While there are ski resorts very close to Santiago, and they are the most popular and crowded – since you can even go by day – if you are one of those who likes to get away from the crowd and mix mountain and forest, e penes Corralco is a very good option to visit.
The route to reach Corralco is a little longer than going to Farellones, Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado. From Santiago you have to take a flight to Temuco, which is the nearest airport, 120 km from the ski center. From there, you must arrange a transfer or rent a car at the airport. In the case of the Ski Corralco hotel, they coordinate the transfer.
Ski Corralco is a 5-star hotel at the foot of the Lonquimay volcano, and within the Malalcahuello National Reserve. With unparalleled views in all the facilities and with different tourist activities for its guests.
In addition to skiing or snowboarding, in this hotel there are also other activities related to the area, such as various trekking in the snow, knowing the history of an araucaria of more than a thousand years, night trekking, cinema, nursery, and after an intense day of sport. What better than to relax in the outdoor jacuzzi with a breathtaking mountain view?
The hotel also has direct shuttle service to the slopes every day every 15 minutes to and from the hotel. This winter paradise is characterized above all by being inside a National Reserve, where it is respected and coexists very respectfully with flora and fauna – it is an everyday thing to see foxes while you are there, even on the slopes. The center is surrounded by ancient araucarias, which gives it a very special touch in the minute of traveling part of the more than 1,800 hectares of the place.
For white sports fans, there are a total of 33 tracks and the season opens in June and closes in November. The best time to visit Corralco is in September, as there begins the good weather and you can enjoy better skiing without so many possibilities of snowing.
Near the ski center there are 4 thermal baths to visit: Tolhuaca, White Canyon, Manzanar and Malalcahuello. In addition there are excursions to the Lonquimay Volcano, a beer spa called Cervecería Lonquimay, a tea and mates lounge called Mate bar, and a high gastronomic offer in the nearest village called Malalcahuello.
Another attraction of this ski resort is that it is the only one in Chile that teaches snowkite classes. For those who do not know about this sport, it is the snow version of kitesurfing, in this case, the board for water, for skis or snowboarding is changed, while a kite drives you. Why corralco? Because it has flat terrain and a lot of wind, ideal conditions to practice this discipline.
From 29 August to 1 September, Snowkite Fest takes place, which brings together more than 70 national and international kitesurfing athletes who also practice snowkite.
Anyone from the age of 7 can learn to do this sport, and in the hotel there are specialized classes and with all the equipment to learn. For more information, please @snowkitechile.
