Pucón · Volcán Villarrica

Q: Will the Villarrica ski area be open when I visit?

Nobody can promise that. Villarrica is one of the most active volcanoes in South America — it erupted in 2015 — and the mountain closes when the alert level rises, on top of a season that is short to begin with. Check the volcanic alert and whether the lifts are running before travelling, and keep the day flexible. Temuco is around an hour and a half and Pucón 20 minutes from the slopes, so a local instructor who follows the alerts is your best source.

Pucón, AraucaníaSee it on the map

Foto: idobi · CC BY-SA 3.0

Region

Pucón, Araucanía

Country

Chile

Local time

America/Santiago

Currency

USD

The ski area on Villarrica, above Pucón, is on one of the most active volcanoes in South America — it erupted as recently as 2015, and the summit crater glows red at night.

Skiing here means descending a live volcano with Lake Villarrica spread out below, which is as spectacular as it sounds. The season is short and the mountain closes when the alert level rises.

Last reviewed 14 September 2026

Best suited to

Intermediates
Off-piste and freeride

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Where lessons start

Spectacular rather than convenient. Check the volcanic alert level and whether the mountain is open before travelling — this is the Chilean resort most likely to be shut on a given day, and a local instructor will know the situation better than any website.

Getting there

Temuco is around an hour and a half; Pucón is 20 minutes from the slopes.

See it on the map Official resort website

Qualifications required in Chile

Chile has no state teaching licence. The professional standard is the Instructor certification, and Alpine Pal shows what each instructor actually holds so you can judge it for yourself.

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Pucón · Volcán Villarrica: common questions

Will the Villarrica ski area be open when I visit?

Nobody can promise that. Villarrica is one of the most active volcanoes in South America — it erupted in 2015 — and the mountain closes when the alert level rises, on top of a season that is short to begin with. Check the volcanic alert and whether the lifts are running before travelling, and keep the day flexible. Temuco is around an hour and a half and Pucón 20 minutes from the slopes, so a local instructor who follows the alerts is your best source.