South America 2026

[Patrick]

Will Patrick modify his New Zealand plans this year if this possible 2-week atmospheric river hits South America?

I think he already stated he leans toward NZ/OZ. Probably will go to NZ.

No decision is made for a ski trip. However NZ is one of my favorites country I’ve visited, same as Iceland, Ireland and Norway.

But this might be the case where Northern Chile/Argentina will have received 300" of snow by August 1st, while it looks like almost everywhere in NZ/OZ will be under 50" - some worse. Curious to see if this snow result can change the decision.

Also keeping an eye on SA.

Or South America on the no-fly/no-go list after cab incident? Like the current USA.

No. No South American has insulted and treaten Canadian sovereignty.

 

[Tony Crocker]

OpenSnow narrative forecast is linked here for future reference to see how it pans out.

 

[ChrisC]

Some interesting notes from the TGR Thread Chile 2026

Farallones - Gateway to the 3 Valles (Valle Nevado, El Colorado, La Parva) July 10th

Looks like Chile's Atacama Desert area will get in on the action? IDK - see TGR post.

This is a real El Niño event, one of the driest deserts in the world gets an epic snowfall. Antofagasta is on the tropic of Capricorn, and the expected precipitation in this event exceeds many years of "normal" rainfall. Atacama has the highest concentration of peaks around 6,000m in Chile, including Volcán Ojos del Salado at 6,900m. Many of these have attractive names like Cerro Dead Donkeys, V El Muerto (dead), or Cerro Nevado o Muertito (little dead one).

(Antofagasta, Chile receives an extremely low average annual rainfall of just 1 to 4 mm (0.04 to 0.16 inches). As one of the driest towns in the world, rain is essentially nonexistent for most of the year)

Ski Chile 2026 - Teton Gravity Research Forums

To get the ball rolling, there are high hopes in some sectors, what with the buzz around the El Niño resurgence. "Godzilla El Niño" I heard the other day. For those who do not know, "El Niño" comes from a Peruvian saying, when the warmer water cycle showed up on their shores, it was usually...

forums.tetongravity.com

 

[skiandgolfnut]

Ive been following Portillio forecasts each summer for a decade and while sometimes they are outlandish this one is at another level. Will have to wait and see how things shake out but its entirely possible August in Portillo is worthwhile this year.

 

[Tony Crocker]

The map in the OpenSnow link above shows the storm getting past La Serena (latitude 29, 5 inches average annual rain, in path of July 2019 total eclipse) but not as far north as Antofagasta.

 

[ChrisC]

Will have to wait and see how things shake out but its entirely possible August in Portillo is worthwhile this year.

A big IF - but if a significant snow base can be established by the potential storm - especially if it can fill in/open all of the couloirs/chutes in Portillo, La Parva, and Valle Nevado backside - one can ski dependably good Spring-like conditions in the Andes far into September (October for Valle Nevado).

Once a deep, consistent snow base is established, you cannot split hairs anymore, and just go/roll the dice - maybe chase some last-minute storms north or south.

My brother's most hated guest question: "The Telluride snow report said 10-18 inches of new snow in the last 72 hours - where is it?"
Response: Are you familiar with a Panini sandwich and the March sun in Colorado?

Chile's only downside is the high cost of lodging near Santiago resorts or Portillo. Down valley is 45-60 minutes away and 5,000-8,000 ft lower. Personally, I'd rather deal with the one-way restrictions in the 3 Valles Areas than with passing 10-mph trucks on Portillo Road as they make their way from Santiago to Mendoza and beyond.

 

[Sbooker]

That South America forecast looks interesting. If half of that snow falls I’ll be more than tempted. What dates do I want to avoid? I assume the base will still be ok in early September even if no more snow falls?

 

[Tony Crocker]

What dates do I want to avoid?

Holidays are mainly in second half of July.

I assume the base will still be ok in early September even if no more snow falls?

That was my scenario in 2007, above average snowfall but none in the 3 weeks before I arrived. Portillo had good corn by time of day and exposure. Valle Nevado/La Parva/El Colorado off piste was not so good. Some places get wind hammered. Sun is very strong at latitudes 33-35 so some narrow exposed places can melt out, like the far right traverse from Roca Jack. Given what has transpired in the last 15 years, you should be willing to live with those potential challenges if this storm lives up to its billing, especially if you have never skied these places.

 

[skiandgolfnut]

Both my trips have been in late August in years following big July storms like this. I’ve always gotten impression that is spring skiing and it’s tough to imagine the season lingering on much longer than that.

 

[ChrisC]

I assume the scale of the storm will disrupt travel to the Chilean ski resorts around Santiago for days/weeks.

I do not expect much great skiing to occur until August 1st. There is no base. Expect heavy winds. Heavy snow. Not much visibility. Little opportunity for avalanche control. Road closures.

Holidays are mainly in second half of July.

This is going to be problematic. Brazilians who have little experience with snow, now on holiday in a mega storm.

In my limited experience: the similar September 2024 storms closed the Los Libertadores International Pass, elevation of 3,200 meters (10,500 feet), the road connecting Chile and Argentina above sea level, for nearly a month. I believe Portillo was inaccessible (except by helicopter) for at least 1.5 weeks.


I am not optimistic about this:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Likely a good story and successful for likes/clicks. And I am sure a few exceptional photos.

Reality: little skiing, no expert terrain, trying to make super mellow terrain look exceptional
He did the same in the French Alps last January (Courchevel), with an Avalanche Risk of 4+. Beautiful cruising through flat powder fields. Hopefully he strands himself high in the 3 Valles - perhaps Valle Nevado. But very high rates $$$. Santiago is not a viable strategy.

I would not piss my money away storm chasing this. Nor recommend. But for an 'Influencer' business - yes!

 

[Skieric]

A big IF - but if a significant snow base can be established by the potential storm - especially if it can fill in/open all of the couloirs/chutes in Portillo, La Parva, and Valle Nevado backside - one can ski dependably good Spring-like conditions in the Andes far into September (October for Valle Nevado).

Once a deep, consistent snow base is established, you cannot split hairs anymore, and just go/roll the dice - maybe chase some last-minute storms north or south.

My brother's most hated guest question: "The Telluride snow report said 10-18 inches of new snow in the last 72 hours - where is it?"
Response: Are you familiar with a Panini sandwich and the March sun in Colorado?

Chile's only downside is the high cost of lodging near Santiago resorts or Portillo. Down valley is 45-60 minutes away and 5,000-8,000 ft lower. Personally, I'd rather deal with the one-way restrictions in the 3 Valles Areas than with passing 10-mph trucks on Portillo Road as they make their way from Santiago to Mendoza and beyond

I assume the scale of the storm will disrupt travel to the Chilean ski resorts around Santiago for days/weeks.

I do not expect much great skiing to occur until August 1st. There is no base. Expect heavy winds. Heavy snow. Not much visibility. Little opportunity for avalanche control. Road closures.



This is going to be problematic. Brazilians who have little experience with snow, now on holiday in a mega storm.

In my limited experience: the similar September 2024 storms closed the Los Libertadores International Pass, elevation of 3,200 meters (10,500 feet), the road connecting Chile and Argentina above sea level, for nearly a month. I believe Portillo was inaccessible (except by helicopter) for at least 1.5 weeks.


I am not optimistic about this:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Likely a good story and successful for likes/clicks. And I am sure a few exceptional photos.

Reality: little skiing, no expert terrain, trying to make super mellow terrain look exceptional
He did the same in the French Alps last January (Courchevel), with an Avalanche Risk of 4+. Beautiful cruising through flat powder fields. Hopefully he strands himself high in the 3 Valles - perhaps Valle Nevado. But very high rates $$$. Santiago is not a viable strategy.

I would not piss my money away storm chasing this. Nor recommend. But for an 'Influencer' business - yes!

Agreed regarding this storm not being chaseable. Avi risk will likely be extraordinary until Aug 1.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

for an 'Influencer' business - yes!

Patrick!

 

[ChrisC]

Patrick!

Yes, he's a pre-social media Influencer and Creator.

Spends his time trolling Members of a Ski-Maxmizer Forum / First Tracks with outlandish, illogical trips, ski outings, coaching jobs, and year-round streaks.

You know his TikTok has 1M+ followers. Makes fun of all of us for Gen Z and some Millennials.

Brand deals and collaborations with: Ski New Zealand, Air Canada, Swiss Tourism, Big Snow New Jersey, and SnowWorld UK.

Recent USA Boycott due to a business deal gone wrong, but he blames Trump.

 

[ChrisC]

Both my trips have been in late August in years following big July storms like this. I’ve always gotten impression that is spring skiing and it’s tough to imagine the season lingering on much longer than that.

I would not schedule/book Andes much after Labor Day unless storm cycles (not huge storms, more refreshers) continue to support surfaces and, more importantly, access.

My first trip to Chile was August/pre-RioGames/2016, after a big July dump (7-8 ft?). A family friend who is a professional ski photographer/filmaker happened to be in Portillo for this event - lifetime! Lots of great footage - especially from Super C!

However, I arrived in mid-August (after a mostly dry month), and many traverses to its couloirs were closed. Lake Chutes and anything near a slingshot surface lift were open, but access to nearby routes was difficult despite adequate snow in the line itself.

Sun is very strong at latitudes 33-35 so some narrow exposed places can melt out, like the far right traverse from Roca Jack.

Yes. Portillo - while situated in an open bowl with a lake - is primarily a series of rocky chutes/couloirs that expand into open faces/mini-bowls. If the links/traverses melt out, you are screwed. A lot of terrain gets taken off the menu. Quickly becomes a much smaller mountain for experts.


Portillo after 2.5/3-4 weeks of sun and no new snow.

Another map I found that i just like:

 

[Tony Crocker]

Portillo after 2.5/3-4 weeks of sun and no new snow.

That map was exactly what we experienced in 2007. Corn was excellent but Adam thought very small scale vs. Las Lenas. Those X-ed out chutes skier's right from Roca Jack contributed to that impression.

With the lower latitude I'd say September in Portillo/Valle Nevado = April in Colorado. However it snows way more in April in Colorado. Average September snowfall in Portillo/Valle Nevado is less than half average June or July snowfall.

 

[ChrisC]

That map was exactly what we experienced in 2007.

This was my first visit to Portillo in 2016 as well. One day. (Still great! Amazing setting, terrain, and one of the first people I met/spoke to was Chris Davenport, waiting for his groups to get ready)

Also, it was part of the reason to return, well, two main reasons in 2023:

• 100% open with still some fresh snow from post-blizzard, bands of snow/instability
• As important - Portillo finally stopped requiring one-week commitments for its on-mountain lodging. Finally, breaking up weeks into 3- or 4-day intervals. By the end of the season (mid to late September), they were very flexible. (More likely, they wanted the Gringo (me) to stop calling and speaking butchered Spanish, when everyone speaks English).

Despite Portillo's unique setting, history, and ski area, it's simply not worth more than 3 days (possibly 2?). One should always try to pair it with another Santiago ski area (Valle Nevado, La Parva, or El Colorado). Or better yet, jump on a cheap rt flight from Santiago to either Mendoza or Concepcion to ski Las Lenas or Nevados de Chillan. Or just go home and call it a long weekend. (Again, A-Basin is great, but do you want more than 3 days in a row there?)

 

[ChrisC]

Anyways, the Andes definitely need the snow. It's a disaster going into the prime holiday period.



Rain and no snow

Not sure if they are even really skiing in Valle Nevado. Looks like -- take the gondola up and walk back down.

And Portillo is no longer accessible. I am sure there will only be small windows over the next 1-2 weeks.

 

[skiandgolfnut]

As Chris said when I first went mini weeks were only offered occasionally over the course of the summer. Now they make it much easier. Theyve also added online reservation systems which make it much easier. While I agree with the sentiments on the skiing itself (which can be quite excellent if you get lucky), I will say that the setting and hotel experience while not cheap are undoubtedly iconic and near the top of my lifetime ski experiences. A 4 night miniweek in Portillo in a season with adequate snow is definitely worthy of any bucket list.

 

[Tony Crocker]

As Chris said when I first went mini weeks were only offered occasionally over the course of the summer.

Perhaps the past 15 years have made skiers skittish about committing to a whole week. I'm pleased to see the more flexible options. Liz would probably be interested. Her one day at Portillo in July 2010 was in a windy whiteout with only one lift operating.

 

[Skieric]

I have not yet skied South American, however Portillo appears relatively small on the trail map. Yes, I could ski many ski areas for a full week, however if traveling so far from home, I would prefer to sample a few resorts. Within the same geographic zone there are the 3 Santiago resorts as well as Ski Arpa, on my first trip there, I would not commit to 1 week at Portillo, despite the iconic lodge.