Termas De Chillan Information
Termas de Chillan offers you the opportunity to enjoy a ski resort in Chile in the middle of truly unique and amazing natural surroundings. The natural reserve of Bío Bío is dominated by the Chillan volcano, with forests, snowed-capped mountains and thermal pools fed by natural hot springs.
Termas de Chillan offers a variety of activities besides the amazing skiing and snowboarding. You can go snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling or cross country skiing. Even though the resort is located in the middle of the forest, the slopes of Termas de Chillan are predominantly above tree line. Although trees surround the base village and lowest lifts, there is very little "tree skiing and riding". As you crest the first ridge, the vast expanses of slopes at Termas become apparent. A variety of groomed runs slice through fields of powder, broad bowls, and exciting cornice drops. Experts are amazed by the steep bowls and chutes off the Don Otto lift while skiers and snowboarders looking for more adventure often hike the peaks above the resort for breathtaking views and exhilarating descents back to the village.
The active geology of the region makes Termas a truly unique ski experience. Located on the lower slopes of the active 9,600 foot Volcan Chillan, Termas is the only ski resort in Chile with natural hot springs at its base. The infamous Pirigallo Bowl, for example, is known for its sulfur scent and billowing clouds of steam that rise from fumaroles and mud pots, which dot the slopes. The thermal activity also creates the hot springs that inspired the ski resort’s world-class spa. In fact, Termas is one of only two resorts on Earth where ski runs intersect such geo-thermal features!
Its southern location has earned a reputation for some of the best quality snow in South America. But sometimes the resort has warmer temperatures and more rainfalls than Portillo, Las Lenas and Valle Nevado not being able to ski all the way to the base. However, in weak snow years, Termas de Chillan usually gets more snow than any other of the Patagonian resorts.
Termas de Chillan has t-bars and pomas in the high alpine that make it easier to access the top during windy periods and after big storms than accessing the top of other resorts like Las Lenas.
Termas de Chillan is a great resort for any skier, snowboarder or family looking for a truly different experience, it is the perfect place for outdoors and nature lovers.
• Snowpark
Termas de Chillán also has a Snowpark for snowboarding which is 250 mts long and has a quarterpipe, a fun box, rails and kickers. It is South America ´s first snow park. It has NO HALFPIPE, don´t believe what other companies say, they have probably never been here before...
• Nordic Skiing
For an incomparable cross-country experience, Termas de Chillán has a professionally groomed Nordic trail system located at an altitude of 1,600 meters (5,250 feet), that lets you wind your way along gentle slopes through enchanted, snow-covered forests.
• Randonée
Randonée Nestled in the magnificent Southern Andes Mountains in Chile, on the slopes of majestic Chillán volcano, the resort offers spectacular ski terrain and breathtaking views, ideal for Randonée enthusiasts. Take an unforgettable guided ski tour to the volcano's very summit and discover the serene beauty of Nevado glacier. For all your ski rental needs, the ski center has three complete ski shops, located in the Gran Hotel, Hotel Pirigallo, and the resort's Service Center.
• Heli Skiing
For Heliskiers, Termas de Chillán has almost 25,000 acres of skiable backcountry terrain, providing experts and intermediates with that dose of virgin powder.
Maximizing satisfaction and safety, each descent is guided by expert guides. Sightseeing heli-tours of the resort's majestic surroundings can also be arranged at the ski school.
• Termas de Chillan Ski Resort Statistics
• Skiable acreage – 27,710 acres
• Longest run - 8 miles (12.8 km)
• Total groomed runs - 325 acres
• Average annual snowfall - 398 inches (1010 cm)
• Peak Elevation- 26,902 feet (8,200 meters)
• Base Elevation- 19,356 feet (5,900 meters)
• Total vertical - 3,600 feet (1,097 meters)
• Greatest Vertical Drop- 7,545 feet (2,300 meters)
• Runs/Trails- Beginner: 30%, Intermediate: 40%, Expert: 30%
• Total number of Lifts: 11
• Typical Chile Skiing Season: June, July, August, September, October
Services And Facilities
The top hotels are the Gran Hotel Termas (which is one of the best hotels in all of Chile) and Hotel Prigallo.
After your day of enjoying the skiing in Chile, relax at the resort’s famous full-service hot springs spa, including three hot spring pools (one indoor and one outdoor). The 120 room Gran Hotel provides heated common areas, restaurants, game rooms, conference facilities, bar, stores, hair salon, fitness gym, squash and tennis courts, and a children’s day care center. The Hotel Pirigallo has 48 rooms, a dining room, and a bar with an open-hearth fireplace. Here you will also find game rooms, a nursery, and another hot spring spa with an outdoor thermally heated pool. There are three complete ski shops, retail stores, a clubhouse, a chapel, and a cafeteria as well. Termas de Chillan is Chile´s ski classic!
• Club House
Hotel and condominium guests enjoy access to the resort's inviting Club House, which features a pool, pub and restaurant, as well as regularly scheduled cultural and social events, providing fun and entertainment for the whole family in a relaxed setting.
• Mini-market
A convenient mini-market, stocked with basic necessities, is available to the resort's condominium guests.
• Casino
This is the first mountain casino in Chile. With all the luxury and the typical Chillán style, guests may gamble and have fun during their stay at this exclusive mountain range resort.
• Chapel
Catholic Mass is celebrated every Sunday in the resort's chapel, where nature and inner-space blend in perfect harmony, providing an opportunity for reflection and inspiration.
• Snowmobile Park
Snowmobiles can be rented and used on a specially designed, groomed course.
• Dogsledding
Dogsledding is a one-of-a-kind adventure. Guides will take you on an exciting ride through the winter wonderland in the heart of the Andes.
Getting There
International guests to Termas de Chillan fly into Santiago, Chile. From there, you have several options to get down there. Termas de Chillan is located 300 miles away from Santiago (a six hours drive). Concepcion sits on the Pacific coast 120 miles west of the resort (2.5 hours away from it). This major airport has many flights daily from Santiago. Chillan is a smaller city between the sea and the Andes Mountains, 50 miles northwest of Termas and it takes a 15 minutes drive to get to the neighbouring small town of Las Trancas.
• Domestic Fligths
From Santiago, fly to Concepcion or Chillan. There are several flights each day to Concepcion, making it the most common connection, there´s two flights in the morning that are the best option available. Chillan is serviced by one flight weekly from Santiago. This flight is only on Saturdays from June 25 - August 14 to accommodate the Chilean and Brazilian winter holidays. Ground transfers from both airports are included.
• Train
Fast and modern, train service from Santiago to Chillan takes 5 hours 15 minutes. It costs USD 30 one way in superior class and USD 25 in standard class. We recommend superior class.
Depending on your international flights, taking the train can be faster than flying and is certainly less expensive. Ground transfers from the train station to Termas are included in your ski package and take about 1 hour. We can help to arrange transfers from the Santiago airport to the train station. All trains leave from Santiago at the Estación Central (Santiago´s Central Train Station).
• Resort Shuttles
Transportation to Termas de Chillan from either the Concepcion Airport, Chillan Airport or Chillan rail station is included in your package price. NOTE: Termas shuttles are only available from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Arrivals and departures outside of this time will need to pay an additional transfer fee.
Runs And Lifts
At Chillán ski resort, the base is at 1,600 meters and its maximum height is 2,700 meters, reaching a 1,100-meter vertical drop. It offers 29 runs in excellent condition and 11 lifts. 30% of the surface is conditioned for beginners, 40% for intermediate level and the remaining 30% only for experts.
The 13-kilometer-long Las tres Marías run is the resort's pride. It is the longest in South America and, after going down the white slopes, it gets into the heart of a fantastic forest of ancient trees.
Likewise, there is a special cross-country ski circuit at 1,600 meters of height, surrounding a native forest with mild slopes that turns this variety into a matchless experience in Chillán.
The vast slopes show a fascinating view of the Andes Mountain Range and invite visitors to practice randonee, offering the possibility of reaching the top of the Chillán Volcano and be amazed at the beauty of the Nevado Glacier.
There are several runs for snowboarding professionals and amateurs with interesting challenges as regards jumps and extreme speed. As well, the snow-park features natural cornices in its fields, where several competitions are held.
Chillán offers an amusing snowmobile circuit and a trail for sleds pulled by Alaskan Malamute dogs to enjoy with the family or friends.
Ski School
Expert professors of various nationalities manage the ski school in Termas de Chillán. Open for all levels, both individual and group lessons are dictated on the several snow sports modalities, mainly skiing and snowboarding.
Guide Service
Hiring a local guide is a great way to learn a new mountain. A guide will know the best lifts and trails for skiers and riders of all abilities, allowing you to maximize your time and enjoyment on the slopes. Off-piste, a guide offers valuable knowledge of terrain, weather, routes and powder stashes, and in-valuable knowledge of snow-safety and avalanche conditions. The ski school can arrange a guide for you or inquire locally for more information.
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