Huge fire at Nevados de Chillan, no injuries reported. Chilean Ski Federation cancels FIS Masters Cup races

News has just emerged of what happened at Nevados de Chillan, one of Chile’s main ski resorts: a huge fire broke out late on Sunday afternoon at the Alto Nevados Hotel and, driven by strong winds at altitude, spread to other facilities in the ski area, which is now facing a genuine emergency. As a result, on Monday morning local time, the Chilean Ski Federation immediately announced the cancellation of the FIS Masters Cup races scheduled from Thursday through Sunday, September 13.

The most important fact is that none of the people initially present at the facility was injured, but local authorities have already stated that the hotel is essentially destroyed, with extensive damage to other resort buildings, including the ski school and equipment rental facility.

One hundred and fifty people, including staff and guests, many of them skiers (including Italians), were evacuated from Alto Nevados and lost their luggage and equipment. They were transferred to another hotel a few kilometres from the slopes, which are currently inaccessible because the access road to Nevados de Chillan has been closed. Meanwhile, the French men’s speed team is expected there next Thursday, arriving directly from La Parva, where they held the first part of their training camp. This is particularly notable given that World Cup athletes, among others, also train on these slopes.