portillo ski resort hotel

Ski Portillo Chile: 2024 Hotel Portillo + Ski Resort Vacation Guide

Our detailed ski destination guide to Portillo Ski Resort will teach you everything you need to know about snowboarding and skiing Portillo Chile in 2024.

Quickly learn how to book Portillo hotels including the legendary Hotel Portillo or more budget minded Inca and Octagon Lodge. You’ll find the best prices on all the top Portillo hotel ski vacation packages.

Dig deeper into our detailed updates where you’ll discover what to expect, best time to go, snow conditions, how to get there and much more.

If a Portillo ski trip is in your summer vacation plans, you are in the right place. Let’s drop right in.

Chapter 1

Welcome to Portillo Ski Resort:
A Chilean Icon 2 Miles Above The Pacific

Ski Portillo, famous for its sunny yellow hotel and location perched above the stunning Inca Lake high up in the Andes mountains, will celebrate its 75th Anniversary in 2024 as one of the world’s most iconic and well-loved ski resorts.

The ski resort and Hotel Portillo are located roughly 100 miles northeast of Santiago via car. Offered as a multi-day, vacation package-based resort with a maximum of only 450 guests, ski slopes are uncrowded and lift lines non-existent.

What makes Portillo especially likable is its exclusive resort experience and the camaraderie that develops over days between guests. You will find that there aren´t enough hours in the day to take part in all of the activities offered both on and off the mountain!

Hotel Portillo has never lost its old-world ambiance, with its leather-paneled bar, its grand dining room staffed by a fleet of red-clad waiters, and its antique living room that opens toward a wall of panoramic windows facing one of the most spectacular alpine views of any ski resort, anywhere.

breakfast at Hotel Portillo

The resort is owned by the American-Chilean Purcell family, who for decades have seen many a VIP pass through the hotel’s halls, from World Cup winners to super models and other characters you’d seemingly only meet at Portillo.

 Many of the world’s top skiers including World Cup teams come to train and ski Portillo every summer. In 2023, Mikaela Shiffrin spent most of the summer season training in Portillo and mingling with the hotel guests.

For 2024, depending on snow conditions, Portillo’s ski season is scheduled to operate from June 22 until September 28.

Chapter 2

Portillo Hotels and Ski Vacation Packages

Limited Time Offers for 2024

Book a 7-night Hotel Portillo ski holiday package with PowderQuest and we will pay for your shuttle round trip from the airport to the resort!
Plus, book before 12/28/23 to secure 2023 rates for the 2024 season.

Book Now!

Portillo Holiday Package Inclusions

Snowboard and ski vacation packages to Portillo include: 

Portillo Mini Week stays of 3 to 4 nights are limited with select dates. We highly suggest booking these in advance.
Children under 4 stay for free. During certain periods, kids ages 4-11 stay free when lodging with an adult. 

Portillo Hotels

We offer you 3 lodging options for your accommodations in Portillo. From stylish Hotel Portillo to budget bare-bones options for the ski bum.

Hotel Portillo

The famous Hotel Portillo is ski-in, ski-out, with options from simple twin share rooms to suites with panoramic views of the Andes. Family apartments are also available.

Lake view rooms boast spectacular vistas across the Inca Lagoon. Valley rooms, as the name indicates, face across the parking area into the valley. All rooms have recently been renovated with a clean, sophisticated décor.

Low season starting at $379/night
Regular season starting at $550/night
High season starting at $650/night
per person based on double room, private bath, min. 3 nights

Octagon Lodge

This comfortable bunk-style ski lodge is popular with groups of friends (2-4) who are unfussy and looking for a cozy, economical option with a private bathroom. The hotel is only a 30-second walk across snow to the main hotel and is for all intents and purposes ski-in, ski-out. Dining is in the Hotel Portillo’s main dining room.

Low season starting at $257/night
Regular season starting at $321/night
High season starting at $343/night
per person based on 4 person room, private bath. min. 3 nights

Inca Lodge

This is Portillo’s version of a backpacker hostel, frequented by budget travelers and younger skiers and riders. The bare-bones rooms are very small, much like a ship, and are fitted with two bunks for a total of 4 beds. The bathroom is communal, and meals are taken at the self-service cafeteria, not the main hotel restaurant.

Low season starting at $193/night
Regular season starting at $207/night
High season starting at $221/night
per person based on four guests per room, shared bath, min. 3 nights

Chapter 3

Portillo's Skiable Terrain:
What to Expect at Chile's Steepest Ski Resort

powder skiing portillo resort

Home to one of the few ski lifts in the world that is just as much of an adrenaline rush riding up, as it is skiing down. You have to experience Portillo's Roca Jack!

The terrain at Portillo, while smaller than other Chile ski resorts, is above tree line and wide-open, and so steep in many parts that surface lifts (called va et vient) were specially developed to avoid being taken out by avalanches.

Like all Chile’s Central Region ski resorts, Portillo is entirely above tree line and skis larger than it first looks due to its wide-open terrain and altitude, which can at first warp your perception of the resort’s size.

This said, Portillo is smaller than most North American resorts, and while expert skiers can find enough to keep them pumped all week, beginners and intermediates have less on offer.

Terrain – Freestyle

Unlike Valle Nevado resort to the south, Portillo ski area does not have a terrain park, but the resort does offer some fun natural features to hit throughout. 

Terrain – Experts

The resort’s advanced and expert ski runs are legendary. Skiers and snowboarders can reach steep terrain directly via a lift, or traverse to runs such as the powdery Primavera Run or the Lake Run, the latter requiring a return trip traversing along the lake shore or, if frozen, across the lake itself.

The run known as Kilometro Lanzado is where the 200km speed barrier was first broken by Steve McKinney.

When it snows, the ski patrol normally leaves a few of its most popular runs, including Garganta and Condor ungroomed so skiers can lap multiple powder runs.

Off-piste and challenging backcountry areas include hiking the “Super C” (read more in chapter 8) and other steep chutes above the Inca Lake.

Portillo Heliskiing

Heli-skiing in Portillo is booked directly from the resort, led by seasoned, qualified guides. If you have the budget, we recommend considering at least a half-day heli-skiing, for the rugged Andean views as much as the incredible powder you’ll be talking about for weeks to come. Book directly at the resort.

Note for snowboarders: Snowboarding in Portillo is better suited for advanced freeriders than those looking for easily accessed groomed runs or a terrain park (there is no park at Portillo). Traversing on this mountain is more difficult for snowboarders due to distance and exposed rocks that can hinder a traverse, also the return trip from the Lake Run along a narrow path or over the lake itself can be challenging and exhausting.

portillo chile ski school

Terrain – Intermediates & Beginners

There are well-groomed runs for skiers and snowboarders at the advanced-intermediate and beginner levels, including El Conejo, Las Lomas, Canarios, Juncalillo, Bajada del Tren and El Gaucho.

World Class Ski School

We recommend signing up for a ski class or private lessons and taking advantage of the resort’s world-renowned ski school to hone your skills. Some of the planets best instructors work in Portillo from July to September.

Kids will love the ski camps and private lessons. Some of the top ski instructors from around the planet migrate to Portillo each season to teach.

What to do if not skiing

Non-skiers can certainly find enough to do over a a few days, but a lack of an actual town and fewer amenities and walking areas than other South American resorts mean there is a lot less to do at Portillo for a non-skier than at a typical North American or European ski resort.

A gift shop, spa and fitness center, yoga, hair salon, outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, cinema and snowshoe rentals are the main activities here beyond skiing and dining. The socializing scene here is a lot of fun and you are sure to meet a lot of great people during your stay.

Chapter 4

Weather and Snow Conditions

portillo snow conditions
Chris Davenport checking out the fresh Portillo snow. Photo: Adam Clark

Due to elevation and geographic location, Portillo receives very dry snow. While not nearly as consistent as the legendary Japow of Japan, on a good powder day you will be blessed with some serious blower pow conditions.

For updated weather conditions and snow reports in Portillo, including the state of the road opening/closing use the following resources:

  • Portillo webcam
  • Road conditions and updated snow reports call the Hotel Portillo directly (56-2) 2361-7000
  • If you plan on crossing over to Argentina via the nearby Paso Los Libertadores, updated pass conditions are updated in Spanish on X (Twitter)
  • For snow updates, pictures and videos during the season (July-September) follow Portillo and PowderQuest on Instagram

This Weeks Snow Forecast for Portillo

 

New Snow Fall

For new snow accumulation estimates over the next 12hrs, 24hrs, 3-5 days and long term 10 day forecast use the Windy Portillo map widget:

Expanded Snow Making

Portillo has invested US$ 3.5 Million dollars in an expanded snowmaking system. 25 new snow machines provide snow coverage to 25 acres of skiable terrain. They claim to have purchased one of the most environmentally friendly snow making systems available on the market today.

Chapter 5

Latest Resort Statistics and Trail Map

Location: 102 miles (160 km) from Santiago near the Los Libertadores Pass to Argentina
Elevation: 2,510m (8,240ft) to 3,350m (10,985ft)
Vertical Drop: 835m (2,745ft)
Inbound Terrain: 36 Runs
15% Beginner, 30% Intermediate, 30% Advanced, 25% Expert
Ski Lifts: 14
Hotels and Lodging: Hotel Portillo, Octagon Lodge, and Inca Lodge 
Off-Piste and Backcountry Access: Very Good
Heli-ski: Yes, Bell B3 Helicopter. Priority goes to Portillo hotel guests
Average Annual Snowfall: 296 inches (740 cms)
Weather: 80% sunny days and generally dry powder due to elevation
Ski Season: July to early October
Ski and Snowboard Park: No
Night Life: 2 bars and a disco open nightly

Chapter 6

How to Get to Portillo, Chile

The Portillo resort is 102 miles from Santiago (164km) and is situated high in the craggy Andes in the vicinity of Cerro Aconcagua, a mere 3 miles (5 km) from the Argentine border. The resort can be reached in 2 1/2 hours via a modern highway, followed by a progression of switchbacks frequented by long-haul truckers carrying goods to Argentina and beyond. The closest town is Los Andes at 40 miles (63 km) to the west. The road will shut during heavy snowstorms, so be prepared for this.

Arriving Via Private vehicle service: PowderQuest includes private shuttles with professional drivers from both the airport or your hotel in Santiago when booking a 3- to 7-night stay with us to Portillo. 

By Bus: The most economical way to get to Portillo is via bus. There are several services offered from Santiago and Los Andes in Chile and from Mendoza in Argentina. A bit of a travel hack ia involved and speaking Spanish really helps. Basically there is not direct bus service to Portillo. You need to purchase a bus ticket from Santiago to Mendoza or vice versa followed by making sure the driver is willing to stop and let you off on the highway in front of the resort. Try Turbus, Andesmar or Cata Internacional at the main bus station in Santiago or Mendoza.

Rent a car: If renting a car, remember that your vehicle will sit in the parking lot for several nights or a week, so it may not be worth it. If you are visiting several areas during your stay or plan to continue on to Mendoza, Argentina then a rental might make sense. Just keep in mind gas is expensive, the roads are not easy, and you will need to carry snow chains, even during a dry period.

Helicopter: Helicopter service to Portillo is the fastest way to get to the resort, however you’ll need to send your luggage up the mountain in a vehicle. Heli service leaves from the Santiago airport and a few rooftop landing pads in Santiago. When booking a Portillo package with PowderQuest we can arrange this private service.

portillo chile ski packages
The famous road to Portillo, Chile

Chapter 7

Day Trips to Ski Portillo

2½ hours from Santiago, Portillo can be skied for the day if you plan to leave very early and return late to avoid traffic during rush hour in Santiago.

Travelers can rent their own vehicle and drive to the resort, keeping in mind that weather conditions can significantly increase the amount of driving time.  When snowing, the carabineros (police) at the base of the road to Portillo will require that you carry chains. It is always smart to call ahead to check road conditions and potential closures. Once you pass the police checkpoint, there is a toll plaza; let them know that you are going to ski Portillo to avoid having to pay the toll.

Snowboard and Ski Rentals

Portillo rents high-quality ski and snowboard gear at the resort for hotel guests as well as day visitors. High quality tunes and waxes are available as well.

Portillo Day Lift Tickets

Lift tickets average (according to exchange rates) USD $75 for adults during high season (weekends, holidays, and dates between early July and mid August); and USD $55 for adults during low season. We update lift ticket rates here.

Chapter 8

Skiing the Legendary "Super C" Couloir

The legendary Super C is one of the world’s greatest couloirs, accessed by a heart-pounding and often grueling hike to access a steep, aesthetically beautiful, rock-walled powder run that ends on a wide-open apron. The reward? 5,200 vertical feet of steep skiing.

A decade ago, the Super C was only known (and climbed) by a handful of big-name skiers and snowboarders and others who consider the Super C to be one of the skiing world’s most iconic bucket-list ski adventures.

The hike also rewards with spectacular views of Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak in the western hemisphere, and more than a dozen massive peaks rising above 20,000 feet in altitude.

It is important to note that to ski (and hike) the Super C, the stars must align. Good weather, low avalanche danger and snow quality all play a factor in whether you can hike the Super C on any given day. You cannot just show up to the resort for a day and expect to check this off your bucket list.

You need to check your own ability level, too. This is a backcountry hike that should only be undertaken by expert-level skiers with previous experience in backcountry terrain and safety, and those who carry all safety gear such as a beacon, shovel and probe. Boot crampons and an ice axe should be carried as well.

The hike can take 4 hours depending on snow conditions, and it involves crossing a few harrowing no-fall zones and thin air due to high altitudes. You must always check conditions with Portillo ski patrol and advise them if you plan to hike the Super C. This is very important.

Chapter 9

What Else Should I Know About Portillo?

Finally here are some important things to know before booking your trip.

Is Hotel Portillo and The Resort Experience for me?

Portillo is not for everyone. Many skiers refer to the resort as a “cruise ship in the sky,” and the reference is not that far removed from reality. The weeklong stay requirement (during busy periods) could feel long for some guests and dining takes place in the same restaurant every night.

On the other hand, many an international skier relishes this set up, specifically choosing Portillo due to its unique intimate character and the opportunity to meet new people who love to play as hard as they love to ski. In our experience, most guests fall in love with the Portillo experience and client care during their stay.

To encourage sociability, there are no televisions in guest rooms; instead guests spend après ski soaking in one of the hotel’s outdoor heated pools or sipping a pisco sour in the old-world bar. Guests are expected to dress for dinner and therefore evening meals take on a whole life of their own.

When to Go

During the South American holidays in July, Portillo sees a lot of young children, whose parents love the resort for its kid-friendly activities and closed environment within the hotel; but it can be overwhelming for adult travelers.

For North Americans, August and early September is the ideal time to come both for the more adult-oriented ambiance and a better chance of powder, also for the resort’s two Wine Weeks and other special weeks such as Friends Week. 

Tio Bob’s On-Slope Dining 

One of the best on-slope restaurants of any international resort, Tio Bob’s is legendary for its sweeping Andean views and animated, convivial ambiance where old friends meet, new friends are made, wine is spilled, and many a skier opts to call it a day after a late lunch.

Perched high above the Laguna del Inca, Tio Bob’s is low-slung and rustic, built of wood and stone and serving grilled meat and fish, salads, and hearty burgers to hungry skiers, many of whom consider the ski lifestyle as important as skiing itself and the reason why lunch here can stretch out for hours. Come to fill up, converse, soak up the sun, and savor one of the most dramatic panoramic views of any ski resort restaurant, anywhere.

tio bobs in portillo chile
Enjoying the epic views and cold cervezas at Tio Bob's

Portillo Ski Vacation Experts

PowderQuest offers 25 years experience booking hotel Portillo for skiers from around the world. We invite you to get started with our team of expert trip designers.

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