Hope for South America Ski Season?
- Thread starter ChrisC
- Start date
El Nino is supposed to be good for these places. The actual positive El Nino readings are not there yet, though I would not be surprised to see them by July/August. In 2005 Las Lenas had over 100 inches in both May and June so I was confident booking my first trip there. Average snowfall declines significantly in August vs. June/July and even more drastically in September. So booking decisions should be made on the basis of snow on the ground by mid-July, or earlier if there's a lot as in 2005.
The last above average season for Portillo/Valle Nevado/Las Lenas was 2009. During the last El Nino in 2015 May/June were dry but I booked after a 6 foot dump in early July. There was one more big storm early August but not much else that season.
The last above average season for Portillo/Valle Nevado/Las Lenas was 2009. During the last El Nino in 2015 May/June were dry but I booked after a 6 foot dump in early July. There was one more big storm early August but not much else that season.
Last edited:
ChrisC
Well-known member
Interesting. Did not know the Andes were front loaded snowfall-wise. Will have monitor season progress for Las Lenas.
In 2016, the snow was front loaded - especially in July. Not too much snow in August when I skied for 5 days (Portillo, El Colorado, La Parva, Valle Nevado) before the Rio Olympics. Although I did get one down day where it snowed 6”.
Places like the Dolomites, Andes, New Zealand….you have to ski them when they are ready/dictate.
In 2016, the snow was front loaded - especially in July. Not too much snow in August when I skied for 5 days (Portillo, El Colorado, La Parva, Valle Nevado) before the Rio Olympics. Although I did get one down day where it snowed 6”.
Places like the Dolomites, Andes, New Zealand….you have to ski them when they are ready/dictate.