Ski Portillo, Chile

Portillo, Chile is located about a 2 hour drive into the Andes from Santiago and is on the Chilean-Argentine border.

The lodge itself is at 9500 feet (over 2,800 metres) above sea level which is well above the tree line. At this altitude the air is very dry and guests should make sure to drink plenty of water during their stay. Especially during the first few days.

It's a long flight from origins in North America and Europe but there are non-stop flights from major hubs like Toronto, Atlanta, etc. It's a 9.5 hour flight from Atlanta and Portillo is located in the Eastern Standard Time zone.

From the airport in Santiago there are a couple of options for transport to Portillo. You can take a shuttle bus for about $100 USD or a private van for about $200 plus tip. The private van allows you to leave the airport and start driving to Portillo when you land as opposed to waiting for the set bus departures.

On the slopes:

There are 13 lifts including 3 quads, 1 triple chair, 1 double chair, 3 slingshot lifts, and 5 poma lifts. They are open from 9:00 am to 4:30 or 5:00 pm. Lifts on the "Juncalillo" side of the mountain close at 4:30 and those on the "Plateau" side close at 5:00.

Easy, intermediate, and advanced terrain is groomed nightly but the most difficult terrain is left unpacked. Portillo's terrain is made up of 10% beginner, 35% intermediate, 35% advanced, and 20% expert.

Maximum vertica drop is 2,500 feet (762 metres). The longest run is 1.5 miles (2,880 metres). Altitude at the highest ski point is 10,900 feet (3,322 metres). Average snowfall is 24.7 feet (7.4 metres). And there is an 80% chance of sunny days and great weather.

The Lodge:

There is no town or village in Portillo. Everything is available within the lodge. A great dining room houses all 400 guests for 4 meals a day. This includes breakfast from 8:00 - 10:00 am, two lunch seatings from 12:30 - 2:30, Tea from 5:00 - 6:00, and two dinner seatings from 8:30 - 10:30. The food is exceptional.

There is a great room or lounge with many couches and a coffee bar, a pub, a disco, gift shop, cafeteria for local and day skiers, equipment rental shop, pool, hot tub, gym, spa, sauna, beauty salon, gymnasium, games room, library, cybercafe, cinema (where a Catholic Mass is held on Sundays) and meeting rooms. Tio Bob's is a beautiful high-mountain restaurant that has a deck that overlooks Inca Lake and of course has a great view of the Andes that surround Portillo.

There is also an employee hang-out called La Posada. It's located at the end of Portillo's driveway and guests are welcome to enjoy its typical Chilean fare and Latin music.

There is an onsite travel agency that can assist guests with all travel plans throughout Chile. There is also a heli-ski outfit that services Portillo and provides expert skiers with an even more intimate and high altitude experience.

Portillo does not have TVs in their guest rooms. The idea is for guests to "switch off" and relax, and take part in the many social activities offered throughout the day.

Check out these cool shots