Industry News
It’s looking like the ski season in South America is going to be epic. Early-season snowfall has been plentiful as multiple storms have blanketed resorts in Chile and Argentina. Many resorts were able to open two to three weeks earlier than normal. Usually, the ski season in South America lasts from June to September, but because of the large amounts of snowfall, this season is expected to last until mid to late October.
The snowfall has been so abundant that those with longtime experience in the region have said the early season snow totals are the most in 25 or even 30 years. Ironically, the snowfall has caused some resorts to close due to avalanche concerns or the access roads are blocked by too much snow.
Additionally, the Chilean Resort of Valle Nevado has received over 80% of its average winter snowfall. So far, the ski resort has gotten over 200 inches while its average annual snowfall is 240 inches. The resort opened three weeks early on May 31 and benefited from a massive storm that dumped almost six feet of snow. Another storm blew in earlier this week, dropping another two feet on the slopes.
Across the South Pacific Ocean, it’s a very different story with Australian and New Zealand ski areas seeing only limited snowfall so far at the start of their seasons. There has been some snow and cold temperatures have allowed snow to be made with limited terrain openings, but it’s not anything near what has been going on in Patagonia.
If you are considering a South American ski trip this summer, the conditions are looking excellent not just right now, but for the entire season. The season could go to late October which would bring us right about to the start of the ski season in North America. Fortunately, many of the popular multi-resort passes in North America offer access to some world-class resorts in the Southern Hemisphere offering breathtaking landscapes, diverse terrain, and unparalleled experiences.
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