Chile and Argentina’s ski resorts are smack-dab in the middle of one of the best seasons in recent memory. The snow started in early July and hasn’t stopped since.

A storm that started on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, is still pounding the Andes with snow and is expected to taper off throughout the weekend. More snow showers are in the forecast for the following two weeks, according to OpenSnow.

Ski Portillo, Chile, perhaps the most famous ski resort in South America, has far exceeded its annual snowfall average, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. The resort has extended its season to October 12, 2026, an unprecedented move that can only be explained by the copious amount of snow that has fallen this winter.

As of this morning, August 27, 2026, Ski Portillo is reporting 31 inches (79cm) in the last seven days, 353 inches (898cm) on the season, and a whopping max snow base depth of 120 inches (305cm).

For context, Ski Portillo typically averages 200 inches (508cm) across an entire winter.

Slightly further south at Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado, the snow isn’t stacking up as high as Ski Portillo, but there’s been more than enough to extend Valle Nevado’s season to October 18, 2026.

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Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado have not updated their snow reports at the time of publishing, but webcams show fresh snow blanketing the slopes this morning, August 27, 2026. See below.

In Argentina, Las Leñas, known for big descents and its freeride terrain off the famous Marte Chair, has not updated its snow report officially, but our friends at Powderquest are reporting at least two feet of new snow, and likely more.

From Powderquest on August 26, 2026: “Absolutely hammering snow in Las Leñas, Argentina today with a foot (30 cm) of new snow in the village and likely 2 feet (60cm) at the top. Forecasts expect these snow totals to easily double as the snow continues this week September is looking to be all time!”

Cerro Catedral, Argentina’s largest ski resort, located near Patagonia, is reporting 24 inches (60cm) of new snow on its upper elevation terrain as of this morning. The resort is warning that avalanche danger is Level 4- HIGH today, August 27, 2026, due to the new snowfall.

While most of the Andes are celebrating the snowfall as a boon to tourism, the same can’t be said for ski resorts in the southernmost reaches of South America.

The Backcountry Invitational was set to host an event near Ushuaia, Argentina, but recently pulled the plug, citing poor snow conditions. Cerro Castor, a popular ski resort near Ushuaia, for example, is reporting a max base depth of just 17 inches (45cm) at its 3,500′ summit (1057m).

With that in mind, if you’re looking to chase powder on a last-second trip, we recommend visiting a ski resort near Santiago, Chile, or Mendoza, Argentina. This region seems to be the sweet spot for El Niño’s spoils. Happy chasing!