Portillo Storm Snowfall Total Passes 5m / 17 Feet

A snow storm that has now continued for nine days has taken Chilean ski resort Portillo to a snowfall total of 5.2 metres (17 feet) so far, with more snow forecast.

The storm brought its heaviest accumulations last weekend with up to 1.54m (5 feet) in 24 hours, but has been followed by 30-60cm (1-2 feet) more most days over the past week.

The resort has effectively been closed for more than week due to the severity of the storm with roads in and out of Portillo closed and Chile declaring a state of emergency because of the wider impact of the storm which brought gales and torrential rain at lower altitudes.

The closure comes after Portillo was forced to delay opening multiple times in June through to the start of July with too little snowfall. Up to the storm’s arrival, it was operating limited terrain due to limited cover. It has now had ten times as much snowfall over the past nine days than the previous two months.

Elsewhere most other Chilean ski areas are reporting good snowfalls too, but not on the scale of Portillo’s and they are managing to open some terrain with safely the priority as bases build and the snow keeps falling.

Valle Nevado reports about two-thirds of its slopes open and that it has reached 3m (10 feet) of snowfall over the past nine days. The road into the resort is open to 4x4 with snow chains in the mornings, then to vehicles leaving in the afternoons.  

“As a result of the significant snowfall, Valle Nevado is progressively opening lifts and trails as mountain operations allow. Guest safety remains the resort's highest priority, and additional terrain will open as conditions permit. The combination of deep snow and continued storms is creating outstanding conditions for what should be an exceptional Southern Hemisphere season once the mountain is fully open,” a spokesperson for the centre said.