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Termas
de Chillan:
MORE THAN JUST A SKI CENTER
Termas
de Chillan (Chillan Hot Springs) began as a summer resort
and now it is known as one of the best ski resorts in South America.
Location
The Termas de
Chillan ski resort is situated 1.600 meters above sea level in the
middle Bio-Bio region mountain range. It is a privileged zone
for its natural resources that permits the complex to stay open all
year with different tourist attractions.
There are two
ways to get to the Termas de Chillan: by automobile or by airplane.
In the first case take the Route 5 south (only 82 kilometres from
the closest city) and Santiago is 489 kilometres away. The highway
that was just recently renovated and the route from Chillan to the centre
are in optimal conditions; this permits rapid and expeditious
access. On the other hand for those who wish saving kilometres
of highways should get to the city by airplane and from that point
transfer to the Termas de Chillan.
A
grand infrastructure
Termas de Chillan
is not only a first level ski resort with a grand hotel infrastructure
but as well it's a thermal spa of renowned prestige.
To lodge, the
options are varied in the resort from the luxurious Termas
de Chillan Gran Hotel, to the comfortable Pirigallo
Hotel and the cozy apartments of the Condominium. While
lodging in one of the the passenger can access a variety of services
that will make your stay in Chillan to be truly pleasant: thermal
pools, restaurants, game rooms, conference rooms, bar, shop, hair
salon, gymnasium, squash court, child care and a thermal SPA.
Additionally, you will find The Club House where all types of social
and cultural activities take place; the dance club, Shangri-La restaurant
(international food) and Montañés (Swiss food); a
mini-market to satisfy the basic needs of the guests.
Recognized by the quality
of the
thermal waters, Termas de Chillan has formed a grand infrastructure
surrounding this resource while counting with nine thermal pools and
three spa centres in where complex cosmetic treatments,
hydrotherapy, massages, mud therapy and aromatherapy are performed
amongst others.
For those who
are not guests of the hotels or condominium and are going to enjoy
the snow. Termas de Chillan counts with a Service Centre where
there is a cafeteria, equipment rental, bathrooms and a ski school.
There are two Rental Ski locals, in the Gran Hotel and the Pirigallo
Hotel. In whichever of the three shops you can find equipment for
all ski levels and snowboarding for children as well as adults.
The resort
also offers a ski school integrated by expert professors for all
levels and diverse modalities of snow sports: Alpine skiing, Nordic
skiing, Snowboarding and its mini school is the place dedicated for
children between 3 and 8 years old.
Skiable
Domain
Termas de Chillan
counts with 28 carefully conditioned runs, a total of 35 km and a
potential 10.000 hectares of skiable domain.
The skier can
access each of the runs by way of nine lifts (1 triple chairlift, 3
double and 5 surface). The runs consist of 30% beginner, 40%
intermediate level, and the other 30% is destined for expert skiers
which also has a 1100 meter drop. On the other hand part of the skiable
domain is thought for those who enjoy skiing off the trails although
one must have previous authorization from the resort due to the
risks of the sport.
The greatest height
in the resort is situated 2700 meters above sea level and it's the initiating
point that marks a record for its 13 kilometres in longitude: Las
Tres
Marias. To get to the beginning of the run from the Service Centre,
the skier must take the Don Beno ski lift a triple chair, EL Chueco,
a surface platter (be careful with the first pull) that is next to
where the Don Beno finishes. Soon after Pillin, a surface
T-bar and finally El Fresco that is a surface T-bar as well. The Tres Marias
has another entrance that in in the middle of the Pillin lift (to
the left) and is convenient when the wind is too strong and the El
Tresco is closed. The Tres Marias is a red trail, which is to say
that it is a intermediate-advanced level where the majority of the
run is small and smooth bumps and of which its last kilometres are
hidden in native forest to finish at the base for the El Tata lift
(double chair).
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Another
peculiarity that the resort offer is the longest lift in South
America, Don Otto, it is a 2500 meter double chairlift and permits
you to get to the red trails (El Huemul 1 and 2, El Embudo, and El Burro)
that arrive to the Service Centre, black trails (Condor 1 and 2) and
off the trails (Pirigallo and La Mole). For more audacious skiers "Pirigallo"
is a steep and very snow-covered bowl that drops to the left of Don
Otto through the side of the Chillan Nuevo Volcano.
For those that
have a more basic level of skiing and utilize the green trails; they
are found principally in the lower zone of the centre but have the
"charm" of crossing through the forest that surrounds the
hotels. To utilize these trails you can take the El Tata, La
Peta, La Mami and Novices lifts.
Being concerned
about the total security of little ones, Termas de Chillán
counts with a closed area where children can enjoy a run specially
conditioned for them with a baby lift and a destined resting place.
What
to do to amuse yourself all the time
Yes it is true
while thinking of Termas de Chillan the first thing that comes to
mind is the hot springs and skiing, the resort has much more to
offer during the whole year. Actually, the most traditional of the
the activities that is practiced is alpine skiing, that doesn't
imply that it is the only activity.
Snowboarding
is also one of the activities and as of which Termas de Chillan counts
with a spectacular Snow park. Furthermore, those off the trails
offer natural cornices and the possibility of trying their
snowboarding skills while mastering their way between the trees,
eluding natural obstacles and adding a grand portion of emotion on
the way down.
For those who
prefer other modes of skiing, the centre counts with a special circuit
in the lowest point of the centre at 1600 meters above sea level,
near the parking where the lovers of Nordic skiing can practice this
activity surrounded by the beauty and tranquillity of the area.
Those who like randonee, have the same possibilities seeing that
there are ample slopes in Chillan Nuevo Volcano and Nevados de
Chillan and the possibility of reaching the top of the volcano is a
temptation difficult to resist for those who see that skiing is more
than just a means of transport.
The adrenalin
and the possibility of dashing through virgin snow are with out a
doubt the most attractive of heli-skiing. Thanks to the helicopter
the skiers or snowboarders can descend through virgin snow in places
that you can't get to unless it's by air.
More relaxing,
but not one bit less entertaining is sledding on a sled being pulled
by Alaskan Malamute dogs -in the most purest Eskimo style-, or
riding on snowmobile through a specially prepared circuit.
During the
rest of the year when the snow is not the protagonist, the
activities that predominate are trekking, mountain biking, horseback
riding, rock climbing and observing the flora and fauna of the zone.
Without a
doubt, Termas
de Chillan surpasses the traditional concept of the ski centre
that it "comes to life" solely when snow begins to
fall and that it only offers services and products related to it. Termas de Chillan
is a unique place where nature and man have joined together to
create one of the best ski centres and spa resorts of South America.
More
information
here
Text
Giovanna
Salinas
Photos
Mohican S.A. and
Giovanna Salinas
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