Portillo (Chile)

The Portillo terrain is divided into three distinct regions as viewed on the trail map: the left, the right and lower terrain. All the advanced terrain is at the upper elevations and serviced by the unique "Slingshot lifts" which are Poma surface lifts for five. This lift was designed for Portillo terrain and is meant to survive an avalanche because it requires only two lift towers, one at the top and another at the bottom. There are no towers in the middle which could be taken out by an avalanche.

The hotel capacity of 450 people and a few other shared housing cabins limits the skier population. You may even feel like you have the lifts and runs all to yourself.

Beginners and Intermediates:

Beginner terrain is at the lower elevations with the easiest near the hotel. The most timid should try "Princesa lift" and move on up to "Las Lomas lift". Intermediate skiers can venture to the lower terrain services by the "Juncalillo lift", conditions permitting.

Advanced Ski Terrain:

The upper terrain is home to the advanced runs. The steepest runs are serviced by the "Slingshot lifts": "Condor" and "Las Vizcachas" on the terrain to the right and the steepest is on the left, "Roca Jack" and "El Caracara".

Tree Runs:

Portillo is above the tree line - no trees.

Mogul Runs:

The terrain is steep enough for the development of moguls but we did not find any run that would qualify as "a mogul run". Perhaps it is because there are so few skiers on the advanced runs.

Hiking Terrain:

With 1,235 acres (500 hectares) of terrain, Portillo is not a large resort by destination resort standards as the lake and rock formations are physical boundaries, limiting the size and growth of the resort. If you traverse past the base of "El Caracara" lift, there are two hike-able patches, "Kilometro Lanzado" and "El Estadio", as marked on the trail map. There you ski what you hike.

Out of Bounds Skiing:

The "Super-C Couloir" is Portillo's one signature chute and it's out of bounds. The journey starts at the top of the "Roca Jack" lift where you continue to hike up to a traverse across the upper ridge to the Super-C Couloir". Check with ski patrol about snow stability as Portillo can have sketchy, avalanche prone back country conditions. The first part from the top of the "Roca Jack" can be skinned and makes up the bulk of the ascent. Crampons may be required later depending on the snow or ice conditions. The most difficult portion of the journey is the traverse at the top where you must traverse the near vertical face with no room for error. This is not a hike for the general public but is an aggressively steep uphill climb for a rewarding run of 5,600 feet (1,706 meters) of vertical. Plan your time accordingly as it is a time consuming hike which will take most of the day to accomplish (be the first on the lift not the last at the end of the day). The couloir is scenic, long and steep as well as wide enough to make it ski-able. The return should take you to the bottom of the "Juncalillo" lift.

• Path Finder
• Sent Productions
• Mountain Journey

Portillo Pros and Cons:

• Pros:
  • Extremely scenic resort nestled in the majestic Andes mountain range.
  • Few people on the mountain and no crowds.
  • Inexpensive lift tickets and good food.
  • Family friendly resort with activities for all.
• Cons:
  • No local town. Closest town has resort access blocked during the night.
  • Hotel Portillo has accommodations by the week and is expensive. Too long for a resort this small.

There are no official terrain parks but this rail and roller feature do exist.

The iconic and defining images of Portillo show the big yellow Portillo Hotel. The hotel and related cabins scattered around the mountain base provide the accommodations for this mountain. There is no additional ski town or village.