NDC Terrain & Hikes
I. Nevados de Chillán Ski Resort — Technical Summary
Location: Las Trancas, Ñuble Region, Southern Chile
Base Elevation: (Tata Base : 1,530 mt, 5020 ft) – (Otto Base : 1,650 mt, 5414 ft)
Top Lift Access: ~2,400 mt – 7847 ft
Vertical Drop: ~870 m -- 2854 ft from top lift to Tata base
| Hotel Termas Chillán | 1,600 m | 5,249 ft |
| Hotel Nevados de Chillán | 1,540 m | 5,052 ft |
| Hotel Alto Nevados | 1,798 m | 5,899 ft |
Skiable Terrain
- Total marked pistes: ~35 km of runs across 28–33 trails
- Beginner: ~10 km (~30 %)
- Intermediate: ~15 km (~40 %)
- Advanced/Expert: ~10 km (~30 %)
- Terrain character: Mixture of groomed slopes and volcanic terrain, with opportunities for natural off‑piste and backcountry skiing adjacent to the resort terrain
Lifts & Access
- Total lifts: typically ~11 (4 double chairs, 1 triple chair, ~6 surface lifts)
- Chairlifts: multiple fixed‑grip chairs serving mid‑ and upper‑mountain terrain
- Surface lifts: T-bars, J-bars, and magic carpets for base/learning areas
- Longest chairlift: “Don Otto” (~2,500 m length) provides access to high terrain but is slower relative to modern high-speed lifts
Longest Run
- Las Tres Marías: ~13 km — one of the longest continuous ski runs in South America, descending through varied terrain, including forests and open slopes from upper mountain toward lower elevations
Out-of-Bounds / Lift-Accessible Freeride Sections
On the resort map, three notable out-of-bounds areas are commonly skied. All are lift-accessed but outside the patrolled boundaries, with variable avalanche risk:
| Section | Location | Characteristics | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Candado & Piedra del Elefante | Left side Closed | Rock outcropping landmark; mixed open bowls and ridges | Moderate - High avalanche risk |
| Pico del Novio | Right side Closed | Exposed ridges and lava-field terrain; longest freeride lines | High avalanche risk |
Riders must carry proper avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, probe) and preferably travel with local guides when skiing these zones (photo below, Piedra del elefante)
Additional Resort Features
- Hot springs & thermal facilities: multiple thermal bathing options near the base; easy to access after skiing
- Backcountry access: The broader Nevados de Chillán volcanic area offers extensive side- and backcountry terrain beyond marked pistes, best explored with guides and proper safety gear
- Scenery: Dramatic Andes volcano views, native forests intersecting some runs, and expansive snowfields
Who It’s Good For
- Intermediate to advanced skiers/boarders: plenty of terrain and long descents
- Powder hunters & freeriders: natural terrain and off‑piste options
- Adventurers: combination of backcountry access and resort skiing, especially when conditions allow guided sidecountry exploration
II. Hikes
Peak / Area | Elevation | Duration (Round Trip) | Difficulty | Terrain / Notes |
Cumbre Nevados de Chillán | 3,212 m (10,538 ft) | 6–10 hrs | Advanced / Alpine | Glaciated summit, snowfields; crevasses possible; ice axe, crampons, rope required; |
Volcán Viejo | 3,122 m (10,242 ft) | 4–6 hrs | Moderate | Volcanic slopes; mostly snow; ice axe, crampons, |
Volcán Nuevo | 3,186 m (10,452 ft) | 5–7 hrs | Advanced | Steep slopes; possible wind slabs; technical descent; can link to glacier, ice axe, crampons |
Aguas Calientes | 2,000 m (6,500 ft) | 4–6 hrs | Moderate | Open volcanic slopes; hike in -hike out (start at base 1700mt, saddle at 2400, descend to 2000mt) . Optional connect to C. Pirigallo |
Cerro Pirigallo | 2,560 m (8,399 ft) | 4–6 hrs | Advanced | Mixed volcanic/alpine slopes, ridges, couloirs; technical descents |
Valle Hermoso | 2,200–2,600 m (7,218–8,530 ft) | 2–4 hrs | Easy–Moderate | sheltered Hike in - ski out |
Nevados Vn Nuevo Vn Viejo C Pirigallo V Hermoso
III. Sled Assisted Back Country (Included in Trip Packages)
- 2 rides from top lift, 10 minutes each, which give me a 15 minute descent to the base of the resort. (chair ride back to the top 45 min)
- 1 snowmobile tour hot springs that includes 2 long runs (each 10-20 min depending on stops, one in and one out of valley, extra laps in the valley paid separately)
- Both activities are the same length 2 - 3.5 hours depending on stops
- Selected day after the storm cycle
- Included in Trip: Nevados Powder Session Ski in Ski Out, and Nevados Powder Session Stay in Town
IV. Sled Bumps
Option 1: 4 & 5 Marías (Short sled ride up, long ride down)
- Pricing / Session: Per bump / ride.
- Type: Single-ride sled bumps.
- Terrain: 500 meter sled bumps off the top of the Mirador lift, flowing into mellow sidecountry terrain.
- Descent: All the way to the bottom of the ski resort — >2,500 m off-piste.
- Access: Start at Mirador lift; lift back up for additional runs.
- Ideal For: Intermediate to advanced riders looking for a long, continuous descent with jumps and rollers.
- Gear: Sled, helmet, goggles, gloves, waterproof clothing.
Option 2: Anfiteatro Bowls (cornice & jumps session)
- Pricing / Session: ½ Day or Full day
- Type: Sled-assisted / sled evacuation activity.
- Terrain: Side valley behind the 5 Marías drop-off with natural volcanic bowls, cornice & jumps.
- Slope: Moderate, technical sections for intermediate to advanced riders.
- Run Length: ~100–300 m per descent.
- Access: Snowmobile lift required to reach the top — no uphill hiking or skinning allowed.
- Session Duration: 3 hours - full day per session.
- Group Ratio: 1 sled per 2 participants.
- Gear: Sled, helmet, goggles, gloves, waterproof clothing.
IV. Sled + Backcountry Hybrid
Two Modalities:
Modality | Concept | Gear / Notes |
Assisted Touring | Participants ski/skin; sled follows for emergency support or gear transport | 1 sled per 3 people; helmet, avalanche kit mandatory |
Full Sled Experience | Pure sledding; snowmobile takes you up; ride down | 1 sled per 2 people; no touring gear needed; helmet, avalanche kit mandatory |
V. Aguas Calientes – Touring Modalities
1. Easy Day Tour
- Route: Standard valley entrance → optional laps
- Duration: 3–5 hrs | Elevation gain: 400–700 m | Difficulty: Moderate
2. Pirigallo Summit → South Face Entry
- Route: Ascent of Cerro Pirigallo →descent South face to Aguas Calientes valley
- Duration: 5–8 hrs | Elevation gain: 900–1,200 m | Difficulty: Moderate–Difficult
3. Overnight / Expedition
- Concept: Valley as base camp; multi-day access to Pirigallo, upper ridges, Optional sled support
- Duration: 1–2+ days | Difficulty: Moderate–Advanced