Sorry, no data for those. I would really like to get some, particularly for Chillan.
The weather pattern in Northen Andes is very diferent from southern Andes.
Some seasons the south gets all the good stuff, and others the north... but Chillan appears to get a "mix" of both patterns...
Well, as I said, I'm not a specialist but I think Chillan gets definitively one of the most reliable snow in the Andes.
If I had to plan a ski trip in advance, my bet would be Chillan in August.
From what I've read in recent years, I'm inclined to agree with the above quote about Chillan having the most reliable lift-served snowfall in the Southern Hemisphere. But it's still not on the level of the best of North America. Last year my impression was that Chillan was marginal until well into August. It is also plagued by frequent closing of key lifts (long Don Rosa? chair) accessing the best terrain due to weather, TISA, etc.
My guess is that Chillan weather/snow is similar to the Kootenay areas along the US/Canada border. But these areas have some of the world's greatest tree skiing for snow days. On those days at Chillan or most places in the Southern Hemisphere you're going to be waiting out the storm before most lifts can operate.
My friend Patrick skied Chillan early September 2007 before meeting us at Portillo. He had a couple of marginal days waiting out weather, then a day and half of good powder with still not all the lifts running. Nonetheless Patrick was way more enthusiastic about Chillan than Portillo or the Valle Nevado Group in terms of terrain as well as snow, so Chillan is definitely on my short list to add to my ski area count, currently 142.
Last year wasn't very good for Chillan, though, they got some nice sking during the season... (especially after august)
I was there in august 2007 and got about 4 feet (at hotel elevation) in my first 4 days.
BUT the storm brought strong winds as well, and avalanches... as you can imagine, most the lifts were closed. And they opened then AFTER 4 DAYS.
I had to stay a couple extra nights to enjoy all that powder...
But Chillan is still one of my favorite resorts in the Andes.
FYI MAR/APR MEI posted today of -.191. Essentially neutral, La Nina is done, at least for now.
Soulskier
Nice shots!!!
Sure "... rainbow is an indicator, it going to be a great season."
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Tony
Your analysis on the weather and patterns are awesome. You got the point. This kind of observations and conclusions are not easy, at least for me. But they are very important to who wishes to go to this places, would get a clue and are a bit afraid of the nowadays "crazy cross-pattern weather".
Thanks Edlam. Keep checking on the blog, we post 6 days a week.
Las Lenas is the worst ski area I've ever been to. It is unfortunate that such a fabulous ski mountain is occupied by a piece of crap like Las Lenas Ski Area (owned by an Indonesian; go figure). When I was there in '05, the lift lines were the worst I've ever seen and the Marte only ran a couple of times. People who had been there the week before said it didn't run at all that week. With the possible exception of the new one, the hotels are dumps. Two of us got diarhea at the Escorpio. The leaking roof didn't bother me nor did the fact that my shower curtain kept falling down; I just kept putting it back up. As for Argentine beef, I'm sure it is good some places but not at Las Lenas. It was absolutely the toughest most tasteless beef I've ever eaten in my life. As for working there, a snow board instructor told me that the living conditions for employees were horrible; sub-human according to him.
I haven't been to Bariloche. Others here can tell you a lot about it. It sounds like it could be worth-while at least once. However, a couple of years ago, when a freind of mine was there, a gondola fell off the cable (TISA factor!). It fell into deep snow and the father and son in it weren't injured.
Portillo was OK; I probably would go there again. If I ever go to South America again, I probably would go back to Nevados de Chillan (formerly Termas de Chillan).
Be advised that on any trip to S A, you will likely experience plenty of agravation. I don't care what anybody says, those people don't really like us but they love our money and they have lots of ways to hustle us for it. If they get out of your way, they expect a tip for it. Also, its common knowledge that Americans get charged 40% more than locals if they go shopping. If you visit the web site for Posada de Faralones, you will find a note about citizens of Chile paying a special price that is determined at the time of registering. That's what that is about. People in Argentina and Chile think that, because we have more than they have, we owe them the difference. When I was at La Parva, the girl in the ticket window refused to sell me the senior ticket because I wasn't a Chilean. Having said all this, I should point out that I did actually meet some decent people down there but basically there's a lot of people who don't like each other, they don't like themselves and they won't like you.
Powderdog, I'm sorry you had a bad experience in South America.
I had the chance to ski both SA and NA and I have to admit that most resorts in SA miss the infrastructure (fast lifts, snowcats, good grooming etc) and the custumer service that you generally find in NA.
BUT, we do have big mountains in SA, and thats what really matters...
Valle Nevado, Portillo and Chillan are very nice places to ski. Maybe Vail or Snowbird are better, but they dont get snow in August.
In my opinion, Chile get things a little more organized than Argentina. But anyway, I skied there with friends from NA, and never heard of any of then being charged more than me, or more than the locals.
Don't generalize, maybe this impression that in South America, people don't like North Americans, that people don't like each other, and that they just want your money, was somehow, in consequence of your attitude.
Well, in Brazil, everybody is welcome, but don't expect any skiing...
Las Leñas has horrible customer service for sure, but if you like chutes and substained pitches, then it can be worth the frustration. The Marte lift is offers some of the best lift served terrain on the planet.
About two teir pricing, it is common throughout Latin America. It isn't to stick it to the foreigners, it is because the local folks have a lot less money.
Powderdog,
I cannot agree with many of your points.
Bad Service? It's true, as less infra-structures is.
But, for sure Ski is an expensive sport all over the world.
Whistler have had two Gondola/lift accidents this season... some kind of TINA factor? C'mon, problems can occur in any place.
I've skied at Bariloche several times and never had experienced any of the problems you did. You can say about the long lines, how the lifts runs slowly, etc. But, lift prices are public, well printed in front of the cash boards, also you'll find it in Internet, etc. The same for rentals, for hotels, restaurants, everything.
And, absolutely I'ts not true that South people don't like the North people. I've skied and talked with several English, American and European people at Bariloche and would say that they aways say are getting a good impression on the SA experience. Despite the problems they are faced to.
Regards,
BTW, Cerro Catedral just announced their lift ticket prices, between US$28 and US$48, depending on the time of season.
Just bought my air ticket!
I'm going with friends to Alta Patagonia, planning on skiing Chapelco and Bariloche in late August (arriving on 17th).
Hope it snows a LOT!!!!
I am going to Portillo this year, anyone actually stayed in Inca Lodge? How about Octogan Lodge? I think the difference is in food, other than one has private bath, the other has public bath. Can some one comment on the food differences?
Jumping in here, I am really thinking about doing the Egan trip in September, what is the typical weather and conditions at that time in Nevado
jackwan1,
I stayed in Octagan Lodge in my first trip to Chile, in 1996 and I was pretty satisfied.
We had 4 meals a day included in our package.
The meals were amazing, they are certainly one of the good points about Portillo, If you are on a diet, go somewhere else...
Finndog,
In September things begin to get warm and sunny in Central Andes, usually the most precipitation falls in late June, July and early August.
If this turn to be a good snow year, and the base is high, early September can be very good.
Late September I'm not so sure
Inca guest eat in the cafateria with the employees, Octogan eat in the hotel with the regular guest. There's a fairly big difference.
I think early September is the best time to go. I would equate it with late March in the western US.
IMO, August is the best month to ski South America.
March is one of the snowiest months in western US (Rockies), and It's usually still cold enough to keep the snow pretty good.
September in Valle Nevado is dryer than August, July and June, and the sun gets really strong once its latitude is similar to San Diego.
Thiago,
I hope you make a great trip, with lots of snow+ good weather+food+wines+friend and ski, of course!
I agree, the early September seems to be the best for SA.
We'll not be able to get there this year. Since we are planing to go to Whistler next season.
Keep us posted!
edlam, Olypmics? OTW- its going to be insanely crowded and a total hassle to/from A/P.
I have spent the last 4 winters in the Andes. I would say September is more reliable weather than August as well as less people.
Thanks a lot, edlam!
I'm already doing my snow dance hoping for a great season.
Well, the best time and the best conditions sure vary from people to people...
I think for me, the best conditions are mid/late winter conditions, when the base is very deep and the days are still cold, keeping the snow quality as good as it gets.
I always got fresh snow in August in the Andes, but the couple times I went in september (only 2 times) I got lots of bluebird skys, and sometimes spring conditions late in the afternoon, not bad at all but ...
Cheers!
So... Lets snow dance people!!! 
Finndog, that's my thoughts - crowd!!! And crowd means people, people everywhere, long lines, no parking lots, full restaurants. I don't dislike people but...
Regards!
A friend of mine stayed in the Inca a couple years ago and said it was OK, but very basic. Two bunk beds and a closet with a bath down the hall. Probably not where you want to stay if you're with family, but if it's just a group of friends and you want to ski your ass off, it sounds pretty sufficient to me. The good news is that they are redoing the bathrooms this year and you can for additional fees (1) block off the room for just two or three people, and (2) eat in the main dining room with the hotel guests. You still get to use the gym, spa, pool and other hotel amenities.
Getting all your meals in the main dining room is an extra 350 per person for the week, but they said you can choose to eat as few or as many meals as you want there (i.e. just dinner every night) - just let them know when you check in and they'll arrange whatever you want.
Quote from Eric Peyota (sp)- I like people but I like them best when their not around me.. With a few exceptions, I concur... :)
So... Lets snow dance people!!! 
Finndog, that's my thoughts - crowd!!! And crowd means people, people everywhere, long lines, no parking lots, full restaurants. I don't dislike people but...
Regards!
Anyone ever worked in one of the resorts in New Zealand or South America?
Anyone ever worked in one of the resorts in New Zealand or South America?
Unless your an instructor, it's just not worth it. You won't make enough money to justify the hassle.
Just save up and go.
Quote from Eric Peyota (sp)- I like people but I like them best when their not around me.. With a few exceptions, I concur... :)
Unless your an instructor, it's just not worth it. You won't make enough money to justify the hassle.
Just save up and go. "
I agree, for you who are normaly geting the pay check in Dollar/Euro... not enough money to justify the hassle. BTW, you can try work some days and enjoy a lot for free!!!
YUM,, malbecs and carne'
