Centro Pillán

The Centro Pillán ski resort (formerly Pucón) is one of the fastest-growing ski areas in the southern hemisphere. It is located just 20 minutes from Pucón, in Chile. It offers basic facilities for skiing and snowboarding, with some slopes designed to host major international competitions. It is considered a natural snowboarder’s paradise, thanks to its half-pipes and natural gullies. Everything you need to make the most of a mountain holiday.

The Centro Pillán ski resort

The Centro Pillán ski resort is situated on the northern slope of the Villarrica Volcano, within Villarrica National Park. Chile offers you the chance to ski on a volcano, a truly authentic experience in South America’s wildest wilderness.

If you’re keen to try your hand at skiing for the first time but don’t have any experience or equipment, there’s no need to worry. The Pillán Centre has a ski and snowboard school, a ski and snowboard equipment hire shop, and a top-class café offering a full range of food and drink. Shopping enthusiasts will also find a boutique equipped to meet all their needs in the mountains, and a Mini Club run by professional educators, who organise daily activities for the youngest members of the family.

The ski slopes at Centro Pillán

The Centro Pillán ski resort offers 30 km of skiable slopes, with a maximum altitude of 2,100 metres and a minimum of 1,380 metres, providing a vertical drop of 720 metres for some incredible runs. In addition, the resort has 17 runs, including 9 easy runs (12 km), 6 intermediate runs (10 km) and 2 difficult runs (8 km). It also has various ski lifts to facilitate the ascent to the resort’s highest point.

Activities at the Centro Pillán ski resort

The Centro Pillán ski resort is eagerly awaited by many in winter, as a place to enjoy winter sports. It has qualified instructors for skiing and snowboarding; experts have described this ski resort as a paradise for these sports. Due to the characteristics of the volcano, the off-piste runs offer a unique and indescribable thrill. You can also go sledging, take snowshoe walks and go on a dog sled tour with Huskies.

Sustainable development of the Centro Pillán ski resort

The Pucón Municipal Council unanimously approved the report on the Integrated Analysis, thereby launching the second phase of the Master Plan for Sustainable Urban and Territorial Development. The Sustainable Development Plan for Pucón is a community agreement based on the interests and priorities expressed by the local residents.

It aims to establish an agreement between the community and the authorities with a view to identifying specific public and private projects and investments for the sustainable development of Pucón.

The aim of this stage is to develop a vision of what we want for Pucón. And the final step is to agree on the projects that will be prioritised to bring that vision to life. “The next stage seeks to build a shared community vision of the Pucón we dream of. How do we want things to be in 10, 20 and 30 years’ time? What kind of town, lake, forests and rivers do we want to leave to our children and grandchildren? The actions we will take today to achieve this and what needs to be done.”

Unforgettable experiences at Centro Pillán

One of the most unusual and fun activities on offer at the Centro Pillán ski resort is the Snow Scoot. It’s a sort of bicycle adapted for snowboarding. You can enjoy incredible descents down the resort’s slopes, as if you were surfing on the snow. A spectacular experience that you simply mustn’t miss if you’re visiting Pucón. Give it a go!

Centro Pillán mountain resort in summer

The town of Pucón is internationally renowned for its natural beauty and exciting activities. During the summer season, Pucón offers a wide range of activities, including visits to volcanic caves, rafting on the Trancura River, expeditions to the Villarrica volcano, fishing, horse riding or mountain biking through the mountains and forests, visits to thermal pools, waterfalls and lakes. Everything you need to enjoy the beautiful landscapes that Pucón has to offer.

Hotels in Centro Pillán

Hotel Enjoy Pucón ***

The Enjoy Pucon is situated on the shores of Lake Villarrica, just a few metres from the Pucón ski resort, and features a casino and two heated swimming pools. It also has a poolside terrace, a gym and a massage service. The hotel offers rooms with panoramic views of the lake, the volcano or the swimming pool, subject to availability. The restaurant serves a continental breakfast every morning. The hotel houses the Enjoy Tours office, where, for an additional charge, you can hire equipment for a range of adventure activities, such as skiing, and receive assistance in organising visits and excursions in the region. Private parking is free of charge.

Hotel Pucón Green Park ***

The Hotel Pucon Green Park is located just 4 km from the Pucón ski resort and a 3-minute drive from the centre of Pucón. It offers accommodation in a quiet area surrounded by gardens and nature, with views of the Villarrica volcano and the Quelhue mountain range. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. The rooms feature a minibar, TV, safe, heating and a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries. There is also a seasonal outdoor swimming pool surrounded by lush gardens where guests can enjoy snacks and fresh fruit juice. The Las Hortensias restaurant serves typical Chilean fusion cuisine as well as regional dishes.

Hotel Cumbres del Sur ***

The Hotel Cumbres del Sur is located in the centre of Pucón, 850 metres from Lake Villarrica and a 5-minute drive from the Pucón ski resort. The hotel serves a daily buffet breakfast. Free public parking is also available. The rooms feature a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom with a shower or bath, and views of the surrounding area. There is also a communal lounge and a 24-hour reception offering a tourist information service. Hotel Cumbres del Sur is a 25-minute drive from the nearest thermal baths and 5 km from Villarrica National Park.

Skiing at Centro Pillán: the resort’s highlights

Situated on the slopes of the Villarrica volcano, right in the heart of Chilean Patagonia, Centro Pillán offers a unique skiing experience, characterised by the volcanic landscape of the surrounding area, panoramic views over the lakes of southern Chile, and a much more authentic and peaceful atmosphere than that of the large international resorts. Situated just a few kilometres from Pucón, one of South America’s most vibrant outdoor destinations, the resort combines snow, adventure and spectacular scenery in a unique natural setting.

One of the main attractions of Centro Pillán is precisely its location on the Villarrica volcano, one of Chile’s most iconic and active volcanoes. Skiing here means gliding past breathtaking views of native forests, Andean lakes and snow-capped peaks, in a landscape that changes constantly depending on the weather and the light in the Andes. The sensation of skiing on a volcano adds a very special dimension to the experience.

The resort also stands out for its welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. Far from the more exclusive or overcrowded atmosphere of other destinations, Centro Pillán retains a warm and authentic character, making it ideal both for skiers wishing to discover skiing in Chile and for travellers looking to combine snow, hot springs, fine dining and adventure in the Araucanía region.

Another of its strengths is how well it complements the tourist destination of Pucón. After a day’s skiing, visitors can enjoy restaurants, boutique hotels, hot springs, outdoor activities or even excursions to Villarrica National Park. This combination of mountains, volcanoes, wellness and nature makes the experience much more than just a skiing holiday.

Thanks to the resort’s altitude and the climate of the Andes mountain range, snowfall usually ensures good conditions during the southern hemisphere winter, particularly between July and September. For many European skiers, Centro Pillán also offers the chance to enjoy the unique experience of skiing in summer, discovering the snow of the Andes when the season has already ended in Europe.