Chilean ski resorts extend seasons due to El Niño snowfall

Ski resorts in the Chilean Andes are experiencing historic season extensions due to heavy snowfall linked to one of the strongest El Niño events in recent decades. In the Metropolitan Region, major centers including Valle Nevado have extended operations by more than a month compared to previous records.

At Valle Nevado, located at approximately 3,000 meters above sea level, recent snowfall of 120 cm has allowed the resort to remain open until November 8, marking the first time in its 38-year history that skiing will continue into November. The total season length is expected to reach a record 143 days.

Other regional resorts have also seen extreme conditions; for instance, the Portillo resort recorded 365 cm of snow within a 72-hour period. Meteorologists from the Chilean Meteorological Directorate attribute these patterns to El Niño, which has brought increased moisture and heavy precipitation to central Chile throughout the winter and into the spring.