snowingplaces

Mountain range

Andes

The longest continental mountain range in the world, running the length of South America.

Andes snow forecast

Snow is expected at 4 of 4 places in Andes in the next 7 days.

Most snow in Andes in the next 7 days
RankPlaceSnow in the next 7 daysConfidence
1Las LeñasSki resort, Argentina50–110 cm19–43 inLikely
2PortilloSki resort, Chile30–90 cm11–35 inLikely
3Valle NevadoSki resort, Chile35–55 cm14–21 inLikely
4Cerro CatedralSki resort, Argentina0–30 cm0–12 inPossible

Snow in the Andes

The Andes run the length of South America, and the ski resorts are in the central and Patagonian sections along the Chile-Argentina border. Above Santiago, Valle Nevado, La Parva, El Colorado and Portillo sit between 2,800 m and 3,700 m; in Argentina, Las Leñas in Mendoza province and Cerro Catedral above Bariloche are the main resorts. Aconcagua, at 6,961 m, is the highest mountain outside Asia.

In our record the Andean resorts average about 11 snowy days at mid-mountain in June and 9 to 10 in July and August. The snow arrives in a few large Pacific storms each winter rather than steadily, so seasons vary a lot, and the high, dry central Andes above Santiago see long sunny spells between falls.

When it snows

The season runs from mid-June to late September or early October. July and August are the reliable months. This is the northern hemisphere’s summer, which is why the Andes draw northern race teams and travellers.