Snowboarding and Surfing in Chile: An Adventure from the Andes to the Pacific

Canada Sister Summit, December 2022

I met Taylor a few years ago in Canada, and our friendship has lasted across borders. In April 2024, after a short but awesome visit to her home in Pemberton, Canada, she decided to return the favor with an irresistible proposal: why not combine two of our passions, snowboarding and surfing, into one trip to Chile? The challenge was on the table! And so, our incredible adventure began… I could´t say not.

The Journey Begins

At 9:00 p.m., Xabi and I waited for Taylor at Santiago airport. Taylor had been traveling for over 20 hours, with layovers in California and Panama, before finally arriving in Chile. Despite her exhaustion, I welcomed her with a big hug and contagious energy. Our destination: Maule Mountain Lodge, a refuge in the stunning Laguna del Maule, where we would spend the first days of our trip.

Day 1: In Search of the Perfect Snow

We woke up early, adrenaline pumping, and set out on snowmobiles into the mountains, searching for fresh snow. Although it was September, late in the season, and the last storms hadn’t been ideal, we were confident we’d find the perfect conditions. Our first destination was El Tótem.

We hiked a small slope to ride the line, but within 10 minutes, the sun was hidden by dense clouds that made it impossible to film with the drone. We waited and waited, believing it would clear up... but after 45 minutes, nothing changed. We decided to descend elsewhere and save that line for tomorrow, when the weather looked more promising.

We headed back to the lodge to rest and prepare for the next day.

Day 2: A Big Sunny Day

We woke up early to make the most of the sunny day. Oatmeal, coffee, and good music to start the morning.

We drove from the lodge to the parking lot to unload the snowmobiles and head into the mountains. The views were spectacular, and the lines we rode together were perfect, with softer snow than we had anticipated.

After a mid-morning exploring El Tótem, we headed to La Gema, a secret spot near Laguna del Maule. The long, narrow chute was in the shade, which meant it could be icier than we expected. However, the runs were excellent, and we found snow in much better condition than we could have imagined for September. The excitement was building, and we felt lucky to have the chance to ride it.

We ended the day skiing the La Pirámide area, a steeper face  that challenged us to descend in perfect harmony. We wrapped up the day enjoying the view near the lagoon, with the last rays of light reflecting on the water and the hardened snow beneath our feet.

Day 2: On the Road to Chillán

On Thursday, we woke up calmly, enjoying what we called a "slow morning." We had a long breakfast, savoring the view of the mountains while reviewing the footage from the previous day. Pleased with our progress, we packed our things and hit the road to Chillán, about four hours away. The drive was relaxed, with stops for coffee and food, taking every moment to soak in the Chilean landscape.

Day 3: Unexpected Conditions and Natural Hot Springs

On Saturday, we woke up early, ready for another day on the snow. We knew it had rained the night before in town, but we weren’t sure if the mountains had received snow or just rain. Our only option was to head up and see for ourselves. We set out on snowmobiles from Shangri-La valley, where we met up with some friends guiding a group of foreigners. Everyone was in high spirits; the sun was shining, and there was no wind, signaling a good day ahead.

We headed to an area called Diguillín Libre, but the snow had been affected by the rain and wasn’t in the best condition for skiing. However, we didn’t waste time. Just 10 minutes away, there are natural hot springs, a hidden gem where we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon in the mountains. It was just for us, a unique moment to connect with nature, surrounded by an impressive landscape.

Surfing in Puertecillo: From Snowboarding to the Ocean

After our snow adventure, we headed to Puertecillo, a magical beach on Chile’s coast, where the mountains meet the ocean. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a powerful ocean , the perfect challenge for what we came to do: film a short surf video. Although we weren’t professional surfers, our passion for the ocean drove us to give it our all.

The first surf session was unforgettable. The sea was pumping, but we were alone in the water, something quite rare here at this beach. It was just the two of us, battling the currents and the waves. It was a reminder that surfing is a sport of patience and perseverance. The early morning and late afternoon sessions filled us with energy, even though our arms felt the strain after weeks without surfing.

A Trip to Remember

We spent our days in Puertecillo enjoying the sea, the company of friends like Xabi, and the beautiful scenery around us. Each surf session, every conversation, and every moment in nature reaffirmed why we love to travel, connect with nature, and move between mountains and the sea.

This trip wasn’t just the perfect combination of snowboarding and surfing, but also an opportunity to connect with nature, challenge ourselves, and create unforgettable memories. Chile, with its incredible diversity of landscapes and opportunities, had once again gifted us a unique experience.

Team: Taylor Godber, Antonia Galmez, Xabier Azcarate, Claudio Vicuña, Oscar "Peine" Rodriguez.Photography: Claudio Vicuña and Xabier Azcarate / Andes Cinema