Las Leñas, Argentina– A large storm front currently battering southern Chile and Argentina is bringing snow to the Andes from Santiago through Chillán and all the way down to Bariloche, bringing smiles to the faces of southern hemisphere skiers and snowboarders as South American ski resorts are starting to open with good bases and continuing snowfall forecast throughout the week.

“The prize for the first ski resort to open in South America for the winter 2012 season goes to Las Leñas, Argentina,” says David Owen of PowderQuest, a Virginia-based ski tour operator specializing in South American destinations. “It was the first to open yesterday with snow falling throughout most of the day.”

The resort, high in the Argentinean Andes, is waiting for a break in the weather to operate its new Dopplemayr lift, carrying 2,100 more people an hour to its renowned Minerva area.

The closest resort to Santiago, El Colorado, also opened this week with a 70cm base, and its sister ski resort, Farellones, with 50cm. Owen says that the El Colorado team has assured his company that the resort will be 100 percent operational at low season prices this week, weather permitting.

Today marks the start of the season for the big hitter Valle Nevado. With a good 80cm base and fresh snow this week, the Valle Nevado team has high hopes for a big season of skiing in Chile.

La Parva resort has announced that they will partially open this weekend, offering a 25 percent discount on lift tickets to the public.

Just north of Santiago, the stylish Portillo will open some of its terrain on Saturday. While its beginner and intermediate slopes are good, off-piste and expert pistes are still off limits until the team has reviewed the conditions.

“With the snow falling from Santiago, through Chillán and all the way down to Bariloche, the team at PowderQuest is waiting on all the latest updates and expecting a powder-filled start to the shredding season in South America,” says Owen.