Corralco, in Araucanía, is one of Chile's newest and least crowded ski resorts, built on the slopes of Lonquimay Volcano. For those already familiar with the busier resorts near Santiago, Corralco offers a much quieter experience, with fewer people per run.
Volcanic snow and araucaria forests
What sets Corralco apart is the scenery: you ski among araucaria forests -the same iconic tree found in nearby Conguillío National Park- with the cone of Lonquimay Volcano always on the horizon, quite different from the arid high-mountain landscape of the central-zone resorts.
How to get there
Corralco is in the Malalcahuello National Reserve, near the towns of Malalcahuello and Curacautín, about 120 km from Temuco, the region's largest city with its own airport. It's the most practical ski option for anyone touring Araucanía who doesn't want to travel all the way to Santiago just to ski.
Being a smaller resort, on-mountain lodging is more limited than at Valle Nevado or Portillo; many visitors stay in Malalcahuello, Curacautín or in cabins in the area and drive up for the day.
