Rich's blog

August in the Andes…

Portillo is a killer spot. High-end accommodations and some serious terrain just a few hours from Santiago Chile. Hotel elevation is about 9000 ft. Surrounding peaks are as high as 14,000 ft. Views of Aconcagua and big glaciated terrain are not hard to find. Portillo has some great skiing that can be accessed by some “sporty” poma lifts (Think slingshot for 5 folks at a time) and enough groomed terrain to actually entice some serious world cup ski teams to visit and train. No village, no market, & little else than the amazing hotel keeps this place from getting busy. Although word has gotten out, and more and more North American “freeskiers” are coming each year, there is plenty of fresh powder to go around after a storm. Hiking above the chairs, along with some crafty traversing is an easy way to get into some steeper lines and find your own stash…