South America 2026

[Tony Crocker]

Is this because I’ve skied places with only unfavourable elevation or aspect or latitude (Thredbo, Perisher, Coronet Peak, Cardrona etc) in mid September while I’ve only skied places with favourable elevation or aspect or latitude (Whistler, Banff, Altabird, Mammoth, Tignes, Val D’Isere, Aspen) in the northern spring time?

That's most of it. But in Santiago, Chile and environs average September precipitation is no more than half of what June and July are, while average precipitation in March in Utah, Colorado and the Alps is just as much as in December/January. Then you have the latitude which makes Portillo/VN Sept. 20 about like April 8 in Mammoth/LCC in terms of sun angle even though altitude is the same. I'm currently viewing this as a positive, raises the odds of corn considerably. The past month has told me that chasing powder in South America is extremely problematic.

 

[Casey E]

Uncle Bob delivers

 

[mmKUstorm]

This most recent storm cycle was a bust at VN and boom at Portillo as usual.

 

[Tony Crocker]

This most recent storm cycle was a bust at VN and boom at Portillo.

Yes. 7.5 inches at VN and 37 at Portillo.

as usual.

This season yes, and overall long term Portillo gets more, which I believe CaseyE agreed with recently. But all of these areas suffered intensely during most of the past 15 seasons.

Portillo's season total is now 359 inches (Valle Nevado is at 210). But given September climatology it's far from a foregone conclusion Portillo will get to 400. Maybe the El Nino raises those odds some.

 

[Casey E]

With the base the 3 Valleys have there’s oodles of space for 7.5 inches to provide several thousand vertical meters of minimally tracked powder

Sr Wild on Alpha

And elsewhere

Everything was skiable

We bailed just in time before the clouds took over