Las Trancas Chile is a cute little town near
Nevados de Chillan Ski Resort. Valle Las Trancas provides more affordable accommodation than staying at Nevados de Chillan in one of the ski-in ski-out hotels, and it also offers a more vibrant nightlife.
Pros and Cons of Las Trancas
Pros
- A major advantage of staying in Las Trancas versus Nevados de Chillan is that accommodation costs are significantly reduced.
- In Las Trancas it’s delightfully “unresortified” and you might get a true Chilean experience.
- There is more of a range of restaurants and the après ski action is more pumping than at the resort.
- Las Trancas is rather pretty with its many cute Patagonian alpine style wooden buildings.
Cons
- If you’re not on a tour, there is no transport available to and from the ski resort, so you need to have your own wheels to commute.
- Many of the lodges have hot tubs, but there are no hot springs so if you want a therapeutic soak, have one straight after skiing up at Nevados de Chillan.
Where is Las Trancas Chile?
Valle Las Trancas is located in the Bio Bio region of Chile, 7km down the road from the Nevados de Chillan Ski Resort. The town of Las Trancas is spread out along Ruta 55.
Las Trancas is 71km southeast of the city of Chillan, and 476km south of Santiago.
Las Trancas Accommodation
There are a few Las Trancas hotels, but most of the accommodations consist of lodges and self-contained cabanas (cabins) that are generally rather inexpensive.
Los Hualles is a great pick for Las Trancas accommodation and is very well located opposite the Snow Pub. Los Hualles lodge has lovely rooms with private bathroom, very welcoming common areas, and breakfast is provided. Los Hualles also has self-contained cabanas that sleep up to 6 people in 2 bedrooms and a mezzanine. The property has 2 hot tubs and an on-site café that has very famous decadent hot chocolates, pizzas and hamburgers. The friendly hosts speak English.
MI Lodge (Mission Impossible Lodge) is a popular choice for Las Trancas lodging. The lodge has rooms for 2-6 guests with ensuite bathrooms, and there’s also a hot tub. MI Lodge is located a few kilometres out of the main part of town. Half board packages include Chilean and French meals in the on-site restaurant.
Las Trancas Accommodation Listings
Las Trancas Restaurants and Nightlife
There is a decent range of Las Trancas restaurants spread throughout the town. Dining here is less formal than up at the Nevados de Chillan Resort, and prices are very inexpensive. Options include traditional restaurants, pizzerias and there’s even a pub and restaurant with a train carriage tacked onto the back of the building.
Las Trancas may seem like a sleepy little alpine village, but in reality it can get hopping. The best place to party is the Snow Pub, a rustic restaurant and pub with a discotheque. Perhaps don’t try to drink too many pisco sours!
Shops
The town of Las Trancas has various ski and snowboard shops that have rental equipment. The price and quality is generally fairly comparable to that on the mountain. They are mostly rental shops but most also have a little retail area as well. The range is very limited and the ski or board clothing brands may be unfamiliar to gringos.
For high quality rental gear and for backcountry gear (touring skis etc), head to the ski shop owned by the French folks.
Just before the road heads up the hill to Nevados de Chillan, there are a series of roadside huts selling a colourful array of inferior gloves, beanies, scarves, toboggans, snow-bikes, headbands, and goggles. They might even have a 2nd hand snowboard or two for sale, and don’t be surprised if the salesmen are standing out on the road trying to selling their wares.
Las Trancas has 3 mini-mercados, but for substantial grocery purchases it’s probably best to go shopping in Chillan before you arrive.
