Group size: Min 4, Max 6

Note: This is a scouting trip. The week will evolve with the group and the conditions, so details may change along the way. This page is here to give you an idea of what to expect.

Who this trip is for:

This trip is for you who are a strong intermediate to advanced skier or snowboarder, comfortable in varied terrain, changing snow in mixed spring-like conditions. You handle slopes around 25–35° with control and have prior touring experience.

You have the fitness for sustained 4-5 hour ascents, and the strength to stay controlled and efficient on the way down.

The KMX Experience

You will spend each day ski touring in the Chilean Andes of southern Chile, moving across the slopes of iconic volcanoes like Lonquimay, Llaima, and Villarrica. The terrain is wide and open, shaped by volcanic formations, with long, continuous descents.

Climbs are human-powered and steady, leading to runs that flow from high summits down through changing terrain. Some days combine alpine slopes with lower forest sections, all defined by the scale and structure of the volcanoes.

Each day is shaped by conditions, terrain, and access. The goal remains the same: efficient movement, good lines, and making the most of a landscape built around these distinct volcanic mountains.

• Ski some of Chile’s most iconic volcanoes — Lonquimay, Llaima, and Villarrica.

• Earn long, continuous descents on wide volcanic slopes.

• Drop from summit to hot springs, including the option to ski inside a crater.

• Move through a landscape shaped by fire and snow, from alpine terrain to forest lines.

• Stay in hand-picked lodges and recover between days in hot springs.

• Travel in a small group with experienced local guides, adapting each day to the mountains.

For this trip, you can join if you experience level is from Level 2 and up. Please note that even our Level 1 still requires strong skiing skills, including off-piste and ski touring experience.

Our experience levels:

• Level 1 – Strong Resort Skier Transitioning to Off-Piste & Touring 

  Confident skier or snowboarder on all piste terrain, including black runs. Able to maintain control in ungroomed snow such as shallow powder, chopped snow, and variable conditions. 

   
  Limited ski touring experience but comfortable learning equipment use, including skins, transitions, and avalanche rescue equipment.  

  
  Descents typically occur on mellow terrain that may include open alpine faces, bowls, and wide gullies. 

• Level 2 – Experienced Touring & Off-Piste Skier 

  Regular off-piste skier or splitboarder with developing touring experience. Able to ski controlled and linked turns in variable snow conditions, including deep powder, spring snow, hard-packed and patchy surfaces. Comfortable descending easy, non-intimidating steep terrain and managing tighter terrain such as couloirs or tree lines.  

  
  If needed, able to use skidding or stepping to manage a short, non-exposed trickier section. Familiar with touring equipment, including skins, kick turns, avalanche transceiver use, and basic mountain travel techniques. 

• Level 3 – Advanced Ski Tourer 

  Highly competent off-piste skier or splitboarder with consistent touring experience. Able to ski confidently in complex terrain and steep slopes while maintaining fluid technique in all snow types. Comfortable performing uphill kick turns on steep skin tracks, and with experience using ski crampons and bootpacking. Confident in alpine terrain and challenging conditions. 

• Level 4 – Expert Backcountry Skier and Mountaineer 

  Expert-level skier or splitboarder with extensive touring experience in all types of terrains, including technical and glaciated terrain. Able to ski steep lines requiring jump turns and dedicated steep skiing techniques, as well as negotiate narrow couloirs and consequential terrain. Strong mountain awareness and ready to be included in the group’s decision-making process (snow/weather conditions, terrain choice, human factors). Comfortable with advanced techniques, including ski carrying, mixed climbing sections, rope-assisted travel, and complex transitions during ascents and descents. 

For this trip you can join if your fitness level is from Level 2 and up. Please note that even at Level 1 you need to be fit enough to stay out and move for several hours of the day.

Our fitness levels:

• Level 1 – Moderate Mountain Fitness 

  Able to sustain steady movement in the mountains for 3 to 4 hours per day. Typical ascents range from 500 to 800 metres of vertical gain. Suitable for shorter touring days, introductory ski touring trips, and programmes where lifts, snowcats, or vehicle access reduce the total ascent. 

• Level 2 – Strong Endurance Fitness 

  Able to maintain a consistent uphill pace (300 to 400 vertical meters per hour) for 4 to 5 hours per day while carrying a backpack and touring equipment and still having legs to control and enjoy the descents. Typical daily ascent ranges from 800 meters to 1200 metres vertical gain. Participants should be comfortable skinning continuously for extended periods and be able to repeat this effort for several consecutive days. 

• Level 3 – High Endurance and Expedition Fitness 

  Excellent aerobic endurance with the capacity for long mountain days. Typical daily ascent ranges around 1500 metres vertical gain, and the sky is the limit!  Participants should maintain pace in steep terrain and remain efficient across multiple demanding days in remote alpine environments 

• Nights 1–4: Casa Río, Malalcahuello — a cozy mountain lodge at the base of Lonquimay, perfectly positioned for the first three ski days.

• Night 5–7: Aldea Naukana, Pucón — a boutique lodge near Lake Villarrica, ideal base for the final volcano objectives.

Breakfast and dinner are included daily at the lodges, providing a consistent and comfortable structure around each ski day.

Lunches are taken in the mountains and are not included. You can request packed options at an additional cost or bring your own snacks.

• ZCO → Malalcahuello (Casa Río): ~2 hours

• Malalcahuello → Pucón (Aldea Naukana): ~3 hours (Day 5)

• Pucón → ZCO: ~2 hours (Day 8 morning)

Guests should fly internationally into Santiago International Airport (SCL), Chile. From there, you will need to connect to a domestic flight to Temuco Airport (ZCO), which is the main airport we will use to access this region and start the trip.

Domestic flights from Santiago to Temuco are very easy to book and run frequently during the season. We recommend LATAM or SKY Airline. Prices are generally quite affordable, usually around USD 40–80 round trip, depending on timing and availability.

The idea would be for the group to coordinate arrival times so we can organize one group pickup at Temuco Airport on the official start day of the trip.

Terrain: Wide, open volcanic slopes typically 25–35°, with long, continuous descents.

Snow: Classic spring conditions, shaped by exposure, elevation, and weather.

Why this time of year is special: It offers consistent access to high volcanic terrain, with long days and a mix of conditions that reward adaptable skiing.

Every KMX trip is led by certified guides with long experience in the areas you will tour in. They bring strong technical skills and a flexible, safety‑first approach.

The team for this trip is made up of ANGM-certified (the national association of mountain guides in Chile) ski and mountain guides, backed by the UIAGM (the International Federation of Mountain Guides).

These professionals don’t just follow a map. They adjust each day to the weather, terrain and the group. Their experience helps you move with confidence through remote and rugged landscapes, and get the most out of your time in the wild.

You must have valid travel insurance for this trip. Your policy must cover, at a minimum:

• Emergency medical treatment

• Search and medical rescue including helicopter evacuation in remote or mountain areas

• Repatriation

• All trip activities, including off‑piste and backcountry skiing with or without a guide

We may ask you to provide proof of insurance before or during the trip. If you are unable to do so, we reserve the right to deny participation. In this case, it will be treated as a late cancellation.

Read our full terms and conditions here: https://www.klattermusen.com/en-us/experience/terms-and-conditions/

We are covered by a statutory guarantee provided by the Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet).

This guarantee protects you financially in the event that we become insolvent. It ensures that you may receive compensation if any part of your package trip or linked travel arrangement is cancelled, and it covers the services we are responsible for if they cannot be delivered as planned.

Read more at kammarkollegiet.se.

Touring gear can be rented upon request. Please contact our office at info@kmexperiences.com before booking to confirm availability.

Renting gear is not included in the trip price.

Arrival in Temuco and transfer to Malalcahuello (approx. 2 hours). Settle into the lodge and head out for warm-up laps at Corralco. Welcome dinner in the evening.

Tour on Lonquimay, a volcano located in the Araucanía Andes near the Corralco ski resirt. It is possible to ski inside the crater, re-ascend to the summit, and continue into a descent of up to 1,500 vertical meters right down towards the hot springs.

This day combines touring in mixed alpine and forest terrain with a visit to the native Mapuche community where we will share a traditional dinner.

Ascent Llaima (3,125 m), with views over Conguillío National Park. A sustained climb leading to a long descent on volcanic terrain. Optional spa in the evening.

We will drive about 3 hours to Pucón. A transition day as the landscape shifts south. Free afternoon to rest or explore. Overnight at Aldea Naukana lodge.

Tour on Villarrica, an active volcano that smokes from its summit. Around 1,400 meters of elevation gain over terrain typically between 25–35°.

The descent includes forest skiing. Evening by the lake with drinks in the sunset.

Option to ski Quetrupillán Volcano or Mocho‑Choshuenco (2,422 m) for a final day of touring with sustained climbing and long descents.

Alternatively, spend the day exploring the area — waterfalls, national parks, or time on the lake. Farewell dinner with fresh seafood and wines from the Colchagua Valley.

Free morning for shopping or short hikes. Transfer to Temuco Airport for departure flights.