Planning

Day 1 Get in, Get set
Our guides have everything arranged as you fly in, you will be picked up from the airport and transported to the mountains where on a clear day you can see the four volcanos on the hit list. A lunch stop at Zicatera for the best churrasco in Chile and a perfect view of the volcanos Tolhuaca and Lonquimay en route to the Suizandina Lodge will help you settle in with some orientation. Upon arrival at the lodge a welcome package awaits you with a local mountain maps, t-shirt, hat, souvenir, local brew or wine, and earplugs just in case. After dropping your bags get to know your guide in relaxed atmosphere with a happy hour Picoteo. A pre-trip safety discussion will be conducted to bring you up to speed on current conditions along with a brush up on the use of your beacon, probe and shovel to ensure everyone is on the same page. Close out the night with dinner in house and a night cap, it’s going to be an action packed week!

Day 2 Get After It
Head to Malalcahuello National Reserve with the iconic Volcano Lonquimay in your crosshairs. Warm up your legs and senses at Corralco Ski Resort before leaving the lift behind. Push up the pyramid then along the ridge to the base of the cliff band as the pitch increases, the open air around you gives a sense of comfortable exposure. With crampons securing your steps just breathe through it and follow your guide higher to the summit where an impressive ten volcanic summits are visible. If the snow is nice or you’re looking for some spice you will drop into the crater for lunch below or just enjoy the view from the prominent peak as your guide tells the volcanic history of the surrounding landscape. With three objective summits in sight you have the good fortune of visualizing the routes of ascent and descent helping ease any anxieties that you may have. Take in the beauty before you turn your attention downhill for 4000 vertical feet of exhilaration and joy. Stop by the hotel lounge for a Corralco Sour with piñon* infused pisco to cap off the day while you admire the summit, one down three to go! Dinner at Nalcas Argentinian Grill for great steaks, savory veggies, and excellent personalized attention is the perfect way to end the first day.

Day 3 Rando Split La Fusta
The first full day of randonnée/splitboard on the itinerary brings us to La Fusta, known for its colder temperatures and ability to conserve snow while offering many different routes to solitude. Access is easy utilizing old logging roads that tell stories of past logging operations and their impact on the landscape. During the ascent you will learn about the native trees and the Araucaria which gives our region its name and can grow up to 170 feet tall. Once out of the trees the upper bowl appears in all its splendor with a dozen distinct micro-zones, from the lunar appearance of “Moon Patrol” to the strict 50 degree “DJ Fran Lee.” You’ll be dancing all day with easy ups and hot laps in a zone that has options for everyone. From the summit you will appreciate the incredible Andes landscape with views stretching to the Argentinian border. Lunch in the bowl or on the summit followed by another drop of making turns all the way back to the vehicle. Enjoy an après drink while savoring the view of Lonquimay to the North before returning to town. Dinner at Trafwe will recharge your body with delicious handmade pasta dressed in authentic sauces accompanied by you choice of protein, add one of the best pisco sours around to complete the experience at this local favorite.

DAY 4 Heli Bump Tolhuaca
After a morning safety talk board the helicopter for a short flight to save hours on the approach to the most remote objective on the list. Utilizing the heli bump to the best of its abilities will put us well on the way to the summit and with an upgrade the options are near limitless allowing for a few quick drops before turning our focus to the climb that lies ahead. After a short skin approach is made we will leave gear at a point for a crampon ascent to a “top of the world” summit that drops away around you. This is the most difficult summit to ski from due to its profile and the amount of exposure however, if your skills are up to snuff and the conditions align you could add your name to the short list of those who have. Enjoy the incredible views of Malalcahuello-Nalcas National Reserve before ripping turns through open powder bowls to the valley floor. Upgrade for a heli return or make a short skin out before skiing the remainder to the shuttle vehicle. Dinner will either be at Fundo Laguna Blanca or Suizandina depending on end of day strategy.

Day 5 Flex
Relax or flex your muscles, the choice is up to you. Upgrade to head back into the mountains and keep the streak alive under your own power, with a heli-bump to put you deep and at the top of a drop to start the day off with ease, or with a full day of heliski-heliboarding. Choose to relax and chill out in the naturally heated hot tubs of Manzanar overlooking the Cautin river with flowing stops at the waterfalls Salto del Indio and Salto del Princesa along the way. This floating day is decided by the group and used when desired to give a rest or to maximize the perfect day with helicopter access. End the day in a pub atmosphere at El Randonnés with a South American Style burger or Veggie Burger both locally sourced and made in house. Regardless of your preference there is an ample beer and drinks list to make a perfect pairing.

Day 6 Sierra Nevada Summit to Tubs
Load up in the dark to enjoy sunrise in the mountains with an ascent through magical mixed forests of Araucaria, Coighue, and Lenga trees. The elevation gain is constant but completely mellow allowing you to enjoy the journey, company, and conversation. Exit the trees and skin up the North ridge with stunning views of the surrounding volcanos and our objective straight ahead the entire time. We typically approach to within a half-mile of the summit before changing over to crampons to finish the final climb. A short ridge walk to the summit provides magnificent views of the Conguillio National Park and the East Glacier of the Sierra Nevada Stratovolcano. If the conditions are adequate the descent will be into Cañon del Blanco through a dreamscape labyrinth to the naturally heated tubs below where an Asado del Gaucho will be waiting when we finish. If the decision is made to return to the North, a variation of the ascent will be used to quench the groups desire for big mountain thrills and open arcing turns followed by a visit to the naturally heated tubs of Manzanar overlooking the Cautin River and dinner at the historical hotel.

Day 7 APEX DAY
You’ve seen our beloved Araucanía Andina and we give you this day to propose any objective. Options abound from the most challenging Volcanic Summits to the most remote seldom if ever skied zones with first decent opportunities waiting around every corner. Your group sets the tone for this day with all objectives considered and analyzed. If you’ve seen something in particular that caught your eye and peaked your interest we are here to make that happen for you if at all possible. Interested in going for a completely exploratory mission? Put your boots on early, click on your headlamp and follow as your guide leads you on a once in a lifetime experience through a landscape that impresses more and more with each step. Take the Heli to access that peak “a la chucha” and spend your time on the boarders of Argentina creating lifelong memories. We encourage you to push us to go where we haven’t been while relaxing and enjoying the immersion in the Chilean Andes. Sleep in and get a late start to pull a reverse cycle by ending your day on a summit as the sun sets finishing with headlamps and beers at the vehicle while ordering the best delivery pizza in Chile. This day is an ongoing topic of discussion throughout the week so be comfortable speaking up when you hear the call of the mountain, we’re listening!

Day 8 Fun & Ride
Ascend to Cerro Cautin to access the paradise that lies to the east. Keep the pedal down with a myriad of options including steep rocky zones with roll overs and airs from cliffs in “Freeride” to snakey turns between rocks for a more intimate descent through “The Strainers.” Mellow out with “The Pyramid of Cautin” a long exhilarating decent to the middle of the valley and “The South Easterlies to The Forests of Gnarnia” where at the National Reserves limit the Cautin river begins its journey to the sea. Hot laps or longer shots, the vertical drop is dictated by the group in a zone perfect for crushing lots of turns or for reflecting in this sacred indigenous valley while perfectly aligned with your surroundings. Hot laps or longer shots, the vertical drop is dictated by the group in a zone perfect for crushing lots of turns or for reflecting in this sacred indigenous valley perfectly aligned with your surroundings. When the time is right return to the vehicle while enjoying the views of Volcanos and making the turns count. Stop by Gori’s Restaurant on the way down the hill for the best ribs around accompanied by fine wines and friends.

Day 9 Heli Bump Llaima
Hop back in the bird with the crew as you lift off for Llaima to disembark into an incredible landscape with half of the work already behind you. The youngest, tallest and most recently active volcano on our tour provides expansive views during the entire duration of the ascent as the objective peak stands prominently ahead. A long push up the 35 degree North-West ridge is all that lay between you and the final goal on your Ring of Fire Tour, just Upon reaching the summit the acrid stench of sulfur and the sight of steam rising from the ground around the ice-filled crater mark the finish line, you’ve done it! Take in the views from the highest summit of the Araucania and then turn your attention to the 7000ft descent to the Lagoon Captren. Enjoy the turns and endless beauty of the Conguillio National Park below at stops to rest your legs and take photos along the way. A final toast to the mountains and experience before heading to town for a closing feast and fiesta!

Day 10 Peace and Transportation
Breakfast and transportation to the airport. We’ll see you on the next adventure.

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*Piñon - Pine nuts from the Araucaria tree. The indigenous Mapuche and Pehuenche have relied on these as a staple for their high nutritional value.
*Asado - Chilean BBQ consisting of sausage, beef, lamb, goat, and more modernly with roasted cauliflower, stuffed or grilled zucchini, stuffed peppers, and mushrooms.