South America Ski Season 2026: 5 Resorts Open Into October

  • SKI took a deep dive into South American ski resorts’ snow totals and identified 3 ski areas that are extending their seasons, as well as 2 more that are having banner seasons and typically stay open into October.

If you’re still buzzing after hearing news of the first North American snowflakes to fly since last winter—and you can add Mt. Bachelor to that list now, too—listen up: It’s nuking in the Andes. This all rolls up to one thing: The Andes are having a historic ski season, and a handful of South American ski resorts aren’t ready to call it quits just yet.

And why should they? The Andes are having the kind of season skiers dream about: storm after storm, deep snowpack, and enough of the white stuff to ensure coverage into October. Here are the ski areas that have already pushed their closing dates well into next month.

3 Andes Resorts That Have Pushed Back Closing, and 2 to Keep an Eye On

Valle Nevado, Chile

• New closing date: October 18
• Season snowfall: 210 inches

Valle Nevado was already having a banner winter before another storm cycle rolled through the Andes in late August. By then, the resort had recorded more than 17 feet of snow (204 inches/518 centimeters) for the season, with additional snow in the forecast. That bounty prompted the resort to push its closing date all the way to October 18, giving skiers nearly another month of skiing beyond the traditional late-September finish.

And for North American skiers, there’s another reason to put Valle Nevado on the radar: It’s less than two hours from Santiago, making it one of the easier South American resorts to reach for a late-season ski trip.

Ski Portillo, Chile

• New closing date: October 11
• Season snowfall: 369 inches

Portillo has always had a reputation for deep snow and a long season, but this winter has been something else entirely. The resort has received more than 25 feet of snow since mid-July, including a staggering 128 inches during a five-day storm cycle in July. As a result, Portillo has extended its 2026 season into October, with a new closing date of October 11.

For anyone who’s never skied Portillo, there’s perhaps no better excuse to finally make the pilgrimage. The resort is famous for its single-base-lodge setup, dramatic Andes scenery, and lift-accessed terrain that’s decidedly adventurous.

El Colorado, Chile

• New closing date: October 12
• Season snowfall: 292 inches

Another member of Santiago’s famous Tres Valles ski area, El Colorado is also taking advantage of the snow bonanza. The resort announced in late August that it would extend its season from September 27 to October 12 after receiving over 290 inches of snow this winter. That puts El Colorado among the snowiest major resorts in the Andes this season—and means skiers visiting Santiago have multiple options for late-season turns within relatively easy reach of the city.

Corralco, Chile

• Closing date: October 11
• Season snowfall: 160-plus inches

Farther south, Corralco is quietly putting together one of the most impressive snow seasons in South America. As of today (Sept. 3), Snow-Forecast reported more than 160 inches of snow for the season, with a base approaching 10 feet.

Corralco is located on the slopes of Volcán Lonquimay, giving it a setting that looks considerably different from the high alpine terrain around Santiago. It’s also known for its long season; the resort can remain open into late October or even early November during very strong snow years. While it hasn’t generated quite the same headline-making season-extension announcement as Portillo or Valle Nevado, Corralco is one to watch for skiers chasing late-season snow.

Cerro Catedral, Argentina

• Closing date: Early October
• Season Snowfall: 169 inches

Chile isn’t getting all the action. Argentina’s Cerro Catedral, down south near Bariloche, has also had a snowy winter, including a 24-inch storm in late August that temporarily pushed avalanche danger to High.

Catedral’s season is scheduled to run into early October, which is typical for the ski area, but it makes it a viable option for skiers who’ve been slow to pull the trigger. The resort’s proximity to Bariloche also makes it one of South America’s more appealing ski-and-town combinations.