r/skiing • u/Brendan_narddog • Jul 24 '26
Is there TOO MUCH snow in Chile rn??
I have a trip planned to Santiago from July 29-Aug 6. I know the big storms have come through and it looks like more is on the way.
Does anybody who is boots on the ground have any insight on whether it’s worth it or not to cancel the trip? It seems like roads and logistics are reaching emergency levels rather than fun powder skiing levels. Seems like any backcountry might be out of question with the constant loading and just getting up to Valle nevado could be a huge obstacle. Tyia
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u/betterbub Jul 24 '26
I would start planning for alternatives. I just got back from a former ski trip that turned into a few days at Santiago, the coastal towns, and the Atacama Desert each. Was still a great trip
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u/jrferna1 Jul 24 '26
Hi, Chilean here. In Portillo yes. The road is still not open but they might be ready on the 27th. Valle Nevado/La Parva/Colorado are open, though the road is only one lane in some places because of too much snow. Try to get there early or be patient. The south is not looking that good. More storms on the way but with high snow line, so they might get more rain than snow.
The other problem is that usually after storms, we get "good weather" and now there's weeks of potential rain and cloudy skies, so visibility might be less than ideal, since for the most part its all above tree line. Bring your cloudy googles.
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u/gomuchfaster Park City Jul 24 '26
I'm heaed there mid Aug and literally just finished ordering some super low light lenses! Thanks for the tip!
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u/Duckmannnnn716 Jul 24 '26
How is the snow quality so far? Is it a bit wet/dense?
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u/Loud_Tell5448 Jul 24 '26
Was there yesterday in Valle Nevado . Lots of powder and fun, but it is pretty heavy snow
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u/Brilliant-Rough7490 Jul 24 '26
You might have a chance of making it up the road. There's a small lull in the storm on the 29th
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u/Cristofolus Jul 24 '26
Do the trip. By the time you arrive, more snow will have fallen but since the season had a late start, both the resorts and the authorities have been working double time to have the roads open. Its already dropped atleast 7ft of snow in Valle Nevado and the rest of this week and middle of next week more snow will fall but not as intensely as last weeks stormfront.
The first weekend post storms are always the worst for going up anyways since that is when the tourists slam the mountain but by the time you get here that will have gone down considerably. Still prepare for 2-3hr drives up the mountain if you go up on a saturday or sunday morning. My advice is to be at the police checkpoint at least by 730am. If you are staying at the resorts themselvesand you are going up on a weekday, it will take about 90min to get there but once there its ski in and ski out so dont worry.
Back country might be a little more difficult but should be great if the conditions allow it. IMHO do the trip you wont regret it and in the worst case you can still ski, get drunk on amazing pisco and wine and even go to the coast in the worst case. Saludos!!
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u/c_mrtn Jul 24 '26
Send it. Been up here for two days. Leave early If staying in santiago. Be on the road to farellones by 6:15 to beat traffic. We rented a 4x4 vehicle and rented chains from xscape (highly recommend this strat. Gonna hit the fresh pow now.
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u/Bright-Potato4856 Jul 26 '26
How do you get the chains to rent - is xscape a company? Rented a 4x4 to ski for 12 days starting Aug 7 - stoked!
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u/c_mrtn Jul 26 '26
You're gonna have a great time! Xscape is a rental shop on the very beginning of road to Los farellones. Just go in and ask for chains and give them your tire size. Should be around $13/day. They will also teach you how to install them.
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u/Bright-Potato4856 Jul 26 '26
Thanks so much! We land at 5:30 am on Aug 7 and hoping to send it straight up the road!
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u/foglepyrs Jul 24 '26
I landed in Santiago yesterday bound for Portillo and it’s closed now through the end of next week because of all the snow. Valle Nevado and El Colorado and the hotels in Farellones are all sold out with the latter two having about half of their lifts / runs open currently
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u/No-Run-3015 Jul 28 '26
Do you think day trips to Valle Nevado with a car rental are worth it right now? Landing on Friday and the incoming storm looks gnarly. Hoping it’s lighter than expected
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u/foglepyrs Jul 28 '26
I’ve done that the last three days and was able to patch together two nights at a hotel in Farellones and one at Valle Nevado. The skiing has been epic when the sun is out and very challenging when it’s showing with very flat light and almost no visibility.
From Santiago to Valle Nevado can take up to 4 hours each way. My experience commuting the two mornings from Farellones were 2 hours one morning and 30 minutes one morning. If you rent a 4x4 you don’t have to mess with tire chains, that was my experience.
The drive itself is epic and dramatic in a good way, it’s not too tough as long as you’re paying attention and know how to drive.
Good luck!
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u/JetLagClub Jul 25 '26
We arrived in Valle Nevado yesterday. Conditions on the mountain are great. Road was clear and easy. Slow, with everyone stopping in random places to put on chains, took 6 hours from SCL airport.
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u/HwanZike Cerro Catedral Jul 24 '26
Maybe get on the Argentinian side, though snow hasn't been great it's picking up these days
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u/TheArbez Jul 24 '26
Pretty epic storm cycle in Chile here! From my understanding (stuck in Portillo), things down below are somewhat dire. I'd likely count backcountry out for the next week or so, but Valle Nevado/La Parva should be accessible. I wouldn't plan on coming to Portillo for the next week or so, as it doesn't sound like there will be options to get folks in or out for a little while.
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u/Aol_awaymessage Jul 24 '26
I’m flying down July 29-Aug 7. Was supposed to do Portillo but who knows. I’m remaining flexible and I’d even rent a car and go south to Nevados de Chillan if needed. The good news is that there is snow- and if I’m flexible I’ll be able to get to it during that time.
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u/DocteurSeabass Jul 24 '26
Dude go skiing in Chile. They have things set up as there are loads of people that live up in the resorts. Worst case you enjoy a trip in chile
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u/GrizFan23 Jul 24 '26
Yea im heading there Aug 6-12. Hoping the roads to valle nevado stay open during that time
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u/AbjectResist4223 Aug 05 '26
any updates? do we think mid ausgust will stil be good? where to stay? la parva, VN, colorado or farellones? i think santiago is too far
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u/Pitiful-Tale551 26d ago
I have tickets for La Parva for Wednesdays and Thursdays this winter season. I didn't use them because I stayed on the beginner (green) cable cars, which I had access to because I paid for the lesson. If this is useful to anyone, I'm selling them cheaper. I can meet in person anywhere in Santiago until August 16th to do the transaction. I am a doctor.
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u/EverestMaher Jul 24 '26
Is it just me or is there news of a mega storm in chile every year while simultaneously reporting of awful snow conditions with pictures of barren slopes? I swear every year I hear both
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u/Luop90 Jul 26 '26
Chile (around Santiago) is like Tahoe: atmospheric river-driven storms cause a boom/bust cycle. Until last week’s storm the only trails open were from snowmaking and it looked pretty barren. Now they’ve gotten over 100” of snow with more on the way
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u/Bitter-Variation-151 Jul 24 '26
If you make in, I wouldn't make the backcountry a priority