Guide to Skiing Pucon Ski Resort Pillan and The Villarrica Volcano
- Chapter 1: Chile's Adventure Capital
- Chapter 2: Getting to Pucon and The Pillan Ski Resort
- Chapter 3: Face to Face With an Active Volcano
- Chapter 4: Ski Terrain: What to Expect
- Chapter 5: Weather and Snow Conditions
- Chapter 6: Ski Resort Statistics
- Chapter 7: Know Before You Go
- Chapter 8: Recommended Ski Trips
Chapter 1
Welcome to Pucon:
True Adventure in Chile's South
The charming ski village of Pucon is hailed the “adventure capital of Chile” due to vast access to world class biking, hiking, kayaking, whitewater rafting and of course the thrill of volcano skiing.
A 30 minute drive separates the Pillan ski resort from downtown Pucon.
The small ski area often referred to as Ski Pucon, operates from early June to late October. The resort offers beautiful views of the surrounding Lake Villarrica and easy access to mystical volcanic skiing in southern Chile.
The natural terrain on the Villarrica Volcano is fun for freeskiing and snowboarding. Short hikes and backcountry touring access steep pitches and fun cornice and rock drops.
I lived in Pucon for over a decade. The weather can be tough, but if you hit it right, this place is outstanding. Amazing terrain, fun nightlife, a great selection of restaurants, and by far the area with the most diverse options for outdoor adventure in the South. For Chilean Independence Day, September 18th, Pucon is the place to be. Generally great snow for touring to the volcano’s crater and 4 days of non-stop partying around the town.
David Owen - PowderQuest Founder
Chapter 2
How to Get to Pucon and Villarrica Ski Resort
The Pucon-Villarrica ski resort, now named “Pillan “under the new concession, lies on the skirts of the active Volcano Villarrica located in Chile’s Araucania Region. Pucon and the local ski resort are located 490 miles south from Santiago– Chile’s vibrant capital city.
- Flying to Pucon
The airport in Temuco (airport code ZCO) is called La Araucanía International Airport.
From Santiago, this airport is only a 1-hour flight away. The town of Pucon is a 1.5-hour drive from Temuco’s airport.
Buses run between Temuco and Pucon, and there are taxi drivers willing to take visitors on the roughly 100 km (60 miles) journey.
There’s always the option to rent a car at the airport giving you more freedom to explore the region.
- Driving to Pucon
Of course, it is also possible to drive directly to Pucon from Santiago’s airport. The journey of just under 500 miles typically takes9 hours. For most of the trip, it is possible to drive along the modern Ruta 5 South. On this well-maintained highway, the speed limit is a zippy 120 km/hr. However, there are many tolls on this road, so drivers should come prepared with plenty of Chilean pesos as well as an international driver’s license.
- How to Get to The Ski Resort From Pucon
From town, it typically takes about 25-30 minutes to drive to the ski resort. As you enter the national park, the road turns to dirt. A 4WD vehicle should be sufficient most of the time, but on days after the snow, the road conditions quickly turn to ice so a four-wheel drive with snow chains is paramount. Snow chains are occasionally mandatory with a check point just beyond the entrance to the Villarrica National Park CONAF station.
To get to the Pillan resort from town, head out of town and go right at the roundabout so that you are headed towards the town of Villarrica. In only half of a kilometer, you will clearly see the sign for the turn-off on the left to the resort.
- Hitchhiking to The Resort
Chapter 3
When Was The Last Time You Peered Into
One of The World’s Most Active Volcanic Craters?
The main focus here for most visitors is the ascent to Villarrica’s smoking crater taking you to the 2,840m (9,317 ft.) peak of the volcano, with a big amount of vertical to ski down. If you are lucky and get a powder or corn snow cycle, it will be one of those descents you talk about for years.
When was the last time you stared down into the mouth of one of the world’s most active volcanos?
The descent back to the Villarrica-Pucon resort is over 1,640 vertical meters (5,380 feet) through the alpine slopes and deep lava flows creating natural half pipes, cornices and wind lips.
- Travel Tip
If our guided Chile volcanoes backcountry tour visiting Pucon does not line up with your schedule, check out our friends at Summit for a guided day trip ascent on Villarrica led by IMFGA guides.
Chapter 4
What is The Ski Terrain Like on The Villarrica Volcano?
Terrain – freestyle
The Ski Pucon staff builds a small intermediate level terrain park, featuring small hits, some rails, and a short border-x course, that seems more apt for children.
Recently however Antonio Lobos, Pucon local, has been dedicating his winter months to building a better park and boarder-x course for international teams to train. If you are there at the right time you may get a chance to rip a few laps on his course.
Maintaining the park is a chore due to strong winds and heavy precipitation during most of the ski season. The best time to check out the park, and the ski area, is in September when the weather usually improves. Pucon weather is known to be challenging, but good things come to those that wait.
Terrain – experts
While the inbounds terrain has little to offer the expert skier and snowboarder, the Villarrica ski resort does act as the gateway to a massive amount of backcountry terrain for those willing to work for their turns. From steep chutes and rock drops, to the popular ski tour to the summit, there is plenty to explore.
Suggested Trip for Advanced-Experts:
Terrain – Intermediates
This is a good zone for intermediate skiers and riders. The Pucon volcano staff maintain several groomed runs, including a low angle mellow cruiser back down to the main parking lot, offering easy off-piste access into the beautiful Lenga forest.
Chapter 5
Weather and Snow Conditions
For updated snow conditions and current weather around Pucon, Snow-Forecast will give you a base idea of what to expect.
Chapter 6
Pucon Villarrica Ski Resort Stats
Location: Pucon, Southern Chile’s Araucania province
Elevation: 1,410m (4,626ft) to 2,100m (6,890ft)
Vertical Drop: 690m (2,264ft)
Inbound Terrain: 22 Runs
20% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 40% Advanced
Ski Lifts: 9, but rarely do more than 3-4 operate
Hotels and Lodging: In town, 30 minutes drive. No on mountain lodging.
Off-Piste and Backcountry Access: Good
Heli-ski: No
Annual Snowfall: 400 inches (1000 cms)
Weather: Lots of wind and rain. You need to time the weather right to catch it on a good day.
Ski Season: June to October
Ski and Snowboard Park: Yes
Night Life in Pucon: Some of the best nightlife in Southern Chile with bars, discos, a casino, and a young crowd ready to party until dawn.
To get a good idea of what to expect when attempting to summit and ride this beast check out the video below from our amigo Spencer Francey
Chapter 7
The Overall Resort Experience
Rustic. If you are looking for a high end ski area, you need to go elsewhere. Unfortunately there is little to offer at the base area except a cafeteria with junk food and poor service and it’s been like that for years. However it should be noted, the town of Pucon, just down the road, is one of our favorites in all of Chile with excellent cafes, restaurants and bars.
The ski lifts of the resort are old and slow. However, the management of Santiago’s El Colorado Ski Resort have taken over the resort consession for 2023 on the volcano. This could bring some serious infrastructure and road improvements in the near future to compete with nearby Corralco Resort.
If you come with an open mind, with a taste for adventure, Villarrica-Pucon ski resort can surprise you with some amazing days in southern Chile.
Best night life in the south, a gateway to the volcanoes and an adventure capital. Culture runs deep and the rivers are hot, if you get a chance explore the Geometricas hot springs and if you are adventurous you can ski across the volcano all the way there! In a really ambitious day you could be standing a top of the highest volcano in the region, the mighty Lanin.
Phil Gautier - PowderQuest Guide
So, there we go with our run down of the Pucon ski area and Villarrica Volcano. While patience and an open attitude is required, this place is still a gem in the southern Andes…weather allowing.