Winter '24 Opening Dates for South America's Notable Ski Resorts

However, prospective jet-setters have something to look forward to amidst this meteorological funny business. While our winter is winding down, ski resorts in the Southern Hemisphere are gearing up for another helping of fresh snow.

Here's when a selection of South American heavy-hitters plan to open for the Southern Hemisphere winter.

As always, the "weather and conditions permitting" caveat applies here. These dates were accurate as of Thursday, May 23rd, 2024. This article will be updated periodically.

Argentina

Catedral Alta Patagonia

Opening date: June 22nd

While Catedral Alta Patagonia's official opening is in late June, the resort hosted a temporary lift-accessed offering between May 9th and May 11th, thanks to a round of early-season snowfall. Commonly known as Catedral, the resort boasts loads of in-bounds terrain alongside access to the surrounding Bariloche backcountry.

Cerro Castor

Opening date: TBA

Located in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Cerro Castor is the world's southernmost ski resort, perched at the end of South America. Skiing's the subject matter here, but if you've ever wanted to see a Magellanic penguin during a ski vacation, Cerro Castor's the place (no, the penguins don't ski—you'll have to book a guided trip from the nearby town of Ushuaia to Isla Martillo where the flightless birds hang out).

Cerro Chapelco

Opening date: June 22nd

Much of Cerro Chapelco's in-bounds terrain is intermediate-specific, with gnarlier options available to those interested in making backcountry excursions. According to PowderQuest, a global ski guiding company, rain at the base of Cerro Chapelco is common, although the higher-altitude areas tend to stay snowy. Off-slope shenanigans are available in the picturesque San Martín de los Andes, known for its numerous chocolate shops.

Las Leñas

Opening date: TBA

Las Leñas stands above most South American resorts regarding pucker-inducing big mountain terrain. The ski area's lynchpin is the two-seater Marte lift, which, unfortunately, experiences frequent closures due to low visibility or avalanche risk. Catch Marte on the right day, though, and you'll find some of the heaviest lines available south of the equator.

Chile

El Colorado

Opening date: TBA

El Colorado is one of three ski areas in Chile's resort-dense Tres Valles region, joined by Valle Nevado and La Parva. Of the three, El Colorado has plenty of expert, intermediate, and beginner runs alongside terrain park offerings that should satisfy dedicated freestylers.

La Parva

Opening date: TBA

La Parva had a recent spotlight moment when the news broke that it would be absorbed by the Durango-based ski resort conglomerate Mountain Capital Partners (MCP). Specifics of the deal's consequences are forthcoming. Still, MCP Power Pass owners will likely score some days at La Parva in the future. Outside the conglomerate rat race, La Parva is the smallest resort in the Tres Valles but features plenty of terrain and night skiing.

Nevados de Chillán

Opening date: TBA

Nevados de Chillán sits below an active stratovolcano group. This unique trait is complimented by more usual ski resort trappings, including thermal hot spring pools, ample backcountry access, numerous groomed in-bounds runs, and bookable cat skiing.

Portillo

Opening date: June 22nd

If you're a South America-curious Northern Hemisphere skier, you've probably heard of Portillo or, at the very least, seen images of its iconic yellow hotel. The area frequently sees visitation from various pros, including Connery Lundin and Mikaela Shiffrin on the racing side of the spectrum. The smaller resort is geared more towards expert skiers, who'll find loads of adrenal-gland tickling lines.

Valle Nevado

Opening date: June 21st

Valle Nevado borders La Parva and is a fellow member of the MCP family. While the shared futures of the two resorts aren't fully clear yet, MCP managing partner James Coleman has hinted that he hopes to create the world's largest ski area with the already-conjoined resorts. Valle Nevado was constructed and styled after France's Les Arcs in the 1980s and remains a popular South American destination today. Plus, in the future, it could become part of a single, enormous ski area.