A two-part storm pummels the Andes between Wednesday night June 11, 2025 and Tuesday night June 18, 2025.
Ski Corralco becomes the lone lift-served option during the first pulse when it opens Friday June 13. Most Central-Andes areas stay closed until Valle Nevado & La Parva open June 20, Portillo on June 21, and El Colorado on June 23.
Cerro Catedral in Bariloche spins lifts June 14, but Las Leñas has postponed its ski opening until it gets more base. The result: one compact chase window this weekend (Corralco) and a bigger, broader window timed perfectly with opening days in the Central Andes next week.
Key Points
Good
- Opening-day powder: Resorts north of Santiago launch with 12–20 in of preserved, high-SLR fluff from the departing storm.
- Early first chair: Corralco’s June 13 start delivers 7–10 in of new snow and low crowds.
- Cold temps & low snow levels keep the 14-to-17 SLR blower intact through both waves.
Bad
- Central-Andes lifts closed until 6/20—touring only before then.
- Strong gusts (50–60 mph) in Nevados de Chillán/Corralco during the second pulse may delay upper lifts even after they open (Nevados not slated to start until 6/23).
- Las Leñas still TBA; lifts remain shut despite deep totals.
Daily Storm Forecast
Friday, June 13, 2025 snowfall.
June 13, 2025 — Corralco opening day
Overnight delivers 6–9 in, another inch daytime; SLR around 10. Moderate NW winds early, calming by noon. First turns of the continent—go.
Saturday, June 14, 2025 snowfall.
June 14, 2025- Cerro Catedral opening day
Light refresh (≈2 in), but a deep preseason groomed base plus cold mid-20s temps. Good for corduroy laps; powder seekers stay at Corralco for leftovers.
June 15 and 16, 2025 snowfall.
June 15-16, 2025
Storm’s big second pulse hammers Central Andes with 10–17 in across BOTH 24 hour periods. No lifts yet; consider backcountry only if avalanche conditions allow. Corralco keeps accumulating but expect intermittent wind-holds.
Storm total, June 11-18, 2025.
Regional Details
Araucanía / Southern Chile (Corralco)
The NW flow’s first punch Wednesday night drapes Lonquimay with 8–10 in of moderately dense snow while snow levels crash to 3,600 ft—well below Corralco’s 5,000-ft base. Winds ease from early 40 mph gusts to sub-20 by Friday afternoon, setting up a smooth opening day. The second wave late Saturday could double the base by Monday, but gusts nearing 55 mph may keep the upper Volcán Express on standby. Pick tree-line gullies for shelter.
Bariloche / Northern Patagonia (Cerro Catedral)
Moist SW flow clips the Lake District with lighter totals—roughly 3 inches by Saturday morning—yet Catedral still presses “go” on June 14. Expect firm groomers early, softening where 1–2 in of storm snow fills in. Cold temps (low 20s °F) will keep the surface fast and grippy through the weekend.
Central Andes (Valle Nevado, La Parva, El Colorado, Portillo)
The mid-week shortwave piles up a foot and a half of high-ratio fluff, then a deeper trough reloads Saturday night–Monday, driving storm totals toward two feet on the upper slopes. Because lifts stay dormant until June 20 (or later), this snow will settle into an immaculate spongy base, shielded by persistent sub-freezing highs and minimal sun. Opening-day crowds should find wall-to-wall corduroy laced with soft wind-buff in lee terrain. Portillo’s high bowls catch slightly more moisture, and its June 21 opener aligns with the potential bluebird break behind the trough.
Maule / Ñuble (Nevados de Chillán)
Chillán sees the sheer depth prize—over two feet Sat–Mon, but pays the price in wind (gusts past 60 mph) and denser snow (SLR 7–10). The resort doesn’t plan to open until at least June 23, giving the surface time to bond, but expect wind board up high and great tree skiing once lifts spin.
Mendoza Andes (Las Leñas)
Models scream “jackpot” Sunday–Monday (up to two feet), yet resort management has delayed the lift opening beyond the initially advertised June 14 date due to thin base. Touring is possible, but the area remains closed to lift-served skiing until further notice.
Bottom line:
- This weekend (6/13–6/14): Check out Corralco for the continent’s first chair and legit powder turns.
- Next week (6/20–6/23): be in the Central Andes for opening days—Valle Nevado & La Parva Thursday, Portillo Saturday, El Colorado Monday—each launching directly into 15–25 in of storm-preserved blower. Pack patience for road closures, keep an eye on wind holds, and you’ll score the season’s first true face-shots from lifts.
