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Travel to Villarrica-Pucón with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Located in the scenic lake district region of Chile, Villarrica-Pucón is about 500 miles south of Santiago and southeast of Temuco. It is a popular ski resort known for its spectacular terrain of steeps and jumps, while it resides on the well known Villarrica volcano in the Villarrica National Park and also boasts natural hot springs.

The resort centre at Villarrica-Pucón has all the usual ski services and facilities including an excellent ski school, ski equipment rentals and repair workshop, a boutique, cafeteria and medical clinic.

Villarrica-Pucón ski resort has commendable statistics, with 20 well-groomed slopes stretching 23 miles long and a 3,150 feet vertical with high quality snow. Snowboarders and experts will especially have good fun here with the widely varied terrain and half pipes. Nine chairlifts, five of which are seated-doubles, supply the slopes and the uplift capacity is 5,000 skiers per hour.

Just to the east, Pucón is the accommodation base for Villarrica-Pucón ski resort, with plenty of hotels, hostels and cabins. The resort base at Villarrica itself has some après-ski facilities such as a café, restaurant and bar, while Pucón is the place to go for all night fun at the many restaurants, bars and discos.

Villarrica-Pucón ski resort is a long way from the nearest alternative ski resort of Llaima, but the natural beauty of the region in Villarrica National Park, featuring the gorgeous hot springs and pristine Villarrica Lake, is a perfect sightseeing alternative away from the slopes.

The ski season at Villarrica-Pucón ski resort runs from July to November, with the cheapest rates in October and November during the week and the best snow in July. The most convenient means of transport to Villarrica-Pucón is to fly to Temuco and then transfer to the resort by private shuttle bus or hire car.

Skiing in Villarrica-Pucón

Villarrica-Pucón ski resort has a cracking location on the slopes of the awesome Villarrica volcano, within the Villarrica National Park and amid Chile’s lake district. It is a favourite with thrill-seeker skiers and snowboarders due to its heavy pisted terrain and off-piste powder, yet it has a decent number of runs suitable for every level of ability.

The 23 miles of pisted runs at Villarrica-Pucón are divided into 20 slopes, 20 per cent of which are for beginners, 30 per cent for intermediates, 30 per cent for advanced sliders and 20 per cent for experts. Nine lifts provide slope access up the 3,150-feet vertical and there is also cross country terrain for the adventurous.

Villarrica-Pucón ski resort has an array of alternative, off-piste activities including hiking, mountaineering, snowmobiling and snowshoeing, while relaxation is provided by the hot water springs and wellness facilities at Pucón. Pucón also provides après-ski delights, with a collection of restaurants, bars and discos.

Facilities at the resort village are good, with well-stocked rental stores and a ski shop, ski school and clinic. However, there is no on-slope accommodation at the Villarrica-Pucón ski resort; the nearby village of Pucón provides places to stay at its wide variety of lodgings ranging from budget hostels to the upmarket Grand Hotel Pucón.

The best snow conditions can be found during the July to November ski season at Villarrica-Pucón and cheaper rates are offered at the end of the season on weekdays. Taking a short flight from Santiago to Temuco and then a private pre-booked shuttle to Villarrica-Pucón is the best travel option.

Transportation to Villarrica-Pucón

Villarrica-Pucón ski resort is located in the stunning Villarrica National Park, 78 miles southeast of Temuco and 500 miles south of Santiago, and it is accessible by an unsealed road only. The main transportation options for getting here include a bus and shuttle combination from Santiago, driving all the way from Santiago or flying to Temuco and then taking a shuttle bus, the latter option being the most practical.

If you are driving from Santiago, take the main route 5 south through Temuco and just before the town of Pitrufguén turn southeast onto the CH119 towards Villarrica and Pucón. The road from here is paved most of the way except for the last few miles up to Villarrica-Pucón ski resort. Snow chains are obligatory in the winter.

Santiago-Benitez Airport receives flights with various carriers from many US and European cities; however, those coming from London will be routed through a US city such as New York or Miami. There are regular flights from Santiago to Temuco Maquehue Airport, from where taxis and bus number 1 run to the city centre. Private shuttles leave from here for Villarrica-Pucón ski resort throughout the day.

A cheaper way to travel is to reach Temuco by train from the capital, but it’s a fairly long journey and involves much more planning. Buses also run to Temuco from Santiago’s main terminal and are very cheap; luxury buses with reclining seats also run to Temuco.

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