Cerro Catedral has opened its lifts: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.

Catedral Alta Patagonia, the resort of Bariloche, has opened yesterday. Photo: Diario La Nación. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.

Cerro Catedral has opened its lifts: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.

Cerro Catedral has opened this ski season 2020. Only residents with season pass can ski. This is a pilot scheme for ten days. Catedral is the first resort opening in the region amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the first resort in South America opening!
Ski map Catedral Alta Patagonia. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
Ski map Catedral Alta Patagonia. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
Cerro Catedral, in San Carlos de Bariloche has opened its ski season 2020 only for locals with a season pass. The first day in the mountain in the year (Thursday 23 July) was fresh and sunny, with a depth of 2 m of snow in the summit.
Depending on this trial, the resort will do a bigger opening of its terrain in August and September.
skiing in Cerro Catedral. Archive photo. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
skiing in Cerro Catedral. Archive photo. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
Gustavo Gennuso, major of Bariloche told Télam:
“On one hand, the resort has an important role for Bariloche on jobs. But there are also vital needs as the relationship of mountaineers with the mountain. Those are the ones pushing on opening the mountain to help this activity”.

Second fire at Chapelco Ski Resort within a couple of weeks.

Second fire at Chapelco Ski Resort within a couple of weeks. Ski Map of Chapelco ski resort.

Second fire at Chapelco Ski Resort within a couple of weeks.

The ski resort of Chapelco, in the Lake Region of the Argentine Patagonia, has suffered a second fire within a couple of weeks. The resort located just outside the village of San Martín de los Andes recorded a fire this morning, around 9.30 AM local time, in the equipment rental shop called Austria, located at the entrance of the resort.

Fire of the rental shop Austria in the base of Chapelco, in San Martin de los Andes. Second fire at Chapelco Ski Resort within a couple of weeks.
Fire of the rental shop Austria in the base of Chapelco, in San Martin de los Andes. Second fire at Chapelco Ski Resort within a couple of weeks.

For unknown reasons, the flames consumed in minutes the whole rental shop, while the tourists where running away barefoot. Three groups of firemen went to put the fire out.

A big dense cloud of smoke can be seen from the city, located 5 km from the resort. The skiers and tourists have been posting all day photos and videos on social media.

The fire occurred in the parking lot where the rental shops for picking up and leaving ski and snowboard equipment are located, and the shop called Austria was completely burnt. The firemen where working to avoid the fire to spread out.

Continue reading “Second fire at Chapelco Ski Resort within a couple of weeks.”

This past Saturday Cerro Catedral started its ski season

Catedral Alta Patagonia, Bariloche - Trail Map. This past Saturday Cerro Catedral started its ski season.

This past Saturday Cerro Catedral started its ski season. The mountain resort has its name for having a shape similar to a cathedral.

The resort, located on the lake region of Patagonia, just outside the town of San Carlos de Bariloche, opened its ski season full of snow, looking marvellous.

There are 60 cm at the top of the mountain and 30 cm at the base area.

Skiers and riders can find open the Sextuple chairlift, Punta Nevada and Lynch. Also are open, the Magic Carpet 3 and 4 of the Play Park for beginners.

During the week the rest of the lifts will be opening gradually. For the people just going up the mountain the Cable Carril, the Lynch chairlift and cablecar Amancay will be operating.

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South America Long Range Forecast by SnowForecast

South America Long Range Forecast by SnowForecast.com. Photo Las Leñas ski resort.

South America Long Range Forecast by SnowForecast

SOUTH AMERICA Long Range Weather Outlook
Meteorologist Christopher Manly from SnowForecast.com sends us this report.

After some heavy snowfalls from the current and expected low pressure system this past Wednesday and Thursday (June 26 – 27)

SnowForecast.com Screenshot of 25 June 2019. South America Long Range Forecast by SnowForecast.com.
SnowForecast.com Screenshot of 25 June 2019. South America Long Range Forecast by SnowForecast.com.

This weekend ending 30 June, we expect a couple of weaker low pressure systems to move through, with snow showers for all resort areas north to Santiago, heavier just south of Santiago including Cerro Bayo Resort in Argentina, as a couple of low pressure systems move through.

Continue reading “South America Long Range Forecast by SnowForecast”

Today opens Chapelco #AbreChapelco.

Chapelco ski map. Today opens Chapelco #AbreChapelco.

Today opens Chapelco #AbreChapelco.

Chapelco Ski Resort is opening the winter ski season in Cerro Chapelco. Starting this morning at 9.30 AM the following ski lifts have opened: Telecabina, silla 36, magic carpet 1600, Silla Graeff, T-Bar and Filo. As soon as snow conditions allow it, the other sectors of the mountain will open.

Ski and Snowboard School, Kids nursery and kindergarden will be opened, as well as the equipment and clothing rental at the base area. The mountain restaurants Torino Winter Point, Patagonia Truck, the Base restaurant, the Riche Patagonia Chocolate Store, Antulauquen and the Casita del Bosque (little house in the forest) will be opened.

Today opens Chapelco #AbreChapelco.
Today opens Chapelco #AbreChapelco.

The snow sledging pulled by huskies will be operating, the snowshoeing circuits open and backcountry, as well as the rental of snowmobiles. Chapelco Fotos (Photo company) will also be operational.

CHAPELCO AND JUAN CRUZ ADROGUÉ AWARDED IN THE WORLD SKI AWARDS 2018

The Argentinean snow entrepreneur Juan Cruz Adrogué received the “Monumental Contribution to Ski Tourism” award in Austria as part of the 2018 World Ski Awards. Chapelco Ski Resort was the winner for the third time of the “Best Ski Resort in Argentina” award ”

Juan Cruz Adrogue of Chapelco receives his award for a Monumental Contribution to the Ski Tourism at the World Ski Awards. Photo: World Ski Awards & Cerro Chapelco. Today opens Chapelco #AbreChapelco.
Juan Cruz Adrogue of Chapelco receives his award for a Monumental Contribution to the Ski Tourism at the World Ski Awards. Photo: World Ski Awards & Cerro Chapelco. Today opens Chapelco #AbreChapelco.

The Academy of the World Ski Awards gave it special recognition for its monumental contribution to ski tourism as part of the sixth edition of the World Ski Awards, the Oscars of skiing, which were held at the gala on November 17, 2018 in the city Kitzbühel, Austria.

Continue reading “Today opens Chapelco #AbreChapelco.”

Does the snow in the Northern Hemisphere correlates with the Southern Hemisphere?

Does the snow in the Northern Hemisphere correlates with the Southern Hemisphere? Photo: Valle de Las Leñas in Mendoza, Argentina.

Does the snow in the Northern Hemisphere correlates with the Southern Hemisphere?

As the snow season is to start in South America, we who are born and bred there – (not necessarilly all living there anymore, but many of my friends are doing double seaason- in Chile or Argentina and then Aspen or Vail usually), always tend to think that the snow in the Northern Hemisphere is correlated with the snow in the Southern Hemisphere, mostly when the season is going to start down under.

Summer what Summer?

In Southamerica, specifically in Chile there is a saying: “Abril lluvias mil” that can be translated as: “in April we will have lots of rain”, but this has changed over the last 10 years or so.

There have been lots of Aprils without any rain in the cities, and no snow up in the mountains.
In the High Andes, due to the rocky formation of the mountains, you need a good month of natural snow to cover well all the mountain. Lately, all ski areas have been proactive and started installing snowmaking cannons and guns as Mother Nature is not reliable.

Valle Nevado picture on 14 June. Does the snow in the Northern Hemisphere correlates with the Southern Hemisphere?
Valle Nevado picture on 14 June. Does the snow in the Northern Hemisphere correlates with the Southern Hemisphere?

Chile had the driest start of the year from January to May so far in the last six decades. If there is no rain, there is no snow. There is a front coming now, not sure how much will leave at the high Andes and how much at the lower ones – Accuweather does not show too much in this respect.

Snow-Forecast is a bit more optimistic! I As per Snow-Forecast, Las Leñas has received 42 cm in the past week and is expecting 19 more cm in the next three days. Others that benefited are Puma Lodge with 59 cm, Nevados de Chillan with 56 cm, Corralco with 55 cm and Villarrica-Pucón with 47 cm. Antillanca also got 32 cm, Volcan Osorno 30 cm, Caviahue, in Argentina got 19 cm, Catedral 16 cm and Valle Nevado 16 cm.

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A new ski resort project for Malargüe, Mendoza Province

Photo: Valle de los Molles, in the same department of Malargue, but more near Las Leñas ski resort.

A new ski resort project for Malargüe, Mendoza Province in Argentina.

From Sitio Andino

A new ski resort project in Malargue will be located in the area of ​​Baños de El Azufre (Sulfur), in the Valenzuela River Valley, on Provincial Route 226 that leads towards the Planchón Vergara International Pass. The resort will consist of a mountain village with two thousand beds and six means of elevation. The place chosen by the investors guarantees five months of snow, with a base at two thousand four hundred meters above sea level, and a summit at four thousand meters.

A new ski resort project for Malargüe, Province of Mendoza, Argentina
A new ski resort project for Malargüe, Province of Mendoza, Argentina

José Beccar Varela, one of the investment partners said that the idea “is in a project phase, and they have the property title to be able to invest.”

“Meanwhile we continue to study the terrain,” and advance research on snow behaviour related avalanches, considering that the settlement of a mountain village is projected, and choose the exact location for the location.

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Cerro Bayo to create a new chairlift departure at 1400 meters

Cerro Bayo gondola - Photo courtesy of Roberto Thostrup- Cerro Bayo. Cerro Bayo to create a new chairlift departure at 1400 meters.

Cerro Bayo to create a new chairlift departure at 1400 meters

Cerro Bayo in Villa La Angostura, Neuquén province in the Lake Region of Argentina, is to create a new chairlift departure, 100 meters higher than were it was before, now at 1,400 meters.

Excavating the ground to place the new start of the quad chairlift. Photo courtesy of Roberto Thostrup- Cerro Bayo. Cerro Bayo to create a new chairlift departure at 1400 meters.
Excavating the ground to place the new start of the quad chairlift. Photo courtesy of Roberto Thostrup- Cerro Bayo. Cerro Bayo to create a new chairlift departure at 1400 meters.

This is due to the snow line getting higher over the years (the snow line is the linw from where the snow naturally falls each season). This chairlift is a double chairlift, that, even it is not new, it will modernise the area and give more uphill capacity, specially to the younger skiers. In this way, the resort of Cerro Bayo can secure the use of this ski circuit area at the end of its ski season in the month of September.

The ski season in Cerro Bayo goes from June 23rd to September 23rd, if snow conditions allow. Cerro Bayo is known as a boutique resort, with amazing views of the Lago Nahuel Huapi and proximity to Villa La Angostura, one of the more exclusive areas of the Lake Region in Patagonia with lovely hotels, cabins and gourmet restaurants. Close to the San Carlos de Bariloche airport, this small resort is for the discerning client that want something great for their families and something exclusive as well.

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Due to a slow season Las Leñas and Portillo are closing their seasons one month early.

Las Leñas, Cenidor, a black short steep piste in Las Leñas connecting the two sectors of the mountain. .

This winter season in the Southern Hemisphere in Argentina & Chile has been weird. Unfortunately for some of the resorts of the High Andes, the season has not been good. This is the case for Las Leñas in Argentina and Portillo in Chile. Valle Nevado seems to have a better snow base – maybe due to its altitude, as today was having all lifts opened but one, and only 9 pistes and the boarder cross park are closed.

Las Leñas view from the Piramide shopping center - 6th September 2018.
Las Leñas view from the Piramide shopping center – 6th September 2018.

More in the south, Chapelco and Bariloche seemed to have got better luck and got snow.

Continue reading “Due to a slow season Las Leñas and Portillo are closing their seasons one month early.”

Chapelco opened the ski season 2018.

Las Pendientes lodge by the side of Chapelco ski resort, great little place where to stay at Chapelco.

Ski trails opened between the 1250 and 1700 cotes. Chapelco is expecting big snowfalls in the next days now that they opened their ski season 2018.

Chapelco has opened its ski season 2018 with a classic winter day of fog and bad weather, the ski resort has opened its Cablecar, the Chairlift Graeff, the Chairlift 63 and the Chairlift Rancho Grande with 1000 visitors to enjoy the snow in the trails that go from Plataforma 1700 until the base of the chairlift Rancho Grande at 1250 m approximately.

Chapelco - Patagonia, Argentina.
Chapelco – Patagonia, Argentina.

With a temperature of 2 C, moderate winds and little visibility, Chapelco offered 35 cm of compact snow in its Platform 1600. All areas of Ski and Snowboard School, Nursery and Snow Kindergarden, dog sledges, snow shoes and snowmobile were open to the public. The equipment rental in the base of Chapelco and the photo service received as well the first visitants. All the mountain restaurants opened their doors and showed the World Cup games on big Led screens on HD.

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