts, 2400 msnm, where 3 black (expert) runs and 1 red (advanced) take you down to the lower pistes. From the top of the El Cumbre, many like to take the challenge of hiking up to the summit of Volcano Lonquimay and ski into the crater or ski off piste back to the lower slopes. The views from these upper levels are absolutely fabulous! One can see a large expanse of the Andes mountains and several volcanoes. On bad weather days El Cumbre may not run due to the inclement weather conditions. All in all Corralco boasts more than 26 pistes.

How long is the ski season at Corralco?

The ski season at Corralco is variable but it usually opens mid to late June and closes late October to the first week in November.

Location

Corralco ski centre is locatedon Volcano Lonquimay, 700km from Santiago in the National Reserve Malalcahuello-Nalcas, noted for its handsome and unusual Monkey Puzzle trees, Araucaria araucana. By car it´s 1.5 hours from Temuco airport.

Accommodation

There are a variety of accommodation options ranging from the five star Hotel Corralco to economical hostels or backpackers. There are also lodges and many cabins in Malalcahuello for those who want to be more independent. Others are located along the highway and access road to the ski field 10km away. For good quality, comfortable cabins 8.5km from the ski centre see:Chile Wild cabins

Local transport to & from Corralco ski centre

There is no local public transport between Malalcahuello and Corralco. Some accommodation places offer this as an aditional service, but if you need this service you should enquire prior to booking. Cabins Chile Wild are some that offer this service Chile Wild. The only other option if you are not renting a car is to hitch-hike.

Los Tres Valles (The Three Valleys): Nevado, El Colorado & La Parva

Nevado Valley just 56 km (35 miles) from the capital Santiago, together with the two neighbouring ski centres, El Colorado & La Parva, form the larges ski-able areain the southern hemisphere.

Portillo

Portillo opened in 1948 and is the oldest ski centre in South America. It has a reputation amongst professional skiers for it´s challenging vertical slopes and slopes without crowds. The Super C Couloir is a trophy that adventurous skiers look to add to their collection. The high elevation of 3,307 metres (10,860 ft) promises good powder. The vertical drop is 760 metres (2500 ft).

Ski Arpa

At 108km (67 miles) from Santiago, Ski centre Arpa offers snowcat skiing. From this centre, one can enjoy views of the highest mountain in South America, Aconcagua at 6,962m (22,841 ft). The snowcat accommodates 22 people & takes 20 minutes to get to the top, all in all a round trip of around an hour.
>h2>Skiing volcanoes southern Chile

Volcano Chillan – Nevados de Chillan

Nevados de Chillan is a well developed centre in the central south of Chile, 500km from Santiago. It is well known for the excellent backcountry routes. Maximum altitude is 1650msnm (5,413 ft) and it has a vertical drop of 1100m (3,608 ft).

Volcano Lonquimay-Corralco

Corralco ski centre at the base of Volcano Lonquimay, 1.5hrs drive from Temuco airport has a maximum altitude of 2400 msnm. Located in the Malalcahuello-Nalcas National Reserve, the opportunity to ski randonné amongst the Monkey Puzzle trees is a unique experience. Flights from Santiago are just 1 hour to Temuco and the ski centre is 8 hours drive from Santiago.

The vertical drop at Corralco is a long 1,235m (4052 ft) whilst there are great options for beginers and medium level skiers. The crowds are usually absent, so no time wasted in queues. Backcountry/randonné with or without snowmobiles is available in the Reserve and other areas around Malalacahuello using local professional guides.

Volcano Villarica – Ski Pucon

Also located not far from the city of Temuco in Villarica National Park,is the centre Ski Pucon. This small centre boasts beautiful views of Lake Villarica and skiing on a smoking Volcano. Traffic lights in the nearby tourist town of Pucon alert residents when they should evacuate. In summer this place becomes a thriving hub of activity as Chileans flock to the lakes and beaches for their summer holidays. Maximum altitude 2440 msmn, vertical drop 960m

Volcano Osorno

Just 64 km (40 miles) from the city of Puerto Montt, ski centre Antillanca is situated in Puyehue National Park and is another that offers spectacular views of lake and volcano. It is another centre that has good backcountry options.