Ski Portillo Cut Off After Storm Dumps More Than 4.5 Metres of Snow

Ski Portillo remains cut off after one of the season's biggest Andes storms

Ski Portillo, high in the Andes near the Chile-Argentina border, has been isolated since Tuesday after a prolonged storm buried the resort under more than 4.5 metres of snow. Portillo announced the total on Monday, 20 July, and says further snowfall is expected in the coming days as the system continues. Both ground transportation and air access remain suspended while crews monitor weather and avalanche hazards, with no confirmed timeline for reopening.

A storm defined by duration, not just depth

What's made this system unusual isn't only the snowfall total but how long it's lasted - constantly shifting forecasts have made it difficult to pin down when conditions will improve enough to safely reopen the road. The combination of heavy snow, strong winds, and rising avalanche danger has left authorities without a reliable reopening timeline, while poor visibility and severe mountain weather have also limited air access. Portillo says it's monitoring conditions closely and will keep guests updated through its official channels.

One of the Southern Hemisphere's most historic resorts

Portillo sits at more than 2,800 metres beside Laguna del Inca and has operated for decades, drawing recreational skiers alongside elite athletes and national teams that use the resort for Southern Hemisphere winter training. It covers more than 480 hectares of terrain served by a mix of standard chairlifts and its distinctive Va et Vient lifts, built to move skiers efficiently on some of Portillo's steeper slopes. That remote setting is part of the appeal, but it's also what leaves the resort exposed when a major storm disrupts the roads in and out. With more snow still forecast, there's no confirmed reopening date - once access returns, the depth of this season's snowpack could set up strong conditions for the rest of the winter.