With Access Road Still Closed and More Snow on the Way, Ski Portillo Is Getting Creative

Ski Portillo, Chile, receives about 200 inches (508cm) of snowfall throughout an entire winter season.

200 inches isn’t a lot when compared to North American resorts like Alta Ski Area (500 inches) and Mt. Baker Ski Area (600+ inches), but it’s plenty to typically offer skiing between the end of June and the end of September.

This season has been anything but typical for Ski Portillo.

As of August 3, 2026, the resort has recorded a whopping 274 inches (696cm) of snow, with nearly all of it falling over the last two weeks. One might think that’s been a boon for skiers, but the consequences of such extreme weather have wreaked havoc on operations.

Ski Portillo’s access road is proving to be the most challenging aspect of the storm.

The road from Santiago, Chile, is a winding mountain pass that features more than two dozen hairpin turns. It has not opened since the storm began. The road from Mendoza, Argentina, remains closed as well.

Many skiers and guests have canceled their reservations at Ski Portillo because the resort has been unreachable. However, Portillo revealed that it’s using helicopters to bring guests to and from the resort, and that it’s “hopeful” the road will reopen “soon”.

“The calm between the storms. After 20+ feet of snow, we’ve finally been able to open some terrain and get guests to the hotel via helicopter. The road remains closed, but we hope it reopens soon, and we can all enjoy all this amazing snow,” wrote Ski Portillo in a social media post on August 1, 2026.

Gregorio Cacciuttolo has been working to clear Ski Portillo’s access and is sharing updates on his Instagram account. The road has yet to reopen despite the efforts of Cacciuttolo and others, but conditions have been unprecedented.

Cacciuttolo said in a recent caption (translated from Spanish to English): “It’s amazing; despite working here for so many years, I’ve never seen walls of snow like this—the landscape is truly a marvel. I love my job traveling through the Andes.”

According to OpenSnow, Ski Portillo could receive another 50+ inches of snow between today, August 3, and August 17, 2026. The snow is expected to be consistent, with multiple inches forecasted daily for a two-week span.

Related: Inside the Huge, 100-Plus Inch Blizzard at Ski Portillo