South American Ski Resorts - More Snow

A number of the South American ski resorts are still getting snow even though the 2009 season is long since finished. Please stop snowing and get in with the summer. The sooner the summer starts and subsequently finishes ... it'll be winter time again and the start of the 2010 ski season in South America!

Snow Falls In South America

There have been several snow storms in the last couple of weeks in the Andes. Most ski resorts have great snow conditions. All the main resorts in Chile & Argentina have sufficiently good snow conditions and good snow bases.
Termas de Chillán got half a metre of fresh powder this last weekend.
Valle Nevado with it's higher altitude slopes is the main resort for skiing or snowboarding near to Santiago making up the 3 Valleys of Chile with La Parva & El Colorado. Portillo has also benefited from the recent snow storms and Snoventures still have a few spaces available.
Argentina and particularly Catedral Bariloche has had significant snow falls and is now fully stocked for the next few weeks.

Powder in the Andes

August could turn out to be the best month of the ski season yet again! Recent heavy snowfalls have left a good accumulation of powder in several of the ski resorts in Chile & Argentina including Bariloche and Termas de Chillán

Bariloche Snow 2nd September - Photos

Bariloche has been one of several resorts to be gifted by the annual annual Andean snow storm the Santa Rosa.
Here are some photos the snow conditions at Catedral Bariloche Ski Resort earlier today.

The Santa Rosa Hits the Andes

Numerous resorts in the Andes of South America have benefited from the Santa Rosa who has delivered fresh powder to ski resorts in both the Chilean & Argentinean Andes.
It has been snowing all weekend in Bariloche and is still snowing today.
Termas de Chillán has had fresh powder with lots of fresh tracks to be had.

If the temperatures stay low it looks like the season could be more certain to continue into October.

Snow Forecast for Bariloche Argentina

Over the next 5 days regular snowfalls are forecast for Cerro Catedral Ski Resort Bariloche. There is no major snow storm forecast however snow is forecast on most days between now and next Tuesday (2nd September).
Follow this link for a more detailed breakdown

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.

Chapelco 25cm in 24 Hours

25cm (10 inches of snow has fallen at Chapelco in the last 24 hours according to their official website. They now have 67cm (26 inches) at the top, although snow is still scarce on the lower slopes.
Snoventures Weather Links

Snowing in Valle Nevado Now

It is snowing in Valle Nevado right now. Over 40cm (approx 16 inches) has been forcast for today.

Bariloche to Get More Snow

Snow is forecast in Bariloche for the next week. There is no storm as such forecast although it is likely to snow on and off with the peak period forecast being this coming Tuesday night.

New Snow at Chapelco, Argentina

20cm (8 inches) of new snow has fallen in the last 24 hours at Chapelco. The resort are now reporting 42cm (16 inches) at the top and 34cm (13 inches) at the mid station.
More than half of the lifts are open today.

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.

Argentina Snow Update

Bariloche and Chapelco have received the most significant amounts of snow in the last week. Both resorts are open with some pistes and lifts remaining closed.
Chapelco is reporting 17 out of 22 pistes open today.
Las Leñas has had a great start to the season and although only light snow falls in the last week conditions are still excellent with the resort reporting all but one piste open, all with powder!

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.

Chapelco Snow Report Latest

New snow this last week at Chapelco has allowed the ski resort to open at least five of the lifts. It's been a slow start to the season for Chapelco, however ski conditions are starting to look better now.
Chapelco now has a base of 32cm (13 inches) at the top, still with no base on the lowest slopes, however with more snow forecast this week, this should change.
5 lifts are reported to be open at Chapelco.

Bariloche Snow Report Latest

Catedral Bariloche in Patagonia has received several lots of new snow this week. 5cm (2 inches) has fallen in the last 24 hours.
The top now has a base of 1.05 metres (42 inches) with 10cm (4 inches) on the lower slopes.
14 lifts are reported to be running.

Termas de Chillan - Snow!

Heavy snow is forecast to hit Termas de Chillán on Tuesday night (22nd)

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

Chapelco - Light Snow Forecast

Chapelco ski resort is in much need of snow. Light snow is forecast for several days this week, hopefully followed by a serious storm!

Bariloche - Heavy Snow Forecast

Heavy snow in the region of 16cm (6.3inches) is forecast for Catedral Bariloche with moderate to light snow falls forecast throughout this week.

Chapelco Gets Much Needed Snow

50cm of fresh snow was added at the top yesterday with 10cm at the base. Another storm is forecast later this week and should be enough to get the mountain into full flow.

New Snow in Bariloche

It snow in Bariloche last night adding 50cm of fresh snow at the top and 10cm at the base. The resort are working to get more runs open tomorrow.

Las Araucarias Shuts as Volcan Llaima Erupts

Llaima Volcano has erupted and for safety reasons closed Las Araucarias ski resort in central Chile. The resort is famous for it's Araucaria trees and spectacular setting on the slopes of 'Volcan Llaima' in Conguillío National Park.
Not an immediate threat to residents of the area the lava flow is heading towards the direction of the Calbuco River.
The lava flow stretched over 2km and was 50 metres wide.
The last eruption was at the start of 2008 and there has been no significant activity between then and now.
There is no threat to other ski resorts although if the ash cloud increases it could affect air travel into Concepcion or Temuco airports.

Chapelco Planned Opening 28th June

Chapelco Ski Resort (San Martín de los Andes) have just announced their new planned opening date of Saturday 28th June for the 2008 season.

Lifts Open at Bariloche

On Wednesday 25th June the following ski lifts will be opened:
Lift Chair (6 person)
Lynch
La Hoya
Punta Nevada (4 person)
The Princesa Lift will only be open for pedestrians

Please note: From the Lynch intermediate level downhill the ski runs will not be opened permanently just yet.
The areas where you are able to ski will be very well marked with signposts until the snow reaches its normal level.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact us

Bariloche Only Partially Open

Yesterday there was a very limited amount skiing on the upper slopes at Bariloche although we are told this was just for beginner classes. We will hopefully have more info today. In the meantime here is the forecast for the upper slopes in the next few days.. At the time of writing this there were some light snow falls forecast on the upper slopes with siginificant snow forecast for Thursday 26th August.
If you are due to visit Bariloche with Snoventures we are currently looking to see if there are any suitable alternative options for you and either our partners or ourselves will be in touch very soon.
Bariloche Cerro Catedral Detailed Snow Forecast

Snow in Bariloche

Although Bariloche postponed their opening from the 14th June, today it has been snowing on the mountain and in the town. We are waiting confirmation of the lifts starting for the 2008 ski season at Catedral Alta Patagonia.

Chaiten Volcano Rumblings

Since it's eruption on 2nd May Chaiten Volcano had been calm. In the last days there have been more ash emissions and rumblings from the volcano so the local geologists are now keeping a close watch on the volcano.
The May eruption had sent clouds of ash over a large area of Patagonia and appeared to have settled until just recently.

Whilst no immediate danger in the ski resorts the ash clouds may be seen over nearby resorts if this continues.

The closest ski resort to Chaiten is La Hoya near to the town of Esquel. Bariloche is quite some distance from Chaiten although if the ash clouds turn out to be significant it may affect air travel.

We will update if and when we hear any significant and relevant news or if this could affect the skiing.

Bariloche to Open Thursday 12th June

Catedral Alta Patagonia Ski Resort Bariloche, Patagonia will open their lifts this Thursday 12th June, slightly earlier than normal after the early snowfalls in the Andes.
Various packages are still available at Bariloche for 2008 with choices of staying in a wide range of accommodation either at the ski resort or in the town if cost or the need to party is an important part of your holiday!

Snow Forecast for Bariloche this Weekend

Heaviest snow fall is likely to be Saturday evening/night with more forecast for Monday.
More detail here Bariloche Snow Forecast

It's Snowing in Las Lenas

Yeeeehhhhhh!!!! Here are links to the Las Lenas web cams so you can see for yourself...
Las Lenas Web Cam 1
Las Lenas Web Cam 2
Las Lenas Web Cam 3

Valle Nevado Today #2

Valle Nevado Today #1

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