Chilean Ski Resorts Suspend 90% of Slopes as Drought Cuts Snowfall Nearly 60%

2 articles · Updated · CNN · Jul 11

Up to 90% of slopes at Santiago-area ski resorts have been shut after a severe snow shortage left much of the Andes bare in midwinter.
Only 24 centimeters fell in the last snowfall on June 21, about 60% below a normal mountain year, with Chile's weather agency linking the shortfall to a yearslong drought and declining precipitation tied to climate change.
Resorts are relying on artificial snow and scaled-back services to salvage the season, even as the sector tries to protect a business that drew more than 1.24 million skiers and generated $283 million in 2025.
Authorities are pushing four-season mountain tourism—such as hiking, wellness and culinary events—to preserve roughly 18,000 ski-season jobs as snow becomes less reliable.
A colder front due Sunday could still bring fresh snow above 2,500 meters, offering limited near-term relief.

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CNN1d ago

Chilean Ski Resorts Suspend 90% of Slopes Amid Severe Snow Shortage and Drought

travel.yahoo.com8h ago

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The Vanishing Andes Snowpack: 2026’s Ski Season Collapse and the Urgent Need for Adaptation in Chile

Overview

In July 2026, the Southern Hemisphere faces a slow start to winter, with many regions struggling to accumulate natural snowfall. Argentina is hit by thin snow cover and widespread ski resort closures, while Chile remains cold but mostly dry, with only a few areas open for skiing. The once-iconic snowy backdrop of Santiago is fading, as snow cover in the Andes has dropped by 5% to 10% each decade. This lack of snow leaves Chilean resorts in a precarious position, highlighting the growing impact of climate change and the urgent need for adaptation in the ski industry.

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