Most of Chile’s Ski Resorts Open For 2024 Season This Weekend (3 Weeks Early)

With excellent early season storms delivering nearly six feet (1.8m) of snow, most ski areas in Chile have opened this weekend, in most cases at least three weeks earlier than usual.

One of the country’s most famous resorts, Portillo, has begun its 75th anniversary season today, June 1, with weekend skiing (June 1-2, June 8 – 9, June 15-16). The Hotel Portillo will open for guests and the full main season with daily opening will begin as scheduled on June 20th.

Another leading resort, Valle Nevado, has also opened three weeks ahead of schedule this weekend and reports 4 feet (1.2m) of snow lying.

"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 international skiers and snowboarders to experience endless winter in the Chilean Andes this summer with the best snow in the Southern Hemisphere."

For this first weekend Valle Nevado has opened with the Gondola, Prado and Vaivén lifts in operation. Daily tickets are priced at $25,000 CLP, and children under 12 and seniors over 75 ski for free. Following June 2, Valle Nevado will announce further updates to its operating schedule.

Other centres opening this weekend include La Parva and El Colorado.

Three Chilean ski areas had already opened at weekends or daily over the past few weeks, including Corralco, Nevados de Chillan and Antillanca.

Over the border, South America’s largest area by uplift, Argentina’s Catedral, has announced that it will start its season a fortnight early, from next weekend.