June 06, 2015 (Ushuaia, Argentina) – The first significant snowfall of the austral autumn left 40cm of snow in Ushuaia and 70cm on the cross-country trails of the Francisco Jerman Nordic Ski Area and in the Valley of Tierra Mayor. The Club Andino Ushuaia began grooming operations at the Francisco Jerman after intense snowfalls Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24. The CAU hopes to have at least some trails open and groomed as soon as possible for skiers.

First snow in Ushuaia © FIS

The Valley of Tierra Mayor is groomed as part of a wider partnership between the CAU, Argentine governmental authorities, and two private entities, Cerro Castor downhill ski area and Centro Invernal Tierra Mayor

The Ushuaia Loppet’s Pablo Valcheff commented that it’s great to see a relatively early snow in 2015 given that this winter marks the first winter that the event is an official Worldloppet member. Additionally, the Province of Tierra del Fuego as a whole has worked to develop programs to get young people on skis, on the snow, and active in the austral winter. The goal is to continue to improve nordic skiing in what is South America’s best location for the activity.

A regional calendar of events including FIS races is crowned by the Marchablanca and the Ushuaia Loppet which will start off the 2015-16 Worldloppet International Ski Marathon Series.