One of South America’s best known ski resorts is jokingly asking winter sports fans to put an end to their snow dances after an extraordinary week of nonstop snowfall.
On Thursday, July 23, Ski Portillo shared a social media update saying it caught a brief glimpse of blue skies before snow began falling once again. The resort reported an incredible 466 centimeters, or roughly 15 feet, of snow over the previous seven days. It added that only snowflakes remain in the forecast.
The resort ended the post with a playful message asking everyone who has been doing snow dances to stop because staff and guests would like a chance to ski.
“Everyone who was doing snow dances, please stop. We want to ski!” – Ski Portillo
Digging Out From A Historic Storm Cycle
Portillo has spent much of the past week digging out after one of the biggest snowfall events in recent memory. The relentless storms have produced exceptional snow conditions while also creating major operational challenges.
Earlier this week, the resort confirmed it had received approximately 15 feet of snow in just seven days. Images and videos from the mountain showed buildings surrounded by towering snowbanks, heavy equipment clearing roads and lift areas, and ski patrol teams conducting avalanche mitigation before terrain could safely reopen.
Storms of this magnitude can create world class powder conditions, but they also require extensive work to ensure lifts, trails, and mountain access are safe for guests.
More Snow Still On The Way
The weather pattern is not finished yet. The latest forecast for Ski Portillo continues to call for additional snowfall over the next several days, meaning the already impressive snowpack is expected to grow even deeper. Resort operations will continue to depend on weather conditions and ongoing avalanche control efforts.
For skiers planning a trip to Chile this winter, the current season is shaping up to be pretty strong. Once the storms ease and more terrain can safely reopen, visitors could find some of the deepest midwinter conditions anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. Until then, Ski Portillo has one simple request for powder enthusiasts around the world. Save the snow dances for another time because this storm cycle has already delivered more than enough snow.