Nevado de Chillan

Staying slope-side is a popular option for many tourists, however the more traveler-orientate snowboarders tend to stay down in Las Trancas, where the locals live and parties are more vibrant.

Eatery options on the mountain are very extensive. Regular outdoor BBQs and substantially sized burgers seem to be the go on the mountain. The local town of Las Trancas has plenty of small cafes and restaurants to chose from.

Nevados de Chillan has three slope-side hotels (two with their own thermal spa pools), catering to a few different budgets, but all on the upper-end of the price spectrum. The facilities are good however and staying up on the resort is a great option for families.

Those seeking a bit of local culture, a little more nightlife, or a cheaper price tag, are better off staying in Las Trancas, the local ski town. Surrounded in native bush, Las Trancas is rather unique place, with one main road and a few dirt tracks veering off. Most of the facilities are found on this main road, however the more unique places to stay are set back in the trees, with short pot-holed tracks leading to them. One of the best places to stay here is Onai Hostel, owned by a local big mountain skier with a long family history in the ski industry.

For those looking for late-night fun, the local bars of Las Trancas are well worth seeking out. The party doesn’t get going till well after midnight here (as is standard throughout most of South America), but head to Mountain Bar for a super-local party scene or the Snow Pub for a more dancey vibe.