Comparison
Las Leñas vs Nevados de Chillán: which has more reliable snow?
Las Leñas or Nevados de Chillán? Natural snow month by month, at the village, mid-mountain and summit, from thirty winters of weather data.
The season at a glance
Each cell is one month: the share of days with 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow at mid-mountain over the last 30 winters, from brown (often thin) to deep blue (snow-sure). Blank means almost none.
The short answer
Both have been snow-sure at mid-mountain in 4 months of the year, but Las Leñas has had the edge more often. Month by month, Las Leñas has the edge in June.
Month by month
June: Las Leñas 21 of 30, Nevados de Chillán 18 of 30 snow-sure winters (86% and 86% of days).
July: Las Leñas 28 of 30, Nevados de Chillán 29 of 30 snow-sure winters (96% and 99% of days).
August: Las Leñas 29 of 30, Nevados de Chillán 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (98% and 100% of days).
September: Las Leñas 30 of 30, Nevados de Chillán 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
October: Las Leñas 29 of 30, Nevados de Chillán 28 of 30 snow-sure winters (98% and 98% of days).
November: Las Leñas 14 of 30, Nevados de Chillán 14 of 30 snow-sure winters (79% and 71% of days).
A snow-sure winter is one where mid-mountain had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on at least 90% of that month’s days.
Height and terrain
Las Leñas and Nevados de Chillán are 228 km apart as the crow flies. Las Leñas first, then Nevados de Chillán: Village 2,240 m against 1,600 m; Mid-mountain 2,835 m against 2,000 m; Summit 3,430 m against 2,400 m.
In August, the village had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 88% of days at Las Leñas and 74% at Nevados de Chillán.
Questions
Which has more reliable snow, Las Leñas or Nevados de Chillán?
Both have been snow-sure at mid-mountain in 4 months of the year, but Las Leñas has had the edge more often. Month by month, Las Leñas has the edge in June.
Which has better snow down to the village, Las Leñas or Nevados de Chillán?
In August, Las Leñas: its village had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on 88% of days, against 74%.
Does this include snowmaking?
No. These are modelled natural snow figures only, from ERA5 weather. Groomed pistes with snowmaking often ski better than this.