Industry News
Chile’s most powerful winter storm in years has delivered both a dream and a nightmare. While ski resorts across the Andes have been buried under extraordinary snowfall, seeing up to 15 feet (4.66 meters) in just one week, the same storm system has unleashed catastrophic flooding and mudslides at lower elevations, leaving at least 13 people dead, four missing, and more than 100,000 residents isolated.
Since July 15, a powerful atmospheric river has hammered central Chile, prompting President José Antonio Kast to declare a state of emergency across several regions. The storm has closed ski resorts, severed international transport links, halted mining operations, and buried entire communities beneath mud and debris.
For Chile’s ski industry, the snowfall totals have been almost unprecedented. Ski Portillo confirmed on its website that 5 meters (16 feet) of snow had fallen between July 15 and July 23, representing nearly an entire average winter’s snowfall compressed into seven days. Portillo typically receives around 5.1 meters (16.7 feet) over an entire season. “Access to Portillo has been closed since July 14 for safety reasons,” the resort confirmed.
OpenSnow forecaster Luke Stone described the event as “a massive long-duration storm fuelled by a powerful atmospheric river,” with precipitation totals “through the roof.” Stone had traveled to Chile for the storm and shared on his social media account that it took him four hours to get down from Ski Portillo resort to the valley.
Before the storm, forecasts called for more than 200 inches (508 centimeters) of snow across Portillo, Valle Nevado, and La Parva over a nine-day period. The storm arrived after an unusually slow start to South America’s winter. Portillo was forced to delay its opening earlier this season because of below-average snowfall before eventually opening limited terrain exclusively for hotel guests. Now, just weeks later, resorts are dealing with the opposite problem: too much snow to operate safely.
Recognizing the severity of the incoming storm, Portillo suspended operations before snowfall reached its peak. Guests booked through July 22 were contacted to modify reservations, while nobody was allowed to enter or leave the resort. As of this week, no reopening date has been announced.
Meanwhile, Chile’s Ministry of Public Works closed Routes G-21 and G-251 — the only roads serving Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado — as avalanche danger and road conditions deteriorated. Resorts will require extensive avalanche control work, snow clearing, and infrastructure inspections before reopening.
While the mountains received extraordinary snowfall, lower elevations endured torrential rain. According to Chile’s national emergency agency SENAPRED, the storm has claimed 13 lives, with four people still missing. More than 100,000 residents have been cut off and over 1,100 homes destroyed or severely damaged. Approximately 2,200 additional structures, such as bridges and churches, were damaged
Search-and-rescue operations continue as Chile’s armed forces work to reach isolated communities and reopen transportation corridors. “The region is literally under mud right now,” Coquimbo Governor Cristóbal Julia said. “We still have high-risk situations for people.” Entire neighborhoods have been inundated as rivers burst their banks and hillsides collapsed beneath saturated soils. The storm has also disrupted Chile’s mining industry.
State-owned mining giant Codelco suspended surface operations at its Andina mine while halting ore shipments from El Teniente. Anglo American and Antofagasta Minerals also activated emergency protocols as snow and flooding affected access roads.
Even Santiago faced extraordinary rainfall, with meteorologists warning that parts of the capital could receive nearly half their average annual precipitation in only a few days.
“In the coming days, we will face a frontal system of great intensity,” President Kast wrote on social media. “We are deployed and coordinating all the necessary resources to protect Chilean families.”
The storm has affected both sides of the Andes. The Cristo Redentor International Pass, the principal road connection between Santiago and Mendoza, remains closed following heavy snowfall across the high mountains. Argentine authorities believe the crossing may remain shut until at least August 5, although that timeline depends on continued weather conditions and avalanche mitigation efforts.
Nearly 100 residents and tourists have already been evacuated from mountain communities including Polvaredas, Los Penitentes, and Puente del Inca, where snow depths reached approximately three meters (10 feet).
The prolonged closure has stranded hundreds of freight trucks on Argentina’s Route 7 while disrupting one of South America’s busiest international transport corridors. Schools across parts of Mendoza Province have also suspended classes because of hazardous conditions. Authorities continue advising anyone traveling through the mountains to carry snow chains, food, water, warm clothing, and emergency supplies.
When Chile’s ski resorts eventually reopen, they will likely boast one of the deepest snowpacks anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. But for now, avalanche danger, blocked highways, damaged infrastructure, and a national humanitarian response take precedence.
For travelers planning ski trips to Portillo, Valle Nevado, La Parva, El Colorado, or neighboring Argentine resorts, patience will be essential. The snow isn’t going anywhere — but reopening safely will take time.
