Unofficial Andes

Overview
If you are planning on a short one week ski trip to South America, Portillo is a great option. It has been said before but it is worth saying again, the experience at Portillo is like that of a cruise ships that’s has been permanently docked in the Andes. Portillo is located on Chilean/Argentinean boarder two hours outside of Santiago, Chile. The drive from Santiago to Portillo provides for some unbelievable views of the Andes but the road will often be inaccessible during and after winter storms keeping you from the hotel for days. Portillo allows day skiing but most guest come and stay for an all inclusive week at the hotel. The package includes lodging, lift tickets and four meals a day. For travelers on a budget the Inca lodge, located 30 feet from the hotel, is a great option. Weekly rates range between $500-650 and included a ski pass, 4 meals in the hotel cafeteria and access to all the hotels facilities.

Stats

• Lifts: 12 ( 5 chair lifts 7 surface lifts )
• Elevation: 7,700 – 10,204 ft
• Vertical Drop: 2501 ft
• Acres: 801
• Trails: 34
• Season: June - October

Terrain
The terrain at Protillo is not very extensive but offers a great variety of runs. The majority of aggressive terrain is accessed by unique slingshot pull lifts that drag up 5 skiers at a time. These three slingshots are spread out across the resort which is only about 800 acres. The major highlights of the resort are Lake Run (a fantastic run that extends from top to bottom but is only open when the lake is frozen over) and  Super C (5,000 vertical foot chute accessed by a very difficult 4 hour hike)

Transportation
Most guest of Portillo come for a one week stay arriving in Santiago and take the Portillo shuttle or catch a ride from Siktotal. If you are coming from Argentina the best jump off point is Mendoza. Buses run from Mendoza and take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours depending on the boarder crossing and weather.

Nightlife
The nightlife at Portillo depends largely on your fellow guests that week. Because Portillo is so isolated there are only three real nightlife options, all of which are within the hotel complex. The first being a proper bar with a cozy feel and live music a few nights out of the week. Drinks are expensive and the bar cater to the hotel guest and not so much the Inca guests. In the basement of the hotel their is a small “nightclub”. In reality its just two rooms with some disco light but on the last night of the week it fills up and gives you your last chance to close the deal with that skibunny you were eying all week. If you are looking to party you might get lucky and have some cool guests staying at the hotel that week but don’t count on it. If you happen to land on a lame week try La Pasada, the employ bar across the road from the hotel. The beer and wine is cheap and the people are very friendly.

Links

Official Website

Siktotal

Photos

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