Phil Smith Snoworks director & Gareth Roberts Snoworks instructor at the top of Llaima Volcano for sunrise
Chile, The Magnificent 7 2009
Ski From The Top of 7 Chilean Volcanoes
August 22nd - September 7th
This once in a lifetime opportunity to ski from the top of 7 Chilean Volcanoes. Experience the breathtaking beauty, and the hospitality of this amazing country. The Southern Volcanoes is a sight to behold.
Pitched to level 5 & 6 skiers looking for a true adventure and challenge. All volcanoes have been hand picked by Snoworks director Phil Smith and our Chilean Team, Guido, Christian and Alejandro. The 7 Volcanoes is the natural progression from our Chile Argentina Extravaganza for those who want to 'ski from the top'.
Skill Level
A good fitness level is required combined with the ability to confidently ski off piste. This year we have allocated 2 days in Lonquimay for training. For experience 'skinners' you may wish to 'get stuck in' from day 1. For less experienced 'skinners' you'll have plenty of time to get used to the equipment and the skills required for this amazing itinerary.
Skiing and Skinning
We will aim to get as much skiing in using the local lift systems as possible and to use the lifts and other means of transport, snowcat and skidoos to get as high as possible prior to skinning. Lonquimay, Llaima, Villarrica, Casablanca and Osorno all have lift systems at the base of the volcanoes. Sollipulli we are on our own from the start. Mocho, Choshuenco and Llaima we plan to use snowcats to get as much height as possible. It's definitely a trip for the adventurous, skiing as much as possible and using the touring kit to 'get to the top'.
The 7 Volcanoes:
Lonquimay Volcano
Llaima
Volcano or Antuco Volcano
Due to the activity level of Lliama a decision will be made nearer the time on weather Lliama or Antuco volcano will be included in the itinerary.
Villarrica Volcano
Mocho & Choshuenco Volcanoes
Casablanca Volcano
Osorno
Volcano
A small group will be personally accompanied by our Snoworks instructor and led by Guido Shilling our Guide in Chile.
For a detailed look at the itinerary check out the 7 Volcanoes Blog from 2008.
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
ITINERARY
DAY 01 AUG 22
DEPART FROM EUROPE
DAY 02 AUG 23
ARRIVE SANTIAGO, FLY TO TEMUCO, TRANSFER TO CORRALCO
Fly into Santiago, catch the internal flight to Temuco and transfer to Curacautin and the tiny village of Malalcahuello. We'll be staying at Corralco one of our favourite destinations in the middle of the Malalcahuello National Park and you feel like you've landed in paradise. Corralco Lodge is surrounded by stunningly beautiful Araucarias trees and we more or less have the place to ourselves. We'll have a welcome get together, chat about the itinerary and have an equipment check.
 Lonquimay Volcano. Surrounded by the beautiful Araucarias Trees
DAY 3 AUG 24
SKIING: TRAINING
/ CLIMB & SKI LONQUIMAY VOLCANO
ACCOMMODATION: CORRALCO
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
Experienced ski tourers and off piste skiers may have the opportunity to attempt the summit of Lonquimay on day one or explore some of the other many areas surrounding the volcano. For those who have less experience the day will be spent working through various skills acclimatising and preparing for the rest of the trip. Skills practiced will be using skins, kick turns, crampons, ice axes, rope work and off piste skiing.
It may not be possible to attempt this summit this first day but the time will be well spent in preparation for the trip.
We can use the local lift to access some great off piste skiing. There is only one main lift in Corralco but who's complaining when you have the whole mountain to yourself it's fresh tracks every run. We can spend time developing all our skills for off piste skiing and steep slopes.
Dinner and lodgings will be at the Corralco Lodge.
Corralco. We often have the mountain to ourselves combined with untracked snow on every run.
DAY 04 AUG 25
SKIING: TRAINING / CLIMB & SKI LONQUIMAY VOLCANO
ACCOMMODATION: CORRALCO
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
We’ll aim to ascend Lonquimay and reach its massive crater (2,865 meters). As you ascend from below you get the feeling that the top is just a small cone but on arrival your breath is taken away at the sheer size of the crater. The view from the top is absolutely stunning overlooking fantastic peaks of the Andean Araucanía such as Sierra Nevada (2,554 meters) and Llaima volcano as well as more distant landmarks like Lanín volcano (3,710 meters) to the south.
A few choices for the descent down. Heading back the way we've come or directly down the south face with great snow (don't forget we're in the southern hemisphere so it's the opposite way round to Europe). There's just enough space to sneak through on the right of the rock face you can see in the above photo of Lonquimay Volcano.
For less experienced ski tourers and off piste skiers it may be another day in preparation working through and perfecting all the skills. Hopefully we will get everyone to the summit today.
Ascending Lonquimay.
Lee and Gareth on the top of Lonquimay 2008
We should also have time to use the ski centre facilities. Again we will have the slopes more or less to ourselves so it's fresh tracks to our hearts content.
In the evening we'll head into the village of Malalcahuello and share a typical Chilean dinner at Jose's house. Jose is the governor of the local school and volcano specialist.
DAY 5 AUG 26
SKIING: AM LONQUIMAY OR DRIVE TO LLAIMA / ANTUCA SKI PM
ACCOMMODATION: REFUGE
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
NOTE: For the 2009 itinerary we may change Llaima Volcano to Volcano Antuco. This is due to recent activity levels of Llaima. We will confirm this nearer the time.
An early morning start and we'll head off to our next destination, Llaima Volcano. The journey will take about 4 hours. Llaima is one of the most active volcanoes in Chile. There are some local ski lifts which open up some great off piste skiing. If we leave Corralco early we'll arrive in time to ski for the afternoon and also take the snowcat as high up the volcano we can go to access some great off piste. Lodgings are very basic so be prepared. We'll be sharing dormitories, so if we haven't got to know each other yet we will by the morning!
 Heading to the base of Llaima by Snowcat
 Skiing down from Llaima Volcano.
DAY 06 AUG 27
SKIING: CLIMB & SKI LLAIMA VOLCANO
TRANSFER TO MELIPEUCO
ACCOMMODATION: TBC
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
Today will be one of the highlights of the trip, an epic day. We will take the snowcat as high up the volcano as possible. From where the snowcat stops we will skin up the northeast slope until the slope steepens then it's crampons on and hike to the top (3,125m). The climb is fairly steep but the previous training will have prepared you well. The crater will take your breath away and the views are absolutely stunning.
 View into Llaima Volcano. Don't slip!
You'll end up just wanting to stay on the summit as long as possible to savour the atmosphere. Two years ago we ascended the Volcano at 4am in the morning in time to get to the summit for sunrise and back down for breakfast. WOW!
Gareth and Phil (Guido on the camera) at the top of Llaima for sunrise.
We'll traverse around the crater and descend the southeast side of Llaima into the other side of the Conguillio National Park with a long ski down towards our next destination. It's an amazing off piste ski and Snoworks were the first ever tour group to achieve this. The minibus will pick us up at the base of the run and take us on to our next destination. The drive will take you through some amazing terrain with relics of previous eruptions.
Accommodation to be confirmed.
If we are unable to climb and ski Lliama this will be replaced with Antuco Volcano. Antuco was in our itinerary 2 years ago but unfortunately due to weather we were unable to get to the summit. It is recommended by Guido and one of his favourite's so we'll be looking forward to another attempt. Antuco is a ski resort so there are ski lifts at the base of the volcano.
DAY 7 AUG 28
SKIING: LLIAMA VOLCANO OR ANTUCO VOLCANO
TRANSFER TO VILLARRICA
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL ANTUMALAL
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
This day very much depends on the previous days activities. If were able to climb and ski Lliama or Antuco the day before it will be an early morning departure to Pucon. We may be able to ski in the afternoon using the local slopes. Alternatively we will ski Lliama or Antuco and transfer late to Pucon.
DAY 8 AUG 29
SKIING: VOLCANO VILLARRICA
ACCOMMODATION: ANTUMALAL
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
An early morning start with a drive up to Pucon ski centre. The village of Pucon is a hive of activity and a big tourist destination. The ski resort is the biggest in this area with 5 drag lifts and 3 chairlifts. We'll just be using the lifts to get as high as we can, then it's upwards for 5 hours. The further up you go the more stunning the scenery. When I first climbed this volcano 5 years ago I could have stayed here the views were so spectacular.
Villarrica in all her splendor. Yes that is smoke coming out of the top!
The volcano is very active. Smoke bellows out the top (2,847 meters) and a couple of years ago as we stood at the side of the crater, lava would spurt up. It's a mesmerizing sight!
Cristian and Paul looking into the crater of Villarrica.
The view across all the lakes is beautiful. You can almost circle the whole crater and get a 360 degree panoramic. It's a great ski down with numerous choices of routes and the ski from the top is about 40degrees, enough to keep you concentrating.
A second night at the fabulous Antumalal Hotel with dinner in Villarrica.
 Skiing down from Villarrica as dusk sets.
DAY 9 AUG 30TH
SKIING: VILLARRICA
TRANSFER TO
HUILO HUILO
ACCOMMODATION: MONTANA MAGICA
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
Another attempt at Villarrica if we were unable to climb the day before. If we climbed the day before a few options, head for the slopes and use the local lifts or a well earned day off with some sight seeing in Pucon. In the afternoon we'll be heading to Huilo Huilo. If you think it's been good up till now you're about to be blown away. We'll arrive in the Huilo Huilo national park with the most amazing sight. The Montana Magica Lodge.
The Montana Majica, a sight to behold.
DAY 10 AUG 31
SKIING: MOCHO & CHOSHUENCO VOLCANOES
ACCOMMODATION: MONTANA MAGICA
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
There are no ski lifts in Huilo Huilo and the hotel is on the outskirts of the most beautiful national park. We'll take a truck through the forest and head up as far as we can go then switch to a snowcat which will take us to the base of the two volcanoes. From there, it's skins on and up we go. The hike to the summits of Mocho (2,422 meters) and Choshuenco (2,415 meters) are the quickest of the whole tour so we can do both summits in one day.
Heading off to the base of Mocho and Choshuenco
From the trucks we may transfer to skidoos or snowcat and get as high as possible.
Heading up to the summit of Choshuenco Volcano.
Phil the summit of Choshuenco. Only room for one!
We’ll have a second night at the Montana Majica and relax in the outdoor hot tubs carved into tree trunks with a few pesco sours!
DAY 11 SEP 1
TRANSFER TO ANTILLANCA
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
If we managed to climb and ski Mocho and Choshuenco the day before then we will head off to Antillanca (5 hours). We should be there by early afternoon so we can get some time to ski on the local lifts. Alternatively if we were not able to ski Mocho and Choshuenco the day before we may attempt the summits today and then head off to our next destination.
Antillanca is a small ski resort with some great skiing. Two years ago we were able to use the local lifts in the afternoon and then once the lifts closed we hiked to some local summits and had a great ski down more or less in the moonlight.
Casablanca in the moonlight - off piste heaven.
DAY 12 SEPT 2
SKIING: ANTILLANCA - CASABLANCA VOLCANO
TRANSFER TO OSORNO
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
Casablanca (1,990 meters) is very different to the other volcanoes. We'll start early and hopefully use the local lifts to gain as much height as possible. We may even be able to take the snowcat directly to the base of Casablanca. This was a great destination last year and the climb to the summit is relatively easy with a fantastic ski down. After the descent it's off to the final destination Osorno. Accommodation in Puerto Varas.
Heading towards the base of Casablanca
Guido on Casablanca with Volcano Puntiagudo in the background
DAY 13 SEPT 3
SKIING: OSORNO VOLCANO
ACCOMMODATION: PEURTO VARAS
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
Two choices today depending on the weather. We will either ski using the local lift system and attempt the summit the following day or go for the summit today and ski using the lifts the following day.
The final climb and the 'Grand Finale'. Osorno looms over the valley on the drive from Casablanca. There is no escaping her glare. Osorno (2,652 meters) is the most challenging of all the volcanoes hence we have left it until last. We would hope to get as high as possible using the local lifts then skin up. It's a relatively easy climb to begin with then it's steeper and steeper and steeper. The last 300metres has to be with crampons and ice axes and ropes.
 Heading up Osorno Chile style. A converted VW Transporter. We'll take it as high as we can then it's skins on.
Heading up Osorno. The backdrop is magnificent.
The final climb to the summit.
On the summit of Osorno. Wow!
Arrive at the top and it feels like you are on top of the world. It's a great ski down. Last year the snow was magnificent and one of the highlights of the whole trip.
Guido showing the way back down Osorno. Magnificent snow.
The final volcano of this amazing adventure.
DAY 14 SEPT 4TH
ORSORNO
7 Volcanoes 2008 Blog
The last day of this extraordinary adventure. We've left the last day in Osorno in case we couldn't make the ascent the day before. If we have, it's a day skiing the local slopes, skinning off backcountry or heading off for some relaxation and sight seeing.
The final ski down the magnificent Osorno.
Phil on the final ski down Osorno in the sunset 2007.
DAY 15 SEPT 5
FLIGHT PUERTO MONTT - SANTIAGO
A night in Santiago to celebrate. Some time to look around this bustling South American city with a meal out in the evening. Maybe even some night clubbing!
DAY 16 SEPT 6
DEPART FOR THE UK
If you take the Air Canada flight (see details below) then there's time to look around the city in the morning have lunch and then head to the airport in the afternoon.
DAY 17 SEPT 7
ARRIVE UK
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