LA CRUZ DEL SUR
September 12 - 20
We meet in Concepción and drive straight into the mountains toward the legendary village of Las Trancas. After a couple of days of ski touring and an attempt on the summit of Volcan Chillan, we continue south into Chile´s Araucanía´s District. In Pucón, on the shores of stunning Lake Villarrica, we take on the iconic Quetrupillán and Rukapillán volcanoes – climbing above ancient forests and descending long volcanic lines. Our journey ends at the majestic Osorno Volcano, where we stay in a traditional mountain refuge surrounded by sweeping views of the Lakes District. Spectacular scenery, lift-assisted and human powered ascents, traditional meals and authentic Chilean ski culture define this unforgettable volcano adventure.
certified guides
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Juliana Garcia
IFMGA Ski Guide
Juliana Garcia is a trailblazing Ecuadorian mountaineer and the first female Latin American to earn full IFMGA mountain guide certification, a globally recognized standard of professional guiding. Juliana has guided and climbed extensively across the Andes, Pakistan, Alaska, the U.S., and the Alps, combining deep regional knowledge with broad international experience. Juliana served as President of the Ecuadorian Mountain Guides Association for six years, was the first woman and first non-European on the IFMGA board, and continues to teach and mentor as an instructor as an AIARE avalanche educator.
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Claudia Aliaga
ANGM Chile Ski Guide
Claudia is an ANGM Chile ski guide and instructor and the 2022 IFSA South America Women’s Freeride Champion. She holds an Avalanche Pro Level I Certification with the American Avalanche Association and earned her ISIA Ski Instructor Certification in Switzerland. She was a former member of the Chilean Alpine National Team and holds some first ski descents in Chile.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Trip Length: 9 days (6 ski days, 3 travel days)
Group Size: 6 guests · 2 guides
Guides: 1 local Chilean ANGM guide (Claudia Aliaga) + 1 local IFMGA Guide (Juliana Garcia)
Terrain: 1/2 day resort and 2 days lift assisted touring/splitboarding at Nevados de Chillan · 2 days backcountry touring/splitboarding at Pucon Area · 1 day backcountry touring/splitboarding at Osorno Area
Lodging: 3 nights at Roble Viejo · 3 nights at Aldea Mountain Lodge · 2 nights at Refugio Teski
Transportation: 2 4x4 SUV’s driven by your guides
Ability (Downhill): Confident skiing/riding steep, variable conditions
Ability (Uphill): Strong, athletic pace on long, back-to-back touring days
ITINERARY
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Arrive to Santiago early in the morning and take a domestic flight just over 1 hour to Concepcion where you’re picked up in a Sprinter Van for the 2hr 20min drive into the Andes. You’re greeted at Roble Viejo with a BIG TIME ASADO. Meet your guides, check your gear and sleep tight. Tomorrow’s going to be epic…
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Use the lifts at Nevados de Chillan to gain nearly 3,000 vertical feet where you start your tour to the top of Cerro Pirigallo, descending through Valle Hermoso to Aguas Calientes, a natural hot spring at the base of dreamy terrain. End your day at Bagual for dinner, the coolest restaurant in town.
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Start your tour from the top of the resort, venturing towards the highest volcano in the region, Volcan Nevados de Chillan (10,443 ft). Soak in the views and the accomplishment before descending breathtaking lines back to reality. Tonight you deserve the dinner at the best restaurant in town, Olivas.
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Hop in the SUV’s with your guides and travel south to Pucon, a classic mountain town set on a pristine lake below an active volcano. We’ll stop for lunch on the way, spend the evening exploring this funky town by foot and have dinner at Senzo, a stylish local eatery with gourmet plates and culturally rich wine list.
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Disappear from civilization deep in Araucania to the summit of Volcan Quetrupillan, a remote, glaciated volcano offering big vertical, long tours, and remote backcountry lines. Have dinner at Puerto Pucon, a classic lakeside spot serving fresh Chilean seafood.
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Climb to the top of Volcan Rukapillan, a sacred Mapuche volcano towering over Pucón with consistent pitch and unforgettable summit views into an active crater, blending powerful cultural history with iconic ski touring. Dine at Black Forest Pucon, a lively sushi-and-tapas bar-lounge.
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Not your typical travel day - we’ll stop for some well deserved natural hot springs and have a nice lunch on the way to the Teski Mountain Refuge, a classic mountain hut right at the base of Volcan Osorno. Enjoy a typical Andean mountain meal right there at the hut.
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Today we summit the postcard-perfect Volcan Osorno and descend roughly 4,000 ft towards deep blue lakes, with expansive views of Patagonia, Argentina and the Pacific Ocean. Don’t forget your camera! Check in to the Hotel Bellavista just down the road for your last night in the picturesque village of Puerto Varas. Tonight, we bid you farewell with one final celebratory dinner at Casa Valdes an unbelievable seafood restaurant right on the shores of the majestic Lago Llanquihue.
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After a big breakfast, your guides deliver you to the airport at Puerto Montt for the 2 hour flight back to Santiago.
LOGISTICS
Transportation
4x4 SUV’s driven by your guides (2 vehicles · 1 guide & 3 guests/vehicle)
Distances
Santiago to Concepcion: 313 miles / ~1 hour flight
Concepcion to Las Trancas: 101 miles / ~2 hour drive
Las Trancas to Pucon: 265 miles / ~5 hr 40 min drive
Pucon to Puerto Varas: 210 miles / ~5 hour drive
Puerto Montt to Santiago: 640 miles / ~1 hr 40 min flight
Peak Elevation / Vertical Gain
Volcan Chillan Viejo: ~10,400 ft / ~5k ft vert
Volcan Quetrupillan: ~7,700 ft / ~3k ft vert
Volcan Rukapillan: ~9,300 ft / ~5k ft vert
Volcan Osorno: ~8,700 ft / ~4k ft vert
accomodations
Frequently Asked Questions
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USD $5,300
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Everything is included except for a dinners at the best restaurants in town and on the road. Ski The Andes provides transportation, lodging, guides, lift tickets, an authentic asado upon arrival, a high mountain hut smorgasbord your first day on the mountain, breakfast at your lodge every morning and a bag lunch every ski/ride day.
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You should bring your own skis or board, touring setup or splitboard, beacon, shovel, probe and backpack with ski/board carry. Each guest must be intimately familiar with their own avalanche safety gear and well practiced with their touring/splitboarding equipment. If you don’t have your own gear, this trip isn’t for you.
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We’re vetting every application to make sure that this group of 6 guests are physically fit and prepared to move uphill and downhill at an athletic pace. Skiers/riders should be experts in touring, splitboarding and downhill skiing/riding, comfortable with technical ascents/descents and consequential terrain.
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We’re not for the masses. This outfit was designed to help high level athletes ski and ride the sickest terrain in South America, as safely as possible. We’ve selected the best, most experienced guides who grew up slaying these mountains and who represent the culture with honor and pride.