OPENING. South America has launched its winter season this week with snow up to 80cm. This winter, the region is set to unveil four new ski lifts, including Chile's first gondola.

After large snowfalls in Ushuaia and the province of Tierra del Fuego in Argentina at the end of May, authorities were struggling to keep transit routes open. With their heads above the snow again, Argentina’s Caviahue opened last week. Las Lenas, Cerro Castor, the world’s southernmost downhill resort, Catedral Alta Patagonia and Chapelco will follow this weekend.

This August, the Club Andino Ushuaia will host three FIS races at the Francisco Jerman Nordic Ski Area in Argentina.

In Chile, snowfalls from last weekend amount to more than 80cm. Nevados de Chillan opened already last week, and will be followed by Valle Nevado, Portillo and Antillanca this weekend. Part of a 10-year, USD 150 million Master Development Plan, Valle Nevado is opening the very first gondola in Chile. With 70 cabins holding 6 passengers each, the gondola can move 2000 passengers per hour.

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