Portillo Buried Under 6 Meters of Snow

The Chilean resort has accumulated over six meters of snow since the start of the season and received almost its entire average annual snowfall in just one week.

Forecasts for the austral winter have been shattered in just a few weeks. After a season start marked by meteorological uncertainty, Ski Portillo has already accumulated over six meters of snow since its opening on July 6th and is preparing for an incredible season.

The historic Chilean resort has received nearly 4.7 meters of new snow in the last seven days, a figure that practically equals its entire average annual snowfall. Extraordinary snowfall even for Portillo, which typically closes its seasons with just over five meters of accumulated snow.

What began with just three operational slopes has transformed in a matter of days into one of the Andes' winter stories. While much of the industry watched the meteorological forecasts for South America, the successive storms that have swept the Andes over recent weeks have completely altered the landscape.

The snow has arrived with such intensity that the resort has been forced to minimize its operations. The access road remains closed since mid-July, both for those arriving from Santiago de Chile and visitors from Mendoza (Argentina), while work continues to ensure mountain safety.

An Unrecognizable Mountain

Images arriving from Portillo these days show a completely transformed resort. Crews working to clear access routes, buildings surrounded by snow walls several meters high, and the hotel's iconic pool covered by a white blanket are just some of the scenes this exceptional start to the season is delivering.

Currently, approximately 260 centimeters of snow are recorded at the base of the resort, next to Hotel Portillo, while accumulation at mid-mountain is already approaching three meters. Higher elevations remain inaccessible due to intense snowfall in recent days.

Paradoxically, a ski resort's greatest attraction has also become its main challenge. Before considering the progressive opening of the ski area, Portillo must complete slope conditioning work and corresponding avalanche controls to guarantee the safety of skiers and workers.

Powder for the Few

The situation has also provided some rare scenes. Guests staying at Hotel Portillo these days have enjoyed occasional lift openings when weather and safety conditions permitted, finding a practically empty mountain and some powder days reserved for a fortunate few.

Portillo is one of those places where skiing retains some of the spirit of the great alpine weeks. Located just over two hours from Santiago de Chile, the resort combines 35 slopes, extraordinary off-piste terrain, and privileged views of Lago del Inca, which have made it, since its founding in 1949, South America's most emblematic resort.

Its characteristic yellow hotel remains the heart of the complex. Far from the model of large international resorts, Portillo maintains a more intimate and unhurried concept.

“Please, Stop Doing the Snow Dance”

It is not common for a ski resort to publicly request that it stop snowing. However, that is precisely what Portillo has done.

"Everyone doing the snow dance, please stop. We want to ski!" the Chilean resort recently posted on its social media, a humorous message that perfectly sums up the current situation at the Chilean resort.

The request does not seem exaggerated. Weather forecasts continue to predict new snowfall for the coming days, which could delay the full reopening of the road and the entire ski area.

When the storms finally relent, it will be time to launch some of Portillo's great icons, including the Roca Jack, one of only two six-person va-et-vient surface lifts in the world and a true institution for those who visit the Chilean resort.

With over two months of the season still ahead, it is impossible to know what the final accumulated snow figure will be this winter. What does seem clear is that Portillo has already surpassed all forecasts that accompanied the start of the season. The austral winter still has much to say in the Andes, but the Chilean resort has already marked one of the most extraordinary starts in recent years.