Snowfall is insufficient in the Andes Mountains of South America, putting ski resorts at risk of "melting away"

(Santiago News) Despite being in the skiing season, due to the long-term drought and extreme high temperatures, the ski resorts around the Chilean capital Santiago have suffered from a severe lack of snow, with as much as 90% of the ski runs being forced to close.

The authorities have warned that, given that climate change is considered to be one of the causes of this situation, in the long run, this region may need to explore other ways to attract tourists.

CNN reported that the ski season in central Chile typically lasts from mid-June to October each year. It has long been a popular destination for American tourists for skiing during the summer in North America, which has also brought considerable economic benefits to Chile.

According to data from the Chilean Ski Resorts Association, in 2025, Chile's ski resorts welcomed over 1.24 million skiers, generating a direct economic benefit of 283 million US dollars, of which 228 million US dollars came from foreign tourists.

However, due to the drought that affected the country over the past year and led to a decrease in snowfall, Chile's reputation as a skiing destination is now at risk of "melting away".

Zuniga, a meteorologist and spokesperson of the Chilean Meteorological Service, said that the thickness of the snow from the last snowfall on June 21 was only 24 centimeters, which was nearly 60% less than the normal level in the mountainous areas in previous years.

He said, "The trend of climate change indicates that we are actually facing a situation of reduced precipitation. If the rainfall decreases, the amount of snowfall will also decrease."

Nowadays, some ski resorts have to start artificial snow-making, while hotels and restaurants can only do their best to remain optimistic.

The Chilean authorities are currently striving to promote "four-season tourism" to ensure that there are activities in the mountainous areas throughout the year. These activities include natural sightseeing, hiking, wellness activities, and food experiences, all of which do not rely on snowfall.