Most of the Corralco Ski Resort services are located within or near the lovely day lodge, and there are also amenities down at the Valle Corralco Hotel.

Facilities for Children

Corralco is very family oriented for those that speak fluent Spanish. For families with children that speak only English, there are probably better resorts in Chile to visit.

There is day care for kids ages 4 to 7.

For guests of the Valle Corralco Hotel, there is a lovely kids room for 2-6 year old children, and there is a kids’ club for ages 6-12. The staff don’t speak English.

Corralco Ski and Snowboard School

Group ski or snowboard lessons are held in the afternoon for adults.

Kids ski school has group lessons in the morning and afternoon for ages 4 to 8.

Group lessons are not available in English, but ski school can probably arrange private lessons for children or adults that don’t speak fluent Spanish.

Corralco Ski Rentals and Snowboard Rental

Adjacent to the day lodge is a large tent structure that houses all the rental equipment. As to be expected, the rental skis are all the on-piste type, and the ski boots are aimed at beginners and intermediates. Ditto for the snowboards.

Currently the resort doesn’t rent out backcountry equipment such as touring skis, skins, split boards, shovels, probes or avalanche beacons. However this is something that the hotel plans to add to its activity centre inventory in the future.

There are various ski rental shops on the access road to the ski area and down in Malalcahuello near the turn off to Corralco. Some of these shops have equipment that looks like it’s from the dark ages!

Eating On Mountain

Some guests return to the hotel for lunch. Otherwise you can have lunch at the lovely day lodge. It has been beautifully designed, although the gorgeous timber floors are incredibly slippery for walking around in ski boots (someone didn’t design that too well!). The lodge has large windows so you can easily take in the intoxicating views of the Lonquimay Volcano, or you can sit outside on the deck to get completely unimpeded views. The lodge serves up various lunch options including sandwiches, kebabs and pizzas, although these are somewhat pricey.

For brown baggers there is an outdoor picnic area on the deck adjacent to the ski rentals tent.

A snack cafe is located at the base of El Volcan lift, selling snacks and drinks.

Corralco Shopping

There is a small ski-osk located inside the day lodge selling a handful of ski and snowboard accessories, helmets, and sundries such as sunscreen.

The hotel also has a small shop that sells the essentials such as ski gloves, beanies and under garments. The shop also sells locally made Mapuche clothing.

If you need any groceries, there’s a minimarket down in the town of Malalcahuello.

Communication

For those who don’t speak fluent Spanish, Corralco is a remarkably easy place to get by with just English and a handful of Spanish phrases. Various key staff at the hotel speak great English including those on the front desk, the activities guides, and a couple of the waiters in the restaurant.

Meanwhile up at the ski resort you’ll need to use your best Spanglish.