Portillo

Introduction to Portillo Skiing

Portillo is embedded in both Ski and Chilean history. It was the first ski resort in Chile and the place where the origins of the Ski World Cup competition were discussed. Today it is a regular destination for many South American families as well as skiers from other countries who come back year after year to enjoy the ambience, skiing and meet friends again.

Suited for all levels of skiers, but offering excellent helicopter, off-piste skiing too.

Portillo ski centre comprises one large hotel (painted yellow on the exterior) with capacity for 400 guests. It is located by the Chilean border into Argentina 61km east from the town of Los Andes, which is itself 78km northeast of Santiago. If driving to Portillo you need to allow, from Santiago, about 2.5hrs. The hotel offers a very welcoming, warm atmosphere with families and regular guests returning year after year.

At the base where the Hotel Portillo is situated the altitude is 2,880m above sea level, and behind the hotel, a little lower, is the Lago del Inca Lake, which is frozen over in the winter. The hotel is set on a small plateau at the base of a natural mountain bowl surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks on all sides, but the skiing is mostly on the mountain slopes on the north and southern sides of the hotel with trails coming to the hotel door, thus permitting a ski out, and in, from the hotel. This natural mountain “bowl” creates a microclimate which is ideal for maintaining good snow.

The atmosphere at Portillo is unique in that it is very much a family, “club style” hotel where families and friends come back to year after year and enjoy the cosy, warm reception from the hotel owners and staff. Guests, be they regulars or newly arriving, with or without children, are made to feel very welcome with an emphasis on relaxing and enjoying their stay.

To support this ethos of overall enjoyment there are many non-ski activities and facilities offered, such as a games room, cinema, internet café, superb restaurant, bar, disco, outdoor heated pool and spa, sauna, massage, shop, beauty-treatment centre and a medical centre.

Portillo Infrastructure

Location: Near the city of Los Andes (61km), Central Chile
Road Distance from Santiago: 139km
Skiing Altitude: 2,510m (8,234ft) to 3,350m (10,990ft)
Vertical Drop: 840m (2,755ft)
Longest Run: 2km (1.5miles)
Pisted Terrain: 35 Runs
20% Beginner, 30% Intermediate, 20% Advanced, 30% Expert
Skiing Area: 500 Hectares
Backcountry Access: Very Good
Heliski: Yes, Bell B3 Helicopter
Historical Seasonal Snow Dump: 6m
Lifts: 14
Chance for Sunny Weather: 80% sunny days
Accommodation: Hotel Portillo, the Octagon Lodge, and the Inca Lodge

Altitude of Hotel: 2,880m above sea level
Hotel Capacity: 400 Guests
Ski School: 1 / Ski Shop: 1 / Small Medical Centre: 1