South America Kicks Off Ski Season With Powder Conditions; Strong Bookings

Ski and snowboard conditions in Chile and Argentina are reportedly good with up to 218cm of snow at this point, and the majority of lifts already in operation. All ski resorts were open by early-to-mid June.

Portillo opened in mid-June and so far has had 165cm (5 feet) of snow this season. Current conditions are 53cm of packed powder across all slopes. 71 percent (11 out of 14) of lifts are now open. It last snowed June 23 (41cm).

Valle Nevado opened in mid-June and has accumulated 218cm (7 feet) . The majority of lifts are now open (10 out of 14) and pistes are packed with 40cm of powder. The snowpark is not yet open. It last snowed June 23 (40cm).

Kristina Schreck, media relations officer for Valle Nevado, says: "This year the first snow came very early - at the beginning of May - and we've had regular snowfalls ever since. There's more on the way for next week with a major storm coming in from the South Pacific Ocean."

El Colorado has had 234cm (7-plus feet) since it opened in mid-June. Conditions here are excellent with all 30 pistes and the snowpark now open. There is 150cm of snow at the top and 60cm at the base of the mountain. It last snowed June 25 (40cm).

Las Lenas opened in early June and is reporting powder conditions with 85cm (2 feet) of snow on the upper slopes and 40cm on the lower slopes. 75 percent of its lifts (11 out of 13) are now operating. It last snowed June 23 (50cm).

Cerro Catedral also opened in early June and 50cm (1 foot) of packed snow on the upper slopes and 10cm on the lower slopes. A further 20cm of powder has fallen in the last 12 hours.

Sergio Begue, founder and trip leader for Andes Ski Tours, says, "The South America ski season is looking great after lots of early snow. Our sales are up about 35 percent compared to last year and we have seen an increase in skiers from the United Kingdom, Canada, and South Africa."