South American Ski Area Extends Season After Huge Snowfalls

Chile’s Portillo ski area has announced it is extending its 2026 season by several week into mid-October after massive snowfalls over the past month, according to specialist South American ski holiday operator, Powderchasers.

The resort has now had more than 8 metres (27 feet) of snowfall over the past month and is currently posting the deepest base of any ski areas in the world at 285cm (9.5 feet).

However, it has lost more than five weeks of its season, the first few at the start of winter in June when it was unable to open due to too little snowfall, followed by almost four weeks in late-July and early-August when access roads were closed by too much snowfall. Some guests could get in and out by helicopter at times though.

The resort continues to report that its access roads are closed, for more than five weeks straight now, but those skiing there says that despite this they can be used by those wanting to head to Portillo to ski.

Portillo had originally given a closing date of 26 September, 2026.