Mountain Stats: Portillo Ski Resort
Elevation at Hotel: 9,350 feet
Elevation at Highest Ski Point: 10,859 feet
Vertical Drop: 2,664 feet
Average Snowfall: 20 feet
Longest Run: 2 miles
Chance for Good Weather: 80% sunny days
Total Lifts: 12 (for 450 guests)
2 quads
1 triple
2 doubles
2 va et vient
5 pomas
Distance from Santiago: 102 miles (2 hours)
SKI TERRAIN
Over the past 50 years, Portillo has gained a reputation as the
incomparable place for skiers and boarders.
With the renown snow, they can cater to skiers and snowboarders of all
abilities. 80% of the terrain is carefully groomed on a daily basis,
and the most difficult terrain is natural snow pack. Expert skiers
have access to vast and challenging areas, steep terrain and
exhilarating experiences.
There are plenty of choices at Portillo and all are easy to access and
crowded free. Portillo also allows beginners and intermediate to excel
at their own pace on groomed runs and open bowls.
Beginners
Portillo is an excellent place to learn how to ski or snowboard. With
the help of the Ski School, beginners will find themselves turning
confidently in no time. El Puma, El Corralito, and La Princesa are the
beginners runs.
Beginners - Intermediate
For skiers and boarders who already feel comfortable on the mountain,
they have El Conejo, Las Lomas, Canarios and Bajada del Tren.
Intermediate - Advanced
The Juncalillo run is Portillo's longest and the favorite practice run
site of the U.S. and Austrian ski teams. Jean-Claude Killy won a gold
medal on the Plateau Run, probably the most popular run at the resort.
David's Run, Descenso, Los Zorros, El Estadio offer variety and
excitement.
Expert
Portillo's expert runs are world-renown. The Roca Jack and Condor
runs, so steep they require a special, one-of-its-kind lift; the Upper
Plateau, Garganta; and the famous Kilometro Lanzado, home to three
speed skiing trial records. The 200km speed barrier was broken, for
the first time, here on Portillo's Kilometro Lanzado.
Powder Skiing and Unpacked Runs
Portillo is renown for its powder skiing, and with so few guests
there's no worry that everything will be tracked out by the afternoon
- in fact, powder can last for several days. They do not groom some of
the guests' favorite advanced runs such as Garganta, Condor and Roca
Jack. The guests like these vertical runs as nature leaves them.
Off-Piste Terrain
Using either our Roca Jack or Condor lifts, skiers and snowboarders
can traverse - weather and avalanche risks permitting - to
unbelievable off-piste terrain, such as the steep, powdery Primavera
Run. The ideal way to ski off-piste terrain is to first hire a guide
who can show you the secret spots and powder stashes.
SNOWBOARDING
Portillo hosts snowboarders from all over the world. Fresh powder,
extreme chutes, groomed trails and off-piste terrain are all here,
taking you to the limit.
Still a growing share of our guests, snowboarders keep coming back to
Portillo. Snowboarders are delighted by the terrain's variety, vast
amount of off-piste, and uncrowded lifts.
Also, families with skiers and boarders can enjoy Portillo together in
perfect harmony on runs that vary from beginner to expert on and off
piste.
For skiers who want to give snowboarding a try, they rent boards and
offer classes. This might be the time to give it a try!
OLYMPIC SKI TEAMS AT PORTILLO
Portillo is one of the preferred ski resorts for summer training by
the United States and many European national ski teams (the Austrian
Olympic downhill team trained at Portillo alongside the U.S. men's
downhill in 2001 and 2002). The ski runs, snow, friendliness and
service bring coaches and racers back to Portillo year after year.
National ski teams typically stay at Portillo for the entire month of
August. This is a thrilling experience for the guests, who get to go
back home with stories of skiing alongside some of the best skiers in
the world. A Who's Who of skiing usually visits Portillo each year,
even if they are not officially training.