CHILE
ARAUCANIÁ & LOS LAGOS BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & SPLITBOARDING
Join us in Chile this coming Winter to ski and splitboard volcanoes in the best season.
The Araucanía region is the heartland of the indigenous Mapuche people. Physically it defines the Northern boundary of Patagonia — home to conical snowy stratovolcanoes and large lakes. One of the more interesting ski regions in the Chilean Andes: with wild peaks and unique araucaria forests to explore (often with a hot spring waiting for you at the end of each day).
The climate is driven by Pacific systems pushing moisture into the Andes, building generally consistent snowpacks across the volcanic chain.
This region has it all for intermediate and higher levels of backcountry skiers and snowboarders. We choose the late Winter season for ease of access to ski terrain, snow stability and great variety of choice in ski objectives.
ITINERARY
13 September 2026, Sunday – arrive Santiago, fly Temuco, drive Malalcahuello (1000m)
14 Sep – Ski Lonquimay Volcano (2865m)
15 Sep – Rest day Malalcahuello (prepare for Sierra Nevada Volcano, visit brewery, interact with locals)
16 Sep – Ski Sierra Nevada Volcano (2554m)
17 Sep – Drive Pucón (750m)
18 Sep – Ski Villarica Volcano (2860m)
19 Sep – Ski Villarica Volcano (2860m) – new route
20 Sep – Rest day Pucón (prepare for Lanin Volcano, visit brewery, interact with locals)
21 Sep – Ski Lanin Volcano (3776m)
22 Sep – Ski Lanin Volcano (3776m)*extra day for weather
23 Sep – Drive Puerto Varas (60m)
24 Sep – Ski Osorno Volcano (2652m)
25 Sep – Rest Puerto Varas (Relaxed morning, kayak in lake, final dinner together)
26 September 2026, Saturday – Fly Home
Dates
13 – 26 September 2026 (14 days)
Region
Araucanía and Los Lagos
Difficulty
Moderate
Price
Inquire
Trip Deposit:
US$1,000
Leader
To be announced
Group Size
Minimum 4 riders/skiers
Additional Trip Information
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
View some of our frequently asked questions
September is late winter / early spring in Araucania. We choose this month for snow stability so we can ski / ride bigger lines in safe conditions. September generally has a Spring snowpack, so the potentially unstable snow layers of midwinter are gone. We often get storms in September, so we are skiing powder on those days, and otherwise we are skiing corn. So expect to ski powder or corn on this trip.
We generally tour 800-1500 meters (2600-5000 feet) a day, skiing one to two big lines a day. Ask us about how to prepare for this.
Pumas live throughout Patagonia. There is a chance!
PATAGONIA
Patagonia is divided between Argentina and Chile, each offering unique geographical features. In Argentina, the region includes the provinces of Chubut, Neuquén, Río Negro, Santa Cruz, and Tierra del Fuego. Chilean Patagonia stretches over 1,000 miles north to south, encompassing regions such as Araucanía, Los Rios, Los Lagos, Aisén, and Magallanes.
The region’s climate varies from arid to semi-arid and temperate to cool temperate, with the Andes playing a crucial role in determining these patterns. The mountains create a barrier for humid air masses from the Pacific Ocean, resulting in abundant precipitation on the Chilean side and a rain shadow effect leading to arid conditions on the Argentina side.
The region boasts multiple national parks, such as Torres del Paine in Chile and Los Glaciares in Argentina.
Efforts to conserve Patagonia’s unique landscapes and biodiversity continue, with various initiatives aimed at balancing development, environmental preservation and rewilding to ensure the region remains a natural treasure for future generations. Tompkins Conservation website is a great resource to start study about the topic.
