This summer ski destination in the Andes isn’t getting enough snow
Andes Ski Haven Faces Unprecedented Snow Deficit Amid Climate Shift
This summer ski destination in the Andes – Chile’s capital city, once celebrated for its breathtaking winter vistas with snow-capped peaks framing the urban landscape, now finds itself confronting an environmental challenge that threatens its seasonal tourism economy. A prolonged drought gripping the nation has created such a severe snow shortage that major ski facilities within the metropolitan zone have been forced to close as much as ninety percent of their available slopes. This troubling situation, according to the Chilean Ski Resorts Association, has fundamentally altered what visitors once considered a reliable winter experience.
Economic Stakes and Visitor Numbers
The financial implications of this snow crisis extend far beyond the ski slopes themselves. During 2025, the region’s mountain resorts attracted over one million two hundred forty thousand skiers, generating a substantial direct economic contribution of two hundred eighty-three million dollars. Foreign visitors accounted for two hundred twenty-eight million of that total, demonstrating the international appeal of Chilean winter sports. However, this reputation built over decades now faces the possibility of erosion as conditions continue to deteriorate.
The southern hemisphere nation, where winter arrives between June and August, has traditionally served as an attractive alternative for American travelers seeking skiing opportunities during the North American summer months. This seasonal cross-hemisphere tourism pattern has proven highly lucrative, but its sustainability depends heavily on consistent snowfall patterns that are increasingly unpredictable.
Climate Indicators and Meteorological Concerns
Experts point to climate change as a significant contributing factor to the region’s declining snowfall. Arnaldo Zúñiga, a meteorologist and official spokesperson for Chile’s Meteorological Directorate, emphasized the unusual nature of current conditions.
It is not normal. We are very much behind,
he explained to CNN reporters covering the developing situation.
The most recent precipitation event on June twenty-first delivered only twenty-four centimeters of snow accumulation, representing nearly a sixty percent deficit compared to typical mountain conditions. Zúñiga provided additional context regarding long-term projections:
Unfortunately, the trends that mark climate change indicate that we are indeed headed for a decrease in precipitation. And if it rains less, less snow also falls,
he cautioned observers.
Adaptation Strategies and Future Outlook
Despite the challenging circumstances, the ski industry has not remained passive. Facilities have increasingly turned to artificial snow production to maintain operations. ACESKI president Michael Leatherbee highlighted the organization’s proactive approach:
Over the last 15 years we have invested in systems and technologies to make snow,
he noted.
You can take ski lessons, take the panoramic chairlift, arrive at a restaurant halfway up the mountain. All the things that are normally offered in winter, today you can do them, just in smaller amounts.
Government officials are simultaneously pursuing broader tourism diversification. María Paz Lagos, Chile’s Undersecretary of Tourism, articulated a vision for year-round mountain activity.
Four-season tourism, where there is activity in the mountains throughout the year,
she described as the strategic direction. Potential offerings include nature excursions, hiking trails, wellness programs, and culinary festivals—activities that function independently of snow conditions.
Just the ski season alone generates about 18,000 jobs, and we want that contribution to the development of the regions to continue growing,
Lagos emphasized.
Looking ahead, meteorologists offer cautious optimism. A weather system approaching from the southern direction promises potential relief for at least portions of the mountain range.
This front begins on Sunday and is colder. I think we can have high hopes that, while it will rain initially, we could then get snow in the higher sectors, above 2,500 meters,
Zúñiga concluded, suggesting that temporary improvement may be on the horizon for Chile’s beloved ski destination.
