The Northern Hemisphere was not alone in confronting record three-digit snow depths during 2026. The Southern Hemisphere ski season experienced an almost identical surge across the high Andes just a few months later.
In July 2026, freeskier reported that over 10 feet of snow slammed South American ski hubs, burying lifts and base facilities under unprecedented depths. Venues like Valle Nevado, Portillo, and surrounding Chilean ranges saw continuous storm cycles sweep through high-alpine terrain. Lift operators spent days unearthing bullwheels and lift lines completely buried in powder.
A follow-up dispatch from POWDER Magazine in late August 2026 noted that storm systems kept reloading over the Andes, consistently dropping multiple feet per cycle. The relentless precipitation rebuilt regional mountain snowpack after years of persistent drought. For high-alpine ski operations, 120 inches provides a rock-solid snow base that lasts deep into the spring. At the same time, it introduces severe avalanche mitigation hurdles, requiring constant artillery shelling and explosive charges to secure fragile slopes before skiers can safely return.
