Mountain Feature: Llaima

Volcán Llaima is a stunning peak, which dominates the eastern view from Temuco, located between the more popular peaks of Volcán Villarrica and Volcán Lonquimay.  

I don't get to ski Llaima very often.  There are several ways to get to the summit, but none of them are easy.  The most straightforward way is to leave from the small ski resort and head up the mountain's west face.  The trick with this is that you have to cross a huge plateau just above the resort, which adds a lot of distance to the day.  The upside is that the light on this plateau can be amazing in the evening!  (see photo above.)

On a good year, you can approach from the east, which would be a big day, but also a big, continuous descent.  I have heard, but never confirmed, that it is possible to do it from the north.  I think you have to time it just right – when the road is melted out, but the snow still hits the road.  From what I can tell, this would be a world-class descent.

Llaima doesn't have a 'town' to call it's own.  Temuco is a city.  It's a cool, small, Chilean city, but it doesn't feel like a mountain town for sure.  Most people ski Llaima from Pucón, which makes for a long day.  You can also do it from the Lonquimay area, so sometimes it gets done while connecting those two destinations.  

If you only have a week in Chile, Llaima probably won't make the list.  But if you're there for two, you should put it on.  It's a little bit of a hassle, but there's no one there and the terrain is stunning.