“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, a.o-button”} }”>
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!
>”,”name”:”in-content-cta”,”type”:”link”}}”>Download the app.
In a typical winter, the ski resorts of Argentina and Chile open in mid-to-late June. Although it’s too early to make sweeping generalizations, this is shaping up to be a better-than-typical winter: Recent storms have brought between four and six feet of snow to the Andes before May is even in the rearview mirror, allowing ski areas to start spinning their lifts well ahead of schedule.
Chile’s Valle Nevado has gotten enough early-season snow to kick off winter ahead of schedule. (Photo: Courtesy of Valle Nevado)
So far, six South American ski areas are either open or planning to open this weekend.
The first to open in the region was Argentina’s Cerro Catedral, at the southern tip of the continent near the town of Bariloche. The ski area saw over eight feet of snow on portions of the slopes in early May and was able open limited lifts starting from May 9 to May 11 for residents only. The resort is working hard to open to the public and plans to announce a firm date soon.
Corralco, a southern Chilean ski area, was the next one to benefit from the early-season spoils. While the resort typically opens in late May, it was able to welcome skiers on May 18 this season thanks to its higher elevation and excellent early-season coverage. It’s currently open to the public.
Next up, Chile’s El Colorado, the closest ski area to Santiago, is planning to open on Thursday (May 30), almost a month ahead of its scheduled start. The ski area will open with over three feet of snow and seven lifts.
Chile’s Valle Nevado, whose parent company, U.S.-based Mountain Capital Partners, recently announced plans to purchase neighboring La Parva resort, will open Friday (May 31) through Sunday (June 2), a full three weeks ahead of its original June 21 opening day. La Parva will follow the same schedule. Both resorts have reported over four feet of powder in the last few days. At press time, the resorts hadn’t committed to a fixed operating schedule beyond the weekend but plan to update their social media channels based on conditions and other factors. Valle Nevado will have three lifts open to start, including the gondola, and lift tickets will be available for around $28. La Parva will have four lifts and adult tickets start at $33.
Also Read: 12 Must-Ski Resorts in South America
Ski Portillo is kicking off its 75th anniversary season with over six feet of snow, allowing the Chilean resort to open on June 1, and stay open on weekends only until June 22, its original opening date. A handful of runs and lifts will be operating, conditions permitting, during this extended early season. Lift tickets start at $47.
There are more storms in the forecast, according to Open Snow, particularly for the resorts of northern Chile and Argentina. Subscribe to Open Snow’s “Daily Snow” forecasts and check the resorts’ social media updates for the latest on conditions.
Source link : https://www.skimag.com/ski-resort-life/south-america/south-america-early-season-snow/
Author :
Publish date : 2024-05-29 02:00:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
