South America 2026

[Tony Crocker]

The more relevant question: would you ski Lake Tahoe in March (September) after potentially no snow for 2-4 weeks, but a 100-200-inch base and temps (Low 20s, Highs 50s) at an area like Sugar Bowl or Alpine Meadows? With some of the best corn snow? Some south-facing chutes might preserve surface conditions well, but most terrain will require following the sun.

I have had friends visit, and we ski Tahoe in March after weeks without snow. You can have a great time and follow the sun.

Yes, but Palisades is latitude 39.2 and Portillo is 32.8, same as San Diego. I think that area of the Andes is absolutely world class for corn formation (high altitude, clear weather night and day), but the meltdown of snow at that latitude can be quite strong. The latitude difference would translate to a northern destination at similar altitude about 3 weeks later. So at this point I think it's somewhat important that the snowpack gets refreshed in August before we can count on full coverage in mid-September. In 2007 there were areas (widespread in La Parva) that had lost coverage during the prior warm and dry 3 weeks.

 

[ChrisC]

So at this point I think it's somewhat important that the snowpack gets refreshed in August before we can count on full coverage in mid-September

I would agree.

In another week, by roughly August 1st, one can see how this storm cycle concludes and get some visibility into August.

But at some point, once a very healthy snow base is established, you have negated the worst outcome. But yes, I would not want to ski Portillo in mid-September after 6 weeks with no snow.

Yes, but Palisades is latitude 39.2 and Portillo is 32.8, same as San Diego.

I do not really know any back-of-the-envelope latitude correlations for climate, but thought Portillo's higher altitude might compensate for its lower latitude vs. Palisades. I thought the SoCal ski areas held for a bit after their large blizzard a few years ago?

Palisades

• Hotel and Base Elevation: 6,200 feet (1,890 meters) above sea level.
• Highest Ski Point: 9,050 feet (2,760 meters) above sea level, accessed by lifts.
• Vertical Drop: 2,850 feet (870 meters)

Portillo

• Hotel and Base Elevation: 9,450 feet (2,880 meters) above sea level.
• Highest Ski Point: 10,860 feet (3,310 meters) above sea level, accessed by lifts.
• Vertical Drop: 2,500 feet (762 meters)

 

[ChrisC]

Email:

It appears the proposed Mountain Capital Partners acquisition of Andacor has been called off. MCP will not take control of Andacor, and Andacor says its ski-area operations will continue normally.

How many bad years in a row in South America? And it’s SW USA resorts?


Andacor owns and operates El Colorado. The 3rd ski area/valley in the Tres Valles: Valle Nevado, La Parvati and El Colorado.

Also runs Parque Farellones, Pillan and Volcan Orono.

Dear customers and friends,

We are writing to share an important corporate update. Our majority shareholder, Inversiones Cururo SpA, together with Abendrot SpA, Inversiones Viento Norte SpA, and entities of the Mountain Capital Partners (“MCP”) group, have decided not to proceed with MCP’s proposed acquisition of a controlling interest in Andacor S.A.

As a result, the voluntary notification submitted to Chile’s National Economic Prosecutor’s Office (Fiscalía Nacional Económica) was withdrawn. This was officially reported through a Material Event filing on July 19, 2026.

What does this mean for you? Nothing changes in our day-to-day operations. We want to fully reassure you that Andacor will continue operating as usual, maintaining its commitment to the winter season and to the quality and safety that characterize our mountain resorts.

We sincerely thank our entire community—customers, partners, suppliers, and neighbors—who share our love of the mountains. Our mission remains the same: to promote local tourism, continually improve our services, and offer unforgettable experiences in the Andes.

We look forward to seeing you very soon so we can continue enjoying the season together.

Sincerely,


Andacor S.A.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Mountain Capital Partners needs El Colorado, or at least some agreement for a user friendly three area lift ticket and well integrated lift connections. MCP should avoid those southern volcano areas in remote locations with vicious weather.

Portillo's higher altitude might compensate for its higher latitude vs. Palisades.

I was not comparing to Palisades or SoCal in terms of snow preservation, more LCC/BCC. Rule of thumb for rain/snow line is 1 degree of latitude = 275 feet of elevation. As for sun angle, between March 6 and April 6 it moves 12 degrees. A month either side of that it moves 10 degrees. So the 6-7 degree latitude difference vs. Tahoe or LCC (latitude 40.6) corresponds to a little over 2 weeks on the calendar.

In response to Utah weather guru Jim Steenburgh, I performed an exact solar insolation exercise upon his ending date definition of "Steenburgh winter." He defines Feb. 10 as the average last date in the Cottonwood Canyons where you don't have to worry much about sun exposure for backcountry skiing. I thought this had some applicability to snowcat skiing in Canada. So I plugged 40 degree latitude and Feb. 10 into a spreadsheet that can record various slope angles and exposures. Then I changed the latitude to 50 degrees for Canada and trialed the date to see what date corresponded most closely to 40 degrees on Feb. 10 and came up with March 6. So that's 24 days for 10 degrees of latitude. FYI there is no such thing as a Steenburgh winter at latitude 31 or lower.

So let's say Sep. 12 in Portillo corresponds to Mar. 31 in Snowbird. Utah skiers will tell you that you will have majority spring conditions if it hasn't snowed for over a week. But in Utah early spring, recurring storms disrupt corn formation. Good corn is much more likely in Portillo, more like Mammoth mid-April.

 

[ChrisC]

Is Portillo overperforming?

I haven't compared it to forecasts earlier in this thread, but 408 cm (161 inches) in roughly 5 days. With a lot more to come, Portillo should end up

It becomes difficult to accurately measure this much snow.

Again, OpenSnow and its Fantasyland reporting of historical snowfall.

Never seen under-reporting, but whatever...

 

[Tony Crocker]

Valle Nevado storm total is now 96 inches.

 

[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.

It did not rain in Antofagasta but it rained 8 inches in La Serena with extensive flooding.

 

[snowbird surfer]

Re: Portillo, two more rivers en route. Snow levels TBD but surely some precipitation will be very wet. For those who have visitors Portillo, any accommodation hacks come to mind? The web site tells me nothing for the 12 days around my request. Any chance y’all might know a guy?

 

[ChrisC]

Yes, I think one could book Portillo. The lodging risk is much greater than the risk of a 6-week drought.

Seems wet and snowy going forward.

Portillo

https://www.accuweather.com/en/cl/portillo/1246358/10-day-weather-forecast/1246358

https://www.accuweather.com/en/cl/portillo/1246358/august-weather/1246358?year=2026

One can see the storms stacked up over the Southern Pacific off the coast of Chile.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/cl/portillo/1246358/weather-radar/1246358

The photos are impressive:

One camera went offline - Conejo? - but it showed the entirety of the Plateau Lift, specifically the cliffs/chutes below it, and there looked like many of them would become passable. This indicates a very deep snow base.

 

[ChrisC]

Re: Portillo, two more rivers en route. Snow levels TBD but surely some precipitation will be very wet. For those who have visitors Portillo, any accommodation hacks come to mind? The web site tells me nothing for the 12 days around my request. Any chance y’all might know a guy?

Welcome to desirable remote places in Latin America.

Do I know a guy? Ha, I know you will have to change your dates. Or vibe code a Portillo lodging refresh. Or...I often call or write managers/front desk employees and ask to keep me in mind. Often rooms are kept offline for VIPs or hotel discretion.

Or if you can get a date at Ski Arpa Snowcat (Los Andes base), one could stay in Los Andes and commute up to Portillo. They sell lift tickets that include lunch


One can recreate Miami in Rio at a fraction of the price: (Copacabana or Ipanema beach hotel with view ($100-200), beach chairs ($5/day), and drinks/food (3 beers or Caipirinhas for $10), Acai ($3)), Lots of Steak. Latin America's large cities can be cheap. One day in Miami Beach = Three+ in Rio. However, if you want to go to Patagonia, Machu Picchu, the Galapagos, Iguazú Falls, or skiing (Las Lenas, Portillo, Valle Nevado), you have to pay Western or Gringo Prices - the equivalent of any desirable North American location with corresponding availability.

 

[snowbird surfer]

Welcome to desirable remote places in Latin America.

Do I know a guy? Ha, I know you will have to change your dates. Or vibe code a Portillo lodging refresh. Or...I often call or write managers/front desk employees and ask to keep me in mind. Often rooms are kept offline for VIPs or hotel discretion.

Or if you can get a date at Ski Arpa Snowcat (Los Andes base), one could stay in Los Andes and commute up to Portillo. They sell lift tickets that include lunch


One can recreate Miami in Rio at a fraction of the price: (Copacabana or Ipanema beach hotel with view ($100-200), beach chairs ($5/day), and drinks/food (3 beers or Caipirinhas for $10), Acai ($3)), Lots of Steak. Latin America's large cities can be cheap. One day in Miami Beach = Three+ in Rio. However, if you want to go to Patagonia, Machu Picchu, the Galapagos, Iguazú Falls, or skiing (Las Lenas, Portillo, Valle Nevado), you have to pay Western or Gringo Prices - the equivalent of any desirable North American location with corresponding availability.

Yes, shocked at the cost of repeating 20 year old adventures with kids (Patagonia/Kilimanjaro/safari etc). Prices for instagramable destinations have outpaced inflation by 10X.

I’m game for the Los Andes option, but it appears the road is often subject to closure. What was your personal experience with this commute?

And yes, I have a message into Portillo “reserva” but this is unlikely to reach the don of room assignments.

 

[ChrisC]

I’m game for the Los Andes option, but it appears the road is often subject to closure. What was your personal experience with this commute?

Once the road opens to Portillo, it stays open unless another large storm rolls in (maybe 1.5 ft+). The pass into Argentina stays closed longer, likely requiring more extensive control work.

The road is wide, well-maintained since it's a major international artery. However, it is only two lanes. Major issue: slow trucks/freight. At lower elevations, it's easy to pass on straight sections.

However, closer to Portillo, there is the Los Caracoles Section: 30 tight, steep switchbacks where trucks go 10-15 mph. All local Chilean drivers and others will pass. But you need to decide your comfort level with chicken? Can you pass the truck in front of you fast enough to avoid the 18-wheeler coming downhill?

Downhill is better. A bit of a buzzkill. However, if the pass is not open into Argentina, assume few, if any, trucks.

 

[ChrisC]

Valle Nevado is not a bad option. There are simply more options (apartments, hotels, etc) at the resort.

It appears you can only buy a La Parva add-on at the Valle ticket window (not online) for about $30-$50/day. It's unclear and subject to dynamic pricing?

While Valle Nevado/La Parva lacks the sling-shot lifts, setting, and sustained expert chutes, its combined size somewhat compensates.

 

[skiandgolfnut]

I reached out to powderquest as they booked Portillo for me in the past before Portillo had online bookings. They said August is completely full. I cannot go until 9/12 but it is available and Im considering just doing it. Portillo or bust for me, it is the hotel/experience/views/steeps that draws me south, I just dont think Valle Nevado would scratch the itch.

 

[snowbird surfer]

Once the road opens to Portillo, it stays open unless another large storm rolls in (maybe 1.5 ft+). The pass into Argentina stays closed longer, likely requiring more extensive control work.

The road is wide, well-maintained since it's a major international artery. However, it is only two lanes. Major issue: slow trucks/freight. At lower elevations, it's easy to pass on straight sections.

However, closer to Portillo, there is the Los Caracoles Section: 30 tight, steep switchbacks where trucks go 10-15 mph. All local Chilean drivers and others will pass. But you need to decide your comfort level with chicken? Can you pass the truck in front of you fast enough to avoid the 18-wheeler coming downhill?

Downhill is better. A bit of a buzzkill. However, if the pass is not open into Argentina, assume few, if any, trucks.

View attachment 52468

Appreciate the detailed reply! This site in general (and ChrisC in particular) have the most relevant and granular answers to everything ski country. What a resource!!! If the conditions come together, I am game for the drive from Los Andes. As such I reserved a car and delta flights which can be rolled into winter plans if the incoming rain ruins the recent snow. If I do go, I’ll probably travel with a Portillo go bag with the hope that I meet “a guy” who knows “someone” in hospitality at the hotel who can release those reserve rooms.

Now, does anyone know the best way to get detailed real time conditions report and avalanche forecasting for the Portillo sidecountry?

 

[Tony Crocker]

We stayed in Los Andes and commuted 2 days each to Portillo and Arpa. We had a driver and a van and price was reasonable but that was 2007. With the way the weather works down there odds of road closure are low. No guarantees if the strengthening El Niño tries to copy 1972.

 

[ChrisC]

i can't wait to see the final totals....
do these pp really think they will be skiing 10ft of snow?

Again: the question of 10 ft of snow....



Snowfall-to-date: I guess 2 major pulses came through: Is it 1 storm or 2 storms? There was a weather window on Sunday.

As of yesterday July 22, La Parva reported an 157 cm / 61 in - or 5 ft. Things finally opened a bit on Wednesday.

You can see how 5 ft of fresh snow skis (on fat skis) in coastal mountains with typically higher density snow and some wind compaction or stripping:

Again, 5 ft = skiing not even knee deep, more like chin-deep. However, the sensation is great. And one does not really want to sink too far if you value ACLs, MCLs, etc. This aligns with my experience.

Great post for La Parva actual conditions from TGR by @Casey E

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

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

While Northern Hemisphere Forums and Press focuses primarily on Portillo or Valle Nevado, La Parva can ski bigger: verticals, consistent pitch (not too steep - maybe high intermediate) with a few features here and there.

A lot skip this area, but their loss. Both Portillo and La Parva are not crowded: Portillo since there is no lodging (500 person bed base), and La Parva is second home/apartments for wealthy Chileans (no hotels). Valle Nevado and El Colorado can be quite busy on weekends.

 

[ChrisC]

I am game for the drive from Los Andes.

It's OK, but can get old after a few days. After day trips up from Los Andes and Santiago for 4+ days, and weekend traffic, I was done with it. Take your max number of CONSECUTIVE days you have day-tripped up to Alta/Snowbird, and you can determine your realistic comfort zone. Beautiful drives, but roads cover huge verticals and are just in OK shape. And if it snows, the Santiago resorts can be messy since locals/cabs/taxis do not have chains though required.

Again, when I returned to Chile with brother & friend, we stayed onsite at Portillo after blizzard (my requirement). However, it was the true end of season (mid/late September) so there was high availability and low prices. One day-trip up from Santiago to Valle Nevado was a good bookend.

We stayed in Los Andes and commuted 2 days each to Portillo and Arpa. We had a driver and a van and price was reasonable but that was 2007

That would be desirable -> go on autopilot.

Assume Arpa received more snow than Santiago ski resorts, but less than Portillo. Seems worthwhile this year.

This site in general ....have the most relevant and granular answers to everything ski country.

I generally try to do everything myself ski-wise, so I point out what annoyed me/screwed up, or what I liked/received value from. These observations are not necessarily universal. Not for everyone.

 

[snowbird surfer]

Once the road opens to Portillo, it stays open unless another large storm rolls in (maybe 1.5 ft+). The pass into Argentina stays closed longer, likely requiring more extensive control work.

The road is wide, well-maintained since it's a major international artery. However, it is only two lanes. Major issue: slow trucks/freight. At lower elevations, it's easy to pass on straight sections.

However, closer to Portillo, there is the Los Caracoles Section: 30 tight, steep switchbacks where trucks go 10-15 mph. All local Chilean drivers and others will pass. But you need to decide your comfort level with chicken? Can you pass the truck in front of you fast enough to avoid the 18-wheeler coming downhill?

Downhill is better. A bit of a buzzkill. However, if the pass is not open into Argentina, assume few, if any, trucks.

View attachment 52468

This road looks like a piece of cake compared to my daily commute on the Bruckner “expressway.”

It's OK, but can get old after a few days. After day trips up from Los Andes and Santiago for 4+ days, and weekend traffic, I was done with it. Take your max number of CONSECUTIVE days you have day-tripped up to Alta/Snowbird, and you can determine your realistic comfort zone. Beautiful drives, but roads cover huge verticals and are just in OK shape. And if it snows, the Santiago resorts can be messy since locals/cabs/taxis do not have chains though required.

Again, when I returned to Chile with brother & friend, we stayed onsite at Portillo after blizzard (my requirement). However, it was the true end of season (mid/late September) so there was high availability and low prices. One day-trip up from Santiago to Valle Nevado was a good bookend.



That would be desirable -> go on autopilot.

Assume Arpa received more snow than Santiago ski resorts, but less than Portillo. Seems worthwhile this year.




I generally try to do everything myself ski-wise, so I point out what annoyed me/screwed up, or what I liked/received value from. These observations are not necessarily universal. Not for everyone.

Snowbird/alta powder day commute doesn’t work mid winter anymore. My complicated and possibly stupid hack is solitude to highway to heaven skin track then wolverine cirque to Catherine area crossover.

Reservas replied promptly. Nothing until 9/9.

 

[ChrisC]

ChrisC is doing a professional job of buzzkilling both this storm

Let me finish the buzzkill if you chased this storm since it's been a week:

• Portillo - closed the entire week. But 466 cm / 184 inches of new snow! YTD: 208 inches.
• Valle Nevado - mostly limited (2 full closure days), but cut off transportation-wise. Andes HSQ opened at a few windows on Sunday and Wednesday. The costs of getting stuck at VN for 5 days $$$ with nothing meaningful to ski. Yikes! But a few very deep runs. Storm totals below forecast.
• El Colorado/La Parva - mostly closed with very limited beginner lifts operating until Wednesday (lower mountain/frontsides). Storm totals below forecast. Current snow bases not really impressive at 90cm; they will need more.
• Nevados de Chillán. Just opened for the season; no mid- or upper-mountain terrain yet.
• Pillan. Mostly rain.

Argentina:

• Las Lenas. Curious how much snow they actually received. Not sure if anyone has been to the top.
• Catedral. Worse than last year? Just avoid,

Basically, no one skied for a week - except a bit yesterday.

the idea of flying to South America!

Sure...roughly August 1st.

Portillo - typically the below cliff band is impenetrable except the main chute in center/left of chair. Looks like lots of lines might become skiable.

Note: Inca Lake is so deep (like Tahoe) that it never freezes anymore despite 10k elevation.