Visitor reviews for Villarrica-Pucon

• August 19, 2008
  Phil Smith from Snoworks All Mountain SKi Courses from FRANCE
  

  One of our favourite places and on both of the Snoworks itinerary's, Chile and Argentina Extravaganza and the 7 Volcanoes. Villarrica is one of the most spectacular volcanoes in Chile. The lift system is great for beginners and lower level intermediates but if you’re an experienced off-piste skier then you go here to ski off the top of the volcano. It’s an open top volcano and I literally mean open top. On arrival at the crater your breath will be taken away. I’ve been at the top Villarrica about 6 times and it is always very special. Smoke bellows out and you can hear a rumbling noise that sounds like it’s coming direct from the centre of the earth. On numerous occasions you can catch glimpses of lava spitting up and landing on the inside of the crater. If this doesn’t impress you nothing will. Once you’ve savoured the atmosphere you can ski off the top. Either directly down the way you came up of if you’re a strong off-piste skier and competent on steep terrain you can take the ‘steep side’. Pick your route and enjoy. We’ve always had exceptional conditions here. But beware there are some crevasses so only go up with mountain guides. We use Guido from Amity Tours for all our trips, a local guide, great skier and knows these volcanoes like the back of his hand. It can take between 4 to 6 hours to get to the top but it’s a once in a lifetime adventure. Do it! You can find out more about our Adventure trips to Chile on the Snoworks website.

• July 21, 2008
  Mike Taylor - CASA Tours Guide from CANADA
  

  Volcán Villarica is the most popular volcano in Chile, with thousands of tourists summiting each year. Much fewer in winter, but on any opportune winter day there's at least a couple packs of tourists staggering along in single file to the top if they're lucky, and most often they're non-skiers who butt slide/stumble down... it's really not graceful in any way, but very entertaining. One could say Pucón receives its fair share of wind and rain, and the summit days in winter are few and far between. The resort at the base of the cone offers some great skiing (esp. boarding) when the upper chairlifts aren't buried, partially buried, or scarily weighted down with rime. There are a total of 9 lifts, but only a few are really rewarding. In good conditions the summit can be reached in 3 hrs (fr the uppermost chair), and the very top 100 m is the only technical part of the ascent. However, the acidic fumes which continually spew from the open crater can bring you to your knees. But on the bright side, there's always Mamas Y Tapas when you can't ski in Pucón.