Essential Travel Ski Guides

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Travel to Portillo with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Located to the northeast of Santiago, not far from Chile’s Three Valleys ski region, Portillo ski resort is one of South America’s oldest and finest, offering some of the best sliding on the continent. Boasting beautiful surroundings, the well-groomed slopes are aimed at all levels from beginners up to professional-level skiers and the extensive snow-making facilities here guarantee consistently good ski conditions.

The Portillo ski village is unique and retains its own special ambience, far removed from the world of the burgeoning mass-marketed American and European super resorts; yet it has all the facilities and services seasoned sliders could wish for. The ski school is particularly well renowned and includes an excellent children’s camp. You will also find high quality ski rentals at Portillo as well as a nursery for the kids.

All of Portillo’s slopes are above the tree-line, meaning wide open pistes and masses of off-piste powder. Seventy per cent of Portillo’s slopes are for experienced skiers and the exciting expert slopes are left ungroomed, while the highest lift-served run is a heady 10,898 feet above sea-level and the longest run is a respectable two miles. Twelve ski lifts provide slope access.

The grand 1950s Hotel Portillo provides beds at Portillo ski resort and boasts a stunning location by the lake. Services here are comprehensive and include a gym, heated swimming pool and sauna as well as plenty of après-ski excitement, with its fine restaurants, cinema, bars and disco.

For alternative skiing and snowboarding, Chile’s Three Valleys ski region is located just south of Portillo ski resort and boasts three lift-linked resorts and the most ski-able terrain in South America. The Three Valleys highest resort is Valle Nevado, offering a well-equipped snowpark and lots of off-piste terrain. Away from the slopes, nearby Aconcagua Mountain and Santiago provide alternative entertainment.

Portillo ski resort enjoys its winter season from June to October and discounts are available at the beginning and the end of the season, while minors and seniors also qualify for cheaper rates. Santiago-Benitez International Airport is the main air hub for the region, receiving numerous flights from around the world. It has good transfer services via shuttle bus to Portillo ski resort, while hiring a car is a more convenient option for those staying in Santiago.

Skiing in Portillo

Portillo ski resort is known as the granddaddy of Chile’s and South America’s ski destinations, and it claims to be the continent’s first ski resort. The grooming here is excellent, off-piste exciting, facilities not overdone, accommodation all-encompassing and the surroundings are breathtaking.

Portillo’s skiing terrain is one of chutes, steeps and bowls situated in the wide-open, above the tree-line landscape, while the pisted runs are divided into 10 per cent suitable for beginners, 70 per cent for intermediate and advanced sliders and 20 per cent for experts. The expert Roca de Jack frequently sees speed skiers attempting to break the world record.

You can also enjoy heli-skiing, snowboarding, trekking and ice-skating at Portillo ski resort and the Portillo Hotel’s excellent facilities provide ample relaxation after a hard day’s slog on the slopes. Facilities at the hotel include a heated outdoor swimming pool, sports centre, aerobics classes and saunas, with après-ski offered at the first-class restaurants, bars and disco.

Portillo ski resort village has a magnificent setting high up on a plateau and enjoys a wonderful atmosphere. Resort facilities are good and include an excellent ski school and rental boutiques. The striking yellow Portillo Hotel is Portillo’s accommodation base and it has plentiful rooms, while cheaper lodgings can be found in Santiago.

The best snow of the June to October season at Portillo ski resort is from mid-July to mid-August and if you’re on a budget, avoiding these dates and weekends will save you a lot of money. Taxis and shuttle buses provide direct access to Portillo ski resort from Santiago-Benitez International Airport, while car hire is more practical for people staying in Santiago.

Transportation to Portillo

Located on a plateau 90 miles northeast of the capital of Santiago, Portillo ski resort is accessible by paved road all the way from Santiago. Situated close to the imposing Mount Aconcagua, options for travelling to Portillo from the airport include self-drive and shuttle bus, with shuttle bus being the best option if you are staying in Portillo, while a hiring a car is more practical for people staying in Santiago.

By car from Santiago-Benitez International Airport and the city of Santiago, head north along route 5. About 20 miles from downtown Santiago, join route 57 to Los Andes; International road heads to Portillo ski resort from Los Andes. The total journey time from Santiago is about 2 hours and the use of snow chains during the ski season is obligatory.

Santiago-Benitez International Airport receives many daily direct flights from cities around the world including the United States and Europe, although travellers from London will invariably go via a major US city such as Miami or New York. You will find mini-van shuttles and taxis at the airport ready to take you to Portillo ski resort or the city.

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