Home to South America´s longest ski run—which comes in at a whopping 8 miles (12 kilometers)—there’s much more to Termas de Chillan than hot springs. The resort offers a myriad of snow-centered activities, which include everything from dog sledding and skiing, alongside relaxing hot springs that prove perfect for travelers tired from a day of skiing.
Termas de Chillan’s elevated position—at 5,248 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level—means that it’s home to some of the area’s best skiing trails. There are 28 tracks of varying lengths and difficulties, most of which run through native forests, as well as tracks for snowboarding. Night and Nordic skiing is on offer, as well as a Heliski experience, which takes you to usually off-limits ski tracks in a helicopter.
Non-skiers can rent a snowmobile and explore the snowy landscapes with ease; race your companions during a dogsled ride; or go paintballing in the snow. At the end of the day, the nine sulfur and iron swimming pools, which are open year-round, await aching muscles.
It's possible to take a train or a bus from Santiago to the city of Chillan, located less than 50 miles (78 kilometers) west of the resort and volcano. Once you arrive in the city of Chillan, you need to take a local bus to the village of Las Trancas or Hotel Termas de Chillan. Planes fly between Santiago and the nearby city of Concepcion.
The ski season runs from June through early October, when snowfall is high and the chance of a snowstorm is low. The resort and spa stays open year-round.
After a long and cold day of activities in the snow, there’s nothing more appealing than a soak in a thermal hot spring followed by a relaxing spa treatment. Spa treatments are rooted in nature and use naturally-occurring products such as algae and mineral-enriched salts to refresh and rejuvenate the skin.
