South American Ski Resort Plans for Latest Closing Date Ever, Could Overlap With US Resort Openings

by admin in RSS Social News. Posted October 9, 2026

When early November arrives and, weather permitting, the North American ski season gets underway, people will still be riding chairlifts and skiing in Chile.

That’s because after an enormous, often powdery winter, Valle Nevado has announced plans to stay open through November 8, 2026, marking its latest closing date in history.

The decision came after another recent refresh that brought more than 3.5 feet of snow in 48 hours to Valle Nevado. Originally, the resort aimed to close on October 18 after a previous season extension.

In a release, Valle Nevado’s general manager, Dominique Rudloff, called it an “extraordinary season.”

“We opened on June 19, and operating through November 8 will give us 143 days of skiing. It is unprecedented for Valle Nevado to remain open this late in the year,” he said.

The combination of late-season snowfall, the resort’s 9,925-foot elevation, and south-facing terrain helped maintain strong snow coverage well into the Southern Hemisphere spring, according to Valle Nevado.

Valle Nevado, which is owned by the Colorado-based resort group Mountain Capital Partners and accessible with the Power Pass, is known for drawing North American visitors.

But the resort noted that the bonus late-season stretch will be geared towards day visitors, as the mountain hotels have shut down. Other services, like rentals, lockers, ticketing, retail and the clinic, remain open. Five lifts—the Gondola, Andes Express, Prado, Candonga and Vaivén—are expected to spin.

Skiers who’ve already bought a 2027 Valle Nevado Season Pass can use it during the extended 2026 season.

Valle Nevado webcam, October 7, 2026.

Photo: Valle Nevado

Valle Nevado wasn’t the only beneficiary of eye-grabbing snow totals during the austral winter. More than 16 feet of snow slammed another resort near Santiago, Ski Portillo, in a single July storm cycle. That transformed the slopes and opened terrain not usually available, but also contributed to a prolonged access road closure. At the time, one member of the Ski Portillo team said: “I think it’s pretty abnormal for everybody.”

Ski Portillo also extended its season, moving its closing day to October 11.

Will the North American ski season turn out just as epic? Tough to say. But for a preview of how things could shake out, check out these resources below.