Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival

• Your guides will handle all of the logistics of your pickup at the Araucania Airport (ZCO) Temuco
• The drive from the airport will include views of volcanoes whilst enroute to the town of Malalcahuello  
• Settle into your home for the week at Hostal Ruta 181 where a welcome package awaits you with a local mountain map, t-shirt, hat, souvenir, local brew or wine, and earplugs just in case.
• Your guide will meet you at the “picoteo” or happy hour where you can get acquainted and discuss the current conditions, and fine tune the plans and objectives of the week.

Day 2 Warm Up

• Start the day right with a great breakfast.  
• Today is all about loosening up your muscles and getting you reacquainted with your gear.
• Corralco Ski Area is waiting with its iconic summit easily within reach from the top T-bar. After maxing out the resort the group will either summit the volcano where you can see 10 volcanic summits including Tolhuaca, Sierra Velluda, Antuco, Callaqui, and Copahue to the North with the Sierra Nevada, Llaima, Sollipulli, Villarica, and LanIn to the South. Slightly North East you can see the Christmas Cone, Crater Navidad which began erupting on Christmas Day 1988 and over 13 months grew over 700 feet skyward.
• If the summit isn’t calling, you will tour the beautiful side country to visit Crater Navidad for a look into the crater before making a descent and skinning back to the resort.
• Throughout the day, avalanche safety will be a hot topic in order to inform you of the actual conditions and to serve as a refresher continuing your growth as a backcountry recreationalist.
• A famous Corralco Sour with piñon infused pisco is in order to celebrate the first epic day on snow!
• Dinner out at Nalcas Parilla Argentina will give you the first taste of delicious South American Asado in a relaxed atmosphere.

Day 3 Ski & Ride

• The first full day of randonnée/splitboard on the itinerary brings you to La Fusta, known for its colder temperatures and ability to conserve snow with 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 the region its name. 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”. 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 before 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 your choice of protein, and you have have one of the best pisco sours around.

Day 4 Cultural Day

• There will be skinning and skiing first with a mellow objective including up to 3 descents before you shift gears.
• You will pass through many indigenous communities while traveling in the Araucania where many of the families continue to live the way they have for centuries. Adding depth to the experience of travel fuels us to open up the world of our guests with a first hand experience of a culture profoundly respectful of Mother Earth.
• A traditional meal will be served for lunch in a Ruca (hut) where the host or hostess will share stories of indigenous history and belief. The guides have fantastic relations with the communities of Peñi in the zone, and working with various families allows this program to benefit several communities while getting to know their individual cultural nuances.    

Day 5 Flex

• You have options.
• You can upgrade to head back into the mountains to keep the streak alive under the power of your own legs or with a heli-bump (date dependent) to put you deep and at the top of a drop to start the day off with ease.
• Or you can choose to 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 that's locally sourced and made in house.  

Day 6 Sierra Nevada Volcano to Termas Cañon del Blanco

• This incredible tour starts with breakfast burritos and coffee enroute to the Sierra Nevada. Heading South you will utilize the smooth ascent along the ridge as you skin through ancient stands of Araucaria trees gaining elevation effortlessly as the object comes into sight. You'll continue up the gradual ridge while enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and volcanos until you arrive at the crux. With crampons and stable footing you will work your way up the last section to the summit where you'll be greeted by breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada Glacier, Conguillio Lake, and Llaima with its twin volcanic peaks.
• The descent will have you skiing your way down to the Araucarias below to stop for lunch, then the trees will change from Araucarias to Coíghue.
• You'll reach “Los Baños del Toro” or The Baths of the Bull where a next level picoteo awaits with frosty beverages, towels, and slippers. After soaking until completely relaxed, towel off and put on fresh socks for the short cruise back to the vehicle.
• To top off this experience the group will stop by for an “Asado del Gaucho” with organic local lamb and vegetarian delicacies roasted over a fire pit.

Day 7 Objective TBD

• This day is for the group to propose any objective. Options abound from the most challenging volcanic summits to the most remote seldom if ever skied zones. Or take the heli to access that peak “a la chucha” and spend your time on the border of Argentina. Or end the day on a summit as the sun sets, finishing with headlamps and beers at the vehicle while ordering the best delivery pizza in Chile.  

Day 8 Ski & Ride

• The final day on snow brings you back towards the Lonquimay Volcano and the Malalcahuello National Reserve where you will ascend to Cerro Cautin to access the paradise that lies to the east. Options include steep rocky zones with roll overs and airs from cliffs in “Freeride” to snaky turns between rocks for a more intimate descent through “The Strainers. ” Or relax for the final day with few more steps to the North and enjoy “The Pyramid of Cautin” with a long exhilarating descent 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.
• When the time is right, return to the vehicle while enjoying the views of volcanoes and making the last turns count.
• Return to El Randonnés for a party with Miércoles de Actitud where all the locals and tourists go to get loose.

Day 9 Farewell

• American style breakfast with mimosas or Irish coffee is the perfect way to close out this incredible time with your group before loading up and rolling to the airport.
• Be sure to book a window seat on the right side of the plane so that you can look back on all the peaks you ripped during your trip.

Rates & Inclusions

Rates 2025

• US$4,499 per person for mixed group tour on Aug 24th 
• US$3,590 per person for shorter mixed group tour on Aug 12th
• This trip proceeds with a minimum of 3 people. If the minimum is not reached you will be given the option to buy the remaining spots necessary or a full refund will be given.
• If you want to check availability or have any other questions please get in touch

• 8 nights lodging at Hostal Ruta 181
• 6 days guided backcountry skiing/snowboarding with guest to guide ratio of 4:1
• Transportation to/from all outings & dinners, to/from Temuco Airport (ZCO)
• 2 Corralco Ski Resort passes for flex and Lonquimay summit approach
• 1 flex day upgrade to ski or relax in Manzanar naturally heated hot tubs with waterfall visits
• 1 afternoon hot tubs Cañon del Blanco
• 1 Asado del Gaucho with lamb, beef, sausage, roasted vegetables, and vegan options
• Breakfasts of locally sourced ingredients
• Boxed lunches of locally sourced ingredients
• Daily après Chilean wine, micro-brews, local spirits
• Dinner with 2 drinks
• Activities insurance
• 1 afternoon indigenous cultural experience
• Welcome package of souvenirs

• Flex to ski day $150pp
• Single occupancy + $800
• Lodging at Corralco Hotel & Spa
• Private cabin
• Equipment rentals (ski, board, skins, poles, boots, crampons, ice-axes, beacon, probe, shovel, and backpacks available)
• Concierge services

• Flights
• Mandatory travel insurance
• Extra curricular transportation

Terms & Conditions

Booking

• Your initial deposit is equal to 20% of your total trip cost for All-Inclusive programs. The "Deposit" for each trip that you are applying to book is non-refundable.
• APEX Multi-day Program Final Payments due and payable directly to APEX Backcountry Guides through Bank Transfer, Major Credit Card, PayPal, Wise, or Cash twenty-one (21) days before the commencement date for all trips booked; and that in cases where these Final Payments are not received twenty-one (21) days ahead of time, APEX Backcountry Guides reserves the right to release these spaces and you will forfeit your Deposit.
• Furthermore, ALL PAYMENTS for APEX Backcountry Guides services are deemed Deposits for the purposes of the terms of booking and are non-refundable.
• APEX Backcountry Guides may or may not allow you to use your deposit toward a future reservation. Get travel insurance.
• 5% Discount for payments made in full.

Cancelation by Apex

• If APEX Backcountry Guides is forced to cancel due to uncontrollable circumstances a FULL REFUND will be given. APEX Backcountry Guides relies on satellite communications and a well-developed plan of emergency response organized with the local SAR providing a shortened response time with access to snowmobile and helicopter evacuations if necessary.

Cancelation by Guest

• 20% of total program cost non-refundable deposit - greater than 60 days
• 60 -14 days from trip = forfeit 70% of trip cost
• less than 14 days from trip = forfeit 100% trip cost