Three Mountaineers Die in Avalanche at Closed Ski Portillo Resort in Chile
A group of climbers was swept into Laguna del Inca after entering a restricted area following record-breaking snowfall.
A tragic avalanche at the Ski Portillo resort in Chile resulted in the deaths of three mountaineers on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The incident occurred when a large slab of snow detached, sweeping the group into the waters of Laguna del Inca, a lake located in the heart of the resort. Emergency services, including police, volunteer firefighters, and medical teams, arrived within 10 minutes of the event, successfully rescuing four other individuals from the debris.
The resort, which had officially concluded its winter season on October 11, emphasized that the mountaineers were participating in an unauthorized expedition within a restricted zone. In a formal statement, Ski Portillo highlighted the extreme danger posed by entering closed areas, noting that such actions not only jeopardize the lives of the participants but also place rescue teams in significant peril.
The region has experienced an exceptionally heavy winter, with snowfall reaching 1,254 centimeters—more than double the annual average. Despite the official closure of the resort, the deep snowpack remains a persistent hazard. As spring temperatures begin to rise, experts and resort officials are warning of an increased risk for wet avalanches and rapid snowmelt in the high-mountain environment.
Two of the deceased have been identified as Chilean nationals: 56-year-old Magdalena Acuña Jiménez and 36-year-old Rodrigo Peña Troncoso. Following the recovery efforts, the resort expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with local authorities during the ongoing investigation.
Ski Portillo maintains that it has implemented clear safety measures, including visible signage at the hotel and throughout the slopes, to warn against the dangers of entering restricted areas. These warnings are also prominently displayed on the resort's official website to ensure the public is aware of the risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering.
In light of the tragedy, resort officials issued a stern reminder regarding the necessity of personal responsibility in extreme environments. They stressed that mountaineering requires rigorous preparation, constant assessment of changing conditions, and strict adherence to safety protocols. The resort concluded its statement by emphasizing that no individual experience should ever take precedence over the protection of human life.