30th May 2024
Last modified on June 2nd, 2024
Portillo and Valle Nevado in Chile open this weekend after 2m of snow has recently fallen. Summer skiing has also begun in the northern hemisphere. UPDATED
Following last week’s huge snowfall, Valle Nevado, opened three weeks ahead of schedule on Friday, May 31st.
“We are thrilled to open the slopes early this season! Our team has been working hard to get ready for the upcoming season, and with 4 feet of early season snow, we are off to a great start,” said Valle Nevado General Manager, Ricardo Margulis.
“We are excited to welcome North American skiers and snowboarders to experience endless winter in the Chilean Andes this summer with the best snow in the Southern Hemisphere.”
It is linking with neighbouring La Parva this season to become the largest ski area in the southern hemisphere, as we reported earlier:
Image credit, La Parva.
It is weekends only in Portillo for much of June with locals able to make some early turns this weekend as the resort opens for the season.
The Hotel Portillo opens on June 20th.
We reported on conditions in South America earlier on PlanetSKI:
In Australia resorts are planning to open next weekend (June 8th), though conditions are poor.
Snowmaking is underway but some natural snow would be more than welcome.
Perisher, that is next door to Thredbo, is making snow at every opportunity and other ski areas are doing the same.
In the state of Victoria Mt Buller has five all-weather snowmaking guns that are being used.
In New Zealand resorts are planning to open in the second half of June.
One resort, Whakapapa on the north island, opened its magi carpets on Saturday June 1st and Sunday June 2nd.
Terrain is is limited but the first skiers and snowboarders have been making some turns.
In the northern hemisphere the summer ski season is underway in Norway.
The Norwegian resort of Stryn Sommer Ski fired up its lifts last weekend.
The resort was due to open on June 1st, but brought proceedings forward.
It has depth of 6m after heavy winter snow.
Other resorts in Scandinavia are also open.
Riksgransen in Sweden is closing due to warmer temperatures, buy it hopes to re-open later in June for mid-summer skiing.
In the Alps the Italian resort of Passo Stelvio has been unable to open for summer skiing as there is too much snow.
We have reported on it elsewhere on PlanetSKI:
There are currently three glacier resorts open in Austria – Molltal, Kitzsteinhorn and Hintertux.
Zermatt is also open and the glacier area can also be accessed from Cervinia in Italy.
Meanwhile there is still some skiing in the USA.
But not for long.
The Beast will be open on June 1st for the final day of the 2023/24 winter season.
The Superstar Express Quad will spin from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (conditions permitting) on Saturday. Tickets will be $25, with proceeds benefitting Killington Mountain Bike Club.
See you on the hill! pic.twitter.com/uIDnp4mBgx
— Killington Resort (@KillingtonMtn) May 30, 2024
More to follow…
June’s Ski News in Brief ›
Source link : https://planetski.eu/2024/05/30/resorts-open-early-in-south-america/
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Publish date : 2024-05-31 03:43:17
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