Chile · Backcountry · 4 days
Cajón del Maipo Ski TouringValle de las Arenas
5.0 on Google · 62 reviewsUpdated November 2026
- Duration
- 4 days
- 3 nights
- Group
- 2–6 guests
- Destination
- Cajón del Maipo
- Chile
- Level
- Intermediate to advanced
- Fly in
- Santiago (SCL)
Overview
Four days of ski touring in the Cajón del Maipo, about two hours from Santiago. Stay three nights at Lodge El Morado in Baños Morales and tour Valle de las Arenas, at the foot of San José Volcano: glaciers, couloirs and wide bowls, with no lifts and hardly anyone else. Each day is planned around the snow, in a small group with a local guide.
Backcountry focus
Lift-free touring from the lodge: a warm-up afternoon, two full days in the valley and a shorter last morning.
Terrain focus
Glaciers, couloirs and wide bowls, typically 25°–40°.
Good to know
Where You Ski
- Valle de las Arenas · Glaciers, couloirs and wide bowls at the foot of San José Volcano.
- Cerro Unión · A summit objective above the valley when snow and weather line up.
- Carreño valley · Optional: a touring day in this quieter side valley when conditions line up.
- Lo Valdés & Baños Morales · Shorter tours close to the lodge for the warm-up and the last morning.
Guiding
- Local mountain guides who tour the Cajón del Maipo every season
- Objectives chosen each day for snow stability, weather and the group
What to Bring
- Touring skis or splitboard with skins and ski crampons
- Beacon, shovel and probe
- A 30–40 L touring pack and warm layers
- Rental gear available with advance notice.
Itinerary
Each day adapts to weather, snowpack and terrain access.
Day 1 – Santiago to Cajón del Maipo & Warm-Up Tour
Morning pickup in Santiago and about 2 hours up the Maipo valley to Lodge El Morado in Baños Morales. Afternoon warm-up tour close to the lodge with a beacon and rescue refresher.
Day 2 – Valle de las Arenas
Full touring day in Valle de las Arenas, at the foot of San José Volcano. Wide bowls and glacier terrain, with the line chosen for the snow and the group.
Day 3 – Couloirs & Peaks Around the Valley
The big day of the trip: couloirs or a summit objective such as Cerro Unión, depending on snow stability and weather. Optional: a touring day in the Carreño valley instead.
Day 4 – Morning Tour & Return to Santiago
A shorter morning tour close to the lodge, then the drive back down the Maipo valley, arriving in Santiago in the late afternoon. Book flights for the following day.
What's included
- 4 days of guiding by local mountain guides
- 3 nights at Lodge El Morado
- Daily breakfast at the lodge
- Round-trip transport from Santiago
- Daily planning with an evening briefing on weather and snow
Not included
- Flights and accommodation in Santiago before and after the trip
- Lunches, snacks and dinners
- Touring or splitboard gear and avalanche safety equipment (rentals with advance notice)
- Travel insurance with mountain rescue cover
Where you stay
Breakfast at the lodge included.
Lunches, snacks and dinners are on your own.
3 nights at Lodge El Morado in Baños Morales, at the head of the Maipo valley
Getting there
DAY 1
Pickup in SantiagoMorning pickup and about 2 hours up the Maipo valley to the lodge.
DAY 4
Back in SantiagoArrive in the late afternoon. Book flights for the following day.
What guests say
5.0 · 62 reviews on Google · Read all reviews
“We had great weather one day and were able to summit Volcán Lonquimay… Great trip with good people, would recommend checking out their guide service for backcountry skiing in Chile.”
“The wind and weather were tricky during our visit, but the guides knew exactly where the good snow was hiding. Highly recommend!”
“From start to finish, the trip planning, coordination, logistics, and powder hunting were all handled flawlessly. The guides were top-notch, making every day both safe and unforgettable.”
Cajón del Maipo Ski Touring dates
4 days
No scheduled departures
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5.0 on Google · 62 reviews · From USD 2,500 per person
Cajón del Maipo Ski Touring FAQ
Still have a question?
Our team in Santiago and Bariloche replies within 24 hours.
Can you go ski touring near Santiago, Chile?
Yes. The Cajón del Maipo, about 2 hours from Santiago, has some of the best ski touring close to the city. Our 4-day Cajón del Maipo Ski Touring trip is based at Lodge El Morado in Baños Morales and tours Valle de las Arenas, at the foot of San José Volcano: glaciers, couloirs and wide bowls with no lifts.
Where is Valle de las Arenas and how do you get there?
Valle de las Arenas is at the head of the Maipo valley, in the Andes southeast of Santiago, below San José Volcano. It is about a 2-hour drive from Santiago through San José de Maipo. Transport from Santiago is included in the trip, and after a storm we drive the upper road in 4x4.
What skill level do I need for Cajón del Maipo ski touring?
Strong intermediate to advanced skiers and splitboarders with some touring experience. You should be comfortable on skins, doing kick turns and skiing ungroomed snow on slopes of 25°–40°. Day 1 includes a warm-up tour and a beacon and rescue refresher.
What's included in the Cajón del Maipo ski touring trip?
From USD 2,500 per person: 4 days of guiding by local mountain guides, 3 nights at Lodge El Morado with daily breakfast, round-trip transport from Santiago and daily planning with an evening briefing. Not included: flights, lunches, snacks and dinners, touring and avalanche gear rental, and travel insurance with mountain rescue cover.
When is the best time to ski tour in the Cajón del Maipo?
July to October. July and August bring winter snow; September and October bring longer days and spring corn. Each day is planned around snow stability and weather.
Do I need my own ski touring gear?
We recommend your own touring skis or splitboard with skins and ski crampons, plus a beacon, shovel and probe and a 30–40 L pack. If you need it, rental gear can be arranged with advance notice.
Can I add Cajón del Maipo ski touring to a ski week in Chile?
Yes. Being close to Santiago, it works well before or after Andes Week, Portillo + Tres Valles or a few resort days in the Tres Valles. Contact us and we will plan the dates and transfers together.