Phil Smith Snoworks director & Gareth Roberts Snoworks instructor at the top of Llaima Volcano for sunrise
Chile, The Magnificent 7 2008
Ski From The Top of 7 Chilean Volcanoes
August 29th - September 14th
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 some previous off piste experience. 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 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
We have changed Llaima to Volcanoe Tolhuaca for the 2008 itinerary due to the recent activity levels of Llaima.
Sollipulli Volcano
Villarrica Volcano
Mocho & Choshuenco Volcanoes
Casablanca Volcano
Osorno
Volcano
A small group will be personally accompanied by phil Smith Snoworks director and led by Guido Shilling our Guide in Chile.
ITINERARY
DAY 01 AUG 29
DEPART FROM EUROPE
DAY 02 AUG 30
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 31
CLIMB & SKI LONQUIMAY VOLCANO
TRAINING
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.
Emma Carrick-Anderson testing out the Chile Powder!
DAY 04 SEPT 1
CLIMB & SKI LONQUIMAY VOLCANO
TRAINING
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.
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 SEPT 2
LONQUIMAY - DRIVE TO LLAIMA VOLCANO - SKI PM
NOTE: For the 2008 itinerary we have changed Llaima to Volcano Tolhuaca. This is due to the recent activity levels of Llaima. We hope to have Llaima back on the itinerary for 2009 so have left it here. Tolhuaca Volcano is located in the northern part of the Araucania Region of Chile not far from Lonquimay and Corralco. The volcano has been shaped by glacial erosion, which contrasts with the relatively smooth slopes of its neighbour Lonquimay.
The volcano dominates the landscape of Tolhuaca National Park. Its slopes are covered with forests of araucarias trees. Small lakes complete the spectacular scenery. It has been recommended by Guido and going by all his previous recommendations we are in for a treat.
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. 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 SEPT 3
CLIMB & SKI LLAIMA VOLCANO - MELIPEUCO
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. 'The home of the devil' as it's known. 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, Mellippeuco about 50 minutes away. The drive will take you through some amazing terrain with relics of previous eruptions.
We'll be staying at Hosteria Los Pioneros, a small family run hotel full of character run by Don Pablo and his family. This was one of the favourite's of last years tour.
DAY 7 SEPT 4
SOLLIPULLI - PUCON
Another early start as today is a long climb. Sollipulli (2,282 meters) is very different to all the other Volcanoes. The track up winds itself through stunning countryside and beautiful forests.
Heading up Sollipulli through the national park.
It's a long hike and one of the hardest from a stamina pont of view but the scenery is spectacular. If you're lucky you may see some condors or a puma!
A Condor circling above us. We must have looked pretty tired!
The 4 km wide crater is covered by a 25km glacier. This low profile volcano is less prominent then it's neighbours Llaima and Villarrica but the views from the top are spectacular. After the ski down we'll drive to Pucon and Volcano Villarrica. We'll be staying at one of our favourite hotels, the Antumalal. Again, get ready to have your breath taken away by the sheer beauty of the view across Lake Villarrica from the Hotel.
DAY 8 SEPT 5
VOLCANO VILLARRICA
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 SEPT 6
VILLARRICA - HUILO HUILO
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 SEPT 7
MOCHO & CHOSHUENCO
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. We may even have time to use the snowcat and get an extra few descents in.
Heading off to the base of Mocho and Choshuenco
Choshuenco. See the ridge on the left of the summit? see the next photo below.
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 SEPT 8
ANTILLANCA
No climbing today. A long drive (5 hours) to Antillanca. We should be there by early afternoon so we can get some time to ski on the local lifts. Antillanca is a small ski resort with some great skiing. Last year 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 9
ANTILLANCA - CASABLANCA VOLCANO
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. 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.
Guido on Casablanca with Volcano Puntiagudo in the background
DAY 13 SEPT 10
OSORNO VOLCANO
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.
 The final climb up Osorno.
Arrive at the top and it feels like you are on top of the world. It's a great ski down and if we've made good time we may have the chance to finish with some skiing using the local lift system.
The final volcano of this amazing adventure. An extraordinary adventure.
 On top of the world. Osorno conquered.
DAY 14 SEPT 11
ORSORNO
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.
DAY 15 SEPT 12
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 13
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 14TH
ARRIVE UK
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