South America 2026

[Tony Crocker]

ripsnorting Puelche

The is the South American version of the upslope winds at Mammoth which can strip rather than deposit loose snow. But the winds in South America are probably stronger. Hopefully the phenomenon is rare in the central zone since the Andes Crest is far above Portillo/Three Valleys lift service. I'm fairly sure for the same reason that Santiago almost never sees the equivalent of SoCal's Santa Ana winds. Even though average L.A. and Santiago temperatures are similar, the record highs in L.A. are much hotter.

 

[Sbooker]

@Casey E do the police enforce chain control if you are driving a four wheel drive vehicle? Do they check for chains in sunny weather?

 

[Casey E]

Highly unlikely, given the normally dry road conditions. Beware with a recent low snowfall and lots of tourists.

 

[ChrisC]

One of the major base area hotels in Nevados de Chillan caught on fire today.

Hotel Alto Nevados.

Not a good situation, but people are safe.

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View this content on Instagram

 

[ChrisC]

I think some buildings in the base area, like the ski school, might have been affected. The base camera is offline.

Unfortunately, Nevados de Chillán appears to be closed today.

 

[ChrisC]

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Las Lenas is functioning as a completely normal ski destination this year.


I have been recording daily: weather (temp/wind), lift operations, and avalanche rating.

Currently, Marte has been operating more than 80% of the time since opening for the season on August 11th, nearing 90%. It has been closed only for a few typical low-visibility storm days.

The most inclement weather day while Marte was open:
Aug 30, 2026: Summit/Bora-Bora reported 20-30 km/hr winds with gusts of 50-70 km/hr.

However, I think much of this 'normal' behavior is due to hosting a Freeride World Tour and allowing athletes to scope lines. They've also had great snow since the mid-July storm cycle ended.

2026 Las Leñas Qualifier IFSA – Freeride World Tour

www.freerideworldtour.com

 

[Casey E]

Chillan has a history of odd occurrences, in which fires have a role, like much of southern Chile. I have stayed in 4 hotels with the Chillan termas as a draw. The first was a creaky old log affair with an aura of tradition, on the location of the version that bit the ash yesterday. That burned down in 1991.

Then a temporary dorm type hotel was built further down, then the “Gran Hotel” which subsequently lost the rights to the hot springs source and went bust. Now this disaster with the teams training there losing passports, gear etc., cars burnt, and so on.

 

[Casey E]

Aw, Portillo again, due to the "climatic instability announced for the high mountains".

THE HIGH MOUNTAINS AS OF NOW

 

[Casey E]

There’s that instability!

 

[Patrick]

Chillan has a history of odd occurrences, in which fires have a role, like much of southern Chile. I have stayed in 4 hotels with the Chillan termas as a draw. The first was a creaky old log affair with an aura of tradition, on the location of the version that bit the ash yesterday. That burned down in 1991.

Then a temporary dorm type hotel was built further down, then the “Gran Hotel” which subsequently lost the rights to the hot springs source and went bust. Now this disaster with the teams training there losing passports, gear etc., cars burnt, and so on.

You forgot the popular SnowPub in Las Trancas burning down.

 

[ChrisC]

A new hotel by June? Yikes

 

[Casey E]

The few cm that fell in the last few days somehow made for a last shot at winter. La Parva with my 11 year old grandson. Full coverage

Dig the lines on view from La Leñera food truck and refugio

While the heat is going to change all this over the week, the groomers will last for weeks yet.

The racers were taking over, but relinquish their runs around mid day. Local kids on Tortolas

 

[ChrisC]

I’d rather deal with the Santiago ski resorts access road versus Portillo’s international border road.

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[ChrisC]

South America looked quiet... but now some storms have popped up. See if they materialize.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I noticed the above forecast as well. I wondered if we need to bring powder skis, but Portillo's website says they rent them. The nearer term forecast seems clear we won't need them at Three Valleys.

Season to date: Portillo 380 inches Valle Nevado 215 inches.
So yes ChrisC may be right about Portillo getting to 400, though we have all seen overly optimistic model forecasts for South America over the years.

 

[Sbooker]

We walked up the hill to see Mary when we got in yesterday. Unfortunately it was hazy/smoggy though. We’ll drive up to check out the snow this morning.

 

[Sbooker]

We skied at El Colorado today. I couldn’t find any soft snow so we skied groomers this morning. We had runs to ourselves and skied onto every every lift. There are a lot of drag lifts. It was nice to be back on skis.

It was a windy drive up.

Kylie has new skis.

First turns were successful.

Like all mountains the Andes are beautiful.

8 out of 10 coffee is a big bonus for a ski resort in my experience.

The crowds were troublesome.
After lunch the hill softened nicely and the areas off the groomers were great. We skied a lot around the Cono Este drag lift. There are some nice rock features.

Less than $200AUD for two walk up adult tickets. Pretty reasonable.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

What was your air itinerary and how long did it take?

 

[Sbooker]

What was your air itinerary and how long did it take?

Brisbane to Sydney. Approx 1 hour. Wait in Sydney for two hours. 12 hours to Santiago.
I can usually sleep on the plane but struggled this time. Kylie got 7 hours but was sleep deprived before we left.

 

[Sbooker]

How’s this for a sunset from the hotel terrace?

@Tony Crocker the food was very good.