Ski Portillo - Chile's first ski resort
(Tour Report December 2015)
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Perched high in the Andes not far from the Argentina frontier lies South America’s oldest, and one of Chile’s most popular ski resorts, Portillo. Frequented by visitors from around the world, Portillo is used by the Olympic ski teams of the United States and many European nations for summer training. First opened in 1949, Portillo has grown into a world class facility offering skiing for beginners through to experts. It hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships 1966, seeing the emergence of famed French downhiller, Jean-Claude Killy. Now with 35 named runs and 14 lifts, and offering skiing from 3,310m (10,860ft), it boasts some of the best skiing in the Southern Hemisphere. Also offering outstanding apres ski facilities, make Ski Portillo YOUR destination for next season!
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Getting to Portillo is simple. It is located 2 hours drive northeast of Santiago on the route to Mendoza in Argentina. With no towns nearby, Portillo’s exclusive location allows guests the ultimate skiing experience without the crowds (access limited to 450 skiers daily), from late June to early October every year.
During an average season, Portillo receives bountiful amounts of snow with an average of 24.7 feet/year. On the rare occasions when snowfall is low, Portillo has snowmaking equipment on hand to assist. The slopes are groomed on a nightly basis leaving them in perfect condition for skiers the next morning. With the help of the onsite Ski School, beginners can learn to ski or snowboard with one of 35 skiing and snowboarding professionals from 10 different countries. For children aged 4 – 6 there is a Ski School Kids Camp which is designed to introduce youngsters to the world of alpine skiing or snowboarding. |
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Portillo’s slopes also feature both intermediate and advanced trails, and are renowned for their expert runs. The expert runs include the Roca Jack and Condor which are so steep that a special one-of-its-kind lift is required. To challenge your expertise even further you could try the famous Kilometro Lanzado run, home to three speed skiing trial records and where, for the first time, the 200km speed barrier was broken! For the more adventurous out there, Portillo also offers Off-Piste skiing opportunities and Heli-skiing between 1 July and 30 September.
Surely this should be enough to entice the avid skier to make a visit to Portillo! |
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The resort offers packages based on a week-long, Saturday to Saturday basis, or "mini-weeks" of 3 or 4 days. Each Package includes lodging, four meals per day, lift tickets and free access to all the fitness and entertainment facilities. Hotel Portillo is the primary choice of accommodation for most guests – offering 123 cozy and warm guest rooms, each with a view to the snow covered valleys or to the Inca Lake. There is however, accommodation to suit all needs. In addition to the hotel, and just a few steps away is the Octagon Lodge, offering a more economical alternative of lodging. Eight luxury chalets can be booked, for group from 4-8 persons. Guests in the Octagon Lodge and chalets use the Main Hotel for meals and full access to all fitness and entertainment facilities. For the backpacker, there is also the Inca Lodge, just a few steps away from the hotel where small rooms and communal bathrooms are offered.
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As there are no other towns or villages nearby, the resort is totally self-contained and provides all the modern amenities that guests might require during their stay. It is often likened to a cruise ship in the Andes! The features of Hotel Portillo are extensive, ranging from a cinema operating movies every afternoon to Tio Bob’s slopeside restaurant offering barbecued meats and fish, while guests can enjoy the stunning views that surround them.
After a long day out on the slopes most people will be wondering what to do for “apres ski”. For some this begins in the bar for a cocktail or drink before dinner, then partying on in the resort’s disco until the early hours. For others it might be relaxing with a quiet board game amongst friends in the library or receiving a therapeutic massage. Whatever the need, Portillo can offer it! |
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Another experience not to miss is bathing in the outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi on a snowy afternoon. Lying back and contemplating the majestic backdrop of the Andes blanketed in snow, and the Inca Lake glinting in the sunshine, is a truly unforgettable experience. So don’t forget to pack your bathing suit!
To keep the kids entertained there is a games room featuring pool, ping-pong, foosball and even rock climbing. Each afternoon the entertainment team organizes fun activities for kids such as treasure hunts, sports competitions, bread-baking classes and more. At Portillo there is never an opportunity for kids, let alone adults, to say “I’m bored”! Book your next ski season now with Unique Destinations in Portillo! |
Rates (2018 Season): (Rates are per person, for 7 nights (sat - Sat), with all meals, lift tickets, and access to fitness/entertainment facilities)
- Low Season: Jun 23 - 30/Sept 1 - Oct 6 )
- Regular Season: Jun 30 - Jul 7/Jul 28 - Sept 1 ) NB. Ask for dates when kids can ski free!
- High Season: Jul 7 - 28 )
- Hotel Portillo: From US$ 2,050 - 4,300/pers (Low); from US$ 2,700 - 7,600/pers (Reg); from US$ 3,350 - 8,750/pers (Hi)
- Octagon Lodge: From US$ 1,590 - 3,100/pers depending on season and numbers in Lodge (max 4). Kids at reduced rates.
- Inca Lodge: From US$ 1,150 - 1,550/pers depending on season and numbers in Lodge (max 4).
- Chalets: From US$ 5,650 - 14,000/CHALET depending on season (4 and 6 berth options), with EXTRA BED charges for up to 2 more guests per chalet.