2008 Ski Season Nearly Finished

The South American ski season is drawing to a close. Portillo have announced they will shut this weekend with Saturday 4th October being their last ski day for 2008.
It has been a bumper snow season in the Andes. The snow is now disappearing fast with warm spring conditions throughout the South American ski resorts.

Portillo and Valle Nevado Roads Now Open

The road between Santiago and Portillo Ski resort is again open to traffic heading for the resort. The road however remains shut at the border with Argentina meaning there is no road access to Mendoza.
The road between Santiago and Valle Nevado & the Three Valleys if now fully open.

Massive Storm Hits the Andes

Over the last few days the Andes of Chile & Argentina have been pounded by a huge snow storm. The roads to Portillo and Valle Nevado near to Santiago have both been closed preventing access to these key Chilean ski resorts.
The road to Portillo was shut at the normal holding point near to Los Andes where as Valle Nevado was shut a few miles short of the resort where the road forks from the main Farellones road. Access to La Parva & El Colorado has been possible.
With clearer weather forecast until at least the weekend all access are expected to be open again today.
Portillo are currently reporting on their website the road being closed.
Valle Nevado report the access road as being open.
(at 4.50 am Santiago time)

27cm New Snow Portillo

Portillo has just received a top up of 27cm (10.6 inches) of new snow in the last 24 hours.
New base depth at low level = 221cm (87 inches)
New base depth on the Plateau = 260cm (120 inches)

Chile Powder

Portillo, Valle Nevado and Termas de Chillan all got new snow this weekend with up to 70cm (27 inches) reported.
The road to Portillo was closed temporarily to wait for the snow to be cleared. Termas de Chillan had to shut the top lifts on Sunday.

Snow in Portillo, Chile

Portillo ski resort has received some new snow in the last week to add to the significant amount of accumulated snow they have.
We have just been advised by the resort that is again snowing on the mountain right now. (1658 hrs GMT)

Recent Snow in South America

In the last few days there has been new snow at Portillo, Valle Nevado, El Colorado & La Parva in Chile and Chapelco & Cerro Catedral (Bariloche) in Argentina.
More snow is forecast intermittently over the next 9 days.

Chile Snow Update

All the main resorts in Chile including Termas de Chillán, Portillo, Valle Nevado and La Parva have received recent snow falls with the majority of pistes and lifts open.
More light snow is forecast which should help keep the favourable conditions.

Chile and Argentina - Latest Ski Conditions

Snow Conditions in the South American Andes
Chile & Argentina Ski Resorts Recent Data

Country / Resort	Lower Slopes	Upper Slopes	Last Snowed	Snow Forecast	On Piste	Off Piste	Lifts Open
Argentina
Cerro Catedral	5cm	60cm	13 Jul (5cm)	19cm	Wet	Heavy	19 out of 25
Chapelco	8cm	24cm	13 Jul	16cm	Packed	Limited	6 out of 10
Las Lenas	185cm	371cm	12 Jul (5cm)	27cm	Packed	Varied	13 out of 1
Chile
Chapa Verde	20cm	60cm	21 Jun (10cm)	20cm	Closed		0 out of 6
El Colorado	80cm	120cm	13 Jul (10cm)	11cm	Powder	Tracked	13 out of 18
La Parva	185cm	300cm	13 Jul (10cm)	6cm	Powder	Tracked	13 out of 14
Portillo	163cm	175cm	13 Jul (30cm)	4cm	Powder	Powder	6 out of 13
Termas de Chillan	10cm	80cm	12 Jul (2cm)	49cm	Hard	Limited	8 out of 11
Valle Nevado	80cm	80cm	13 Jul (10cm)	12cm	Powder	Tracked	12 out of 12

Snow Parks in Chile & Argentina

There seems to be some confusion and misinformation about where the snow parks are in South America. let'stry to correct this with the information we have.
In Chile Valle Nevado has a large snow park and half pipe.
Termas de Chillán does not and will not for this season according to the resort staff. Termas however is a natural snow playground with the extensive and varied terrain they have. They had one about 10 years ago but have not had one since.
El Colorado normally has one.
Portillo doesn't have a snow park.
In Argentina Las Leñas will have if they get enough snow.
Bariloche usually has a good one.
Chapelco normally has 2 small ones, one main one and one for training and camps.
La Hoya in Esquel normally has one.

If you have any further information on snow parks updates from 2008 please leave a comment.

Portillo Announce Ski Pass Prices for 2008

**Please note our hotel and lodge packages at Portillo all include ski lift passes**
Portillo 2008 Ticket Prices - High Season Day Tickets
Adults CP28,500 : USD58.71 : GBP29.92
Children (5 a 12 años) CP18,000 : USD37.08 : GBP18.90
Seniors (65+) CP15,000 : USD30.90 : GBP15.75
Infants (-5 años) Free

Portillo 2008 Ticket Prices - Low Season Day Tickets
Adult CP22,000 : USD45.32 : GBP23.10
Child (5 to 12 yrs) CP14,000 : USD28.84 : GBP14.70
Seniors (65+ yrs) CP12,500 : USD25.75 : GBP13.12
Infants (<5 yrs) Free

Portillo 2008 Ticket Prices - High Season Day Tickets with Lunch
Adults CP32,900 : USD67.77 : GBP34.54
Childrens CP21,900 : USD45.11 : GBP22.99
Seniors CP18,900 : USD38.93 : GBP19.84

Portillo 2008 Ticket Prices - Low Season Day Tickets with Lunch
Adults CP25,900 : USD53.35 : GBP27.19
Childrens CP17,900 : USD36.87 : GBP18.79
Seniors CP16,900 : USD34.81 : GBP17.74

CP = Chilean Pesos with tax included
CP:USD:GBP exchange rate conversion at CP1000 : USD2.06 : GBP1.05
Tickets with lunch include lunch taken in the self service cafeteria e.g. Soup & Salad, Dish of the Day, Dessert & Drink

High Season: Saturday, Sunday, Holidays and between July 5 & August 15 (inclusive)
Low Season: Weekdays outside of high season dates and holidays.

Portillo to Open 14th June 2008

Portillo Ski Resort has announced that it will be opening a week early for the 2008 ski season. Whilst this may be a little late to make plans for a trip to Portillo in just 2 weeks, if you are already booked to ski or snowboard Portillo this summer it's looking like a great start to the season.
The Hotel Portillo , Octagon Lodge and Inca Lodge will all open to guests on Saturday June 14th 2008.
If you are looking for a last minute visit to Portillo then this is one of very weeks with availability in the Hotel Portillo.

Lots of Early Snow in the Andes

For the last 2 weeks there have been a number of good snow storms in the Chilean Andes.
Portillo has received over 6 feet of new snow with Valle Nevado and Termas de Chillan also receiving good snowfalls.

2008 El Niño Season in South America?

The amount of snow that has fallen at Portillo so far this month exceeds normal levels for this time of year. Is it that El Niño year that we've been promised?

According to the experts it could well be ...
Climate Prediction Center