TL;DR
Ski Portillo remains isolated after an extended storm buried the Chilean resort under more than 4.5 metres of snow, with both ground and air access suspended since Tuesday while crews monitor avalanche hazards and worsening weather. Resort officials say further snowfall is expected in the coming days and haven't set a timeline for reopening the mountain road. Once access resumes, the scale of the snowpack could set up a strong season at one of the Southern Hemisphere's most historic ski resorts.
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.
