Snow forecasting websites as well as skiers and snowboarders were buzzing late last week as weather models pointed toward a massive storm heading to Chile and Argentina. The predictions were colossal with some sites forecasting 100-plus inches at resorts like Portillo. South America’s ski season has been slow to start this year, but skiers and snowboarders who frequent Southern Hemisphere resorts know that one big storm can turn everything around. And this storm did just that.

>>> Take our poll: Where do you want to ski next? >>>

Read on to see how the storm played out and photo evidence of the snowfall at Portillo, Valle Nevado and Las Lenas!

Portillo snow report: 5.5 feet in 7 days

Anyone who has hunkered down during a big storm at Portillo knows that this resort can get a lot of snow in a short amount of time. Storms settle in over the Lake of the Incas and hammer the surrounding peaks with snow measuring in feet, not inches. This storm was forecast to be big, and it certainly lived up to its prediction.

“Over the last seven days we received 5.5 feet of snow, and over half of that came in the last 48 hours,” said Rebecca Armstrong, Marketing Manager at Ski Portillo.

Armstrong told us that crews haven’t been out on the runs to test conditions yet, but Portillo’s July 18 opening day has potential to be great with cold conditions forecast through this week. We’ll update this post as soon as we have a conditions report from skiers on the ground in Portillo!

General Manager Miguel Purcel getting a read on the storm himself | Photo: Ski Portillo, July 12
A chalet at Portillo barely visible through the driving snow | Photo: Ski Portillo, July 12, 2015
A view of the mid-storm accumulations during a break in the snow | Photo: Ski Portillo, July 12, 2015
The Octagon Lodge and an iconic vista at Ski Portillo after the snow stopped this morning | Photo: Ski Portillo, July 13, 2015
Portillo’s iconic view, all dressed in white after the storm | Photo: Ski Portillo, July 13, 2015
Looking up toward the Roca Jack face at Portillo | Photo: Ski Portillo, July 13, 2015
The peaks surrounding Portillo are lacquered with 5.5 feet of freshly fallen snow. | Photo: Ski Portillo, July 13, 2015

Valle Nevado snow report: 31 inches over the weekend

Valle Nevado also received solid snowfall totals from the weekend storm, tallying 31 inches. The photos below show conditions now that the storm has cleared and the sun has come out. The resort’s July 17 opening day is shaping up to be one for the books.

July 14 update: Valle Nevado just announced that the resort will open for day skiers and season-pass holders on Wednesday, July 15!

Valle Nevado with 31 inches of new snow after the weekend’s storm | Photo: Valle Nevado, July 13
Deep tracks at Valle Nevado this morning | Photo: Valle Nevado, July 13, 2015
Valle Nevado’s hot tubs will be full of satisfied skiers by the afternoon of July 17! | Photo: Valle Nevado, July 13, 2015

Las Lenas snow report: 39 inches on the ground this morning

Farther south in Argentina, Las Lenas also reaped the rewards of this massive storm. The resort has been posting photos of the storm for days, and this morning the clouds cleared to reveal a meter of new snow on the slopes.

The road to Las Lenas during the storm looks mighty wintry. | Photo: Las Lenas Ski Resort, July 11, 2015
The clouds parted this morning to reveal a meter of new snow on the slopes. | Photo: Las Lenas Ski Resort, July 13, 2015

 

If you’re ready to seek powder in South America, our Mountain Travel Experts are standing by. Request a custom quote or call 800-610-8911 to speak with an expert today!