The same Villarrica Volcano that's climbed during summer season (see our trekking guide to the volcano) has, on its slope, a ski resort that operates in winter -a quirk of Pucón: the same mountain offers two completely different activities depending on the time of year.
A smaller resort, great to combine with other plans
Villarrica's ski resort is smaller than Valle Nevado or Portillo, with fewer runs, but it has the advantage of being integrated into everything Pucón already offers as a destination: hot springs, the town itself with its dining scene, and Lake Villarrica at the foot of the mountain.
Who it makes sense for
It's not Chile's most ambitious ski destination, but it works well for anyone already in Araucanía -around Pucón, Villarrica, or on the way to Corralco- who wants to add a snow day without planning a dedicated ski trip. The combination of active volcano, lake and snow in the same place is unusual even by international standards.
As with other resorts on active volcanoes, access can be closed due to volcanic activity or weather conditions, so it's worth checking the resort's status the same day before heading up.
