Pillán, formerly known as Pucón, stands out as one of the most unusual ski resorts in the Southern Hemisphere. Located on the slopes of Villarrica Volcano in Chile, the resort combines active volcanic terrain with aging infrastructure and increasingly limited lift operations.
According to PeakRankings, the resort’s footprint has been shrinking, with multiple abandoned lifts and other infrastructure scattered across the mountain. Villarrica is also an active volcano, with a major eruption occurring as recently as 2015. The unusual conditions make Pillán a striking destination for skiers looking for something far removed from the polished experience found at larger destination resorts.
Most Chairlifts Were Out of Service
PeakRankings reported that the resort’s slow access chairlift from the parking area was operating during its visit. Beyond that lift, the operational lift network consisted entirely of surface lifts.
Several chairlifts elsewhere on the mountain were out of service. One appeared to have been partially dismantled, further highlighting the challenges facing the resort and its shrinking infrastructure.
For visitors focused on lift-served skiing, the situation could make Pillán a difficult mountain to navigate. However, the experience looked very different once skiers moved away from the groomed and heavily accessed terrain.
Empty Off-Piste Terrain Offered Fresh Snow
Despite poor visibility during the PeakRankings visit, the resort delivered some memorable skiing. Several off-piste areas were reportedly completely empty, allowing the crew to find untouched terrain throughout the day.
Fresh snow continued to refresh these areas, creating favorable conditions even as visibility remained limited.
The combination of abandoned infrastructure, surface lifts, volcanic terrain, and empty off-piste snow makes Pillán unlike most ski resorts in the world. While its operational challenges are obvious, the mountain still appears capable of delivering compelling skiing for adventurous visitors.
