Portillo is a ski resort in Central Chile. It is located close to the Argentine border and the actual skiing area runs right across the serpentine road to Mendoza.

Get in

By bus

Hotel Portillo will pick you up in Santiago and shuttle you to the mountain, it's about a two to three hour trip. Also, any bus heading to Mendoza will drop you off at the resort.

By car

The resort is easily reached from Santiago in a few hours by car. An excellent but expensive highway (Ch$2200 total for a small vehicle) takes you to Los Andes, where you make to turnoff and start the climb to Portillo. The road from here is decent but often carry heavy traffic. Have chains with you in winter, when there is frequent heavy snow fall. The road is sometimes blocked by trucks failing to do the ascent to the border.

Hitchhiking

Getting a lift on a truck is an easy prospect, as there are a constant trickle of them slowly making their way to and from Argentina. But the smaller car the faster. You'll save hours (or even days!) if picked up by private vehicle.

Get around

If put off by the steeply priced ski passes, you can ride the lower slopes and hitchhike back up with trucks. Bring your own gear or rent in Santiago and try to look as if you actually do have a pass.

See

Make sure you get to Tio Bob's. Lunch on the top of the mountain offering spectacular views of the resort.

Do

• The skiing is great, the resort is filled with open flowing runs. The most enjoyable aspect are the off-piste powder hunting, easily accessed by screeing from the lifts. The Roca Jack is the worlds only sling shot lift. It's not a regular chair lift, it actually looks like a giant slingshot. There are runs for beginners and pros alike.
• Backcountry skiing and snowboarding is very possible. You'll find great open powder slopes right by the road. Competition from other backcountry hikers is non-existent. Bring appropriate avalanche rescue equipment. Beware that most of the runs is concave and gets very steep at the top. Be careful. You can supposedly check conditions with the resort before setting out. They operate heli-skiing.
• Pool bathing. There is an outdoor pool in the resort. It is heated through the mountains own geo-thermal heat, and it's a relaxing alternative to skiing.

Buy

Eat

• The Hotel Portillo is all-inclusive with food and non-alcoholic drinks. The meals are spectacular and the attention to detail reflect the amount you pay. They offer four meals a day and give you one free lunch at Tio Bobs where you can try thier Parillada.
• The closest supermarkets is in Los Andes. Stock up here of self catering. The minimarkets and Copec service station halfway sells snacks for double the price in Los Andes.

Drink

Don't leave Portillo with out having quite a few Pisco Sours. It's a Chilean speciality and the mascot of the mountain. It's made from grapes along the lines of Brandy. There is a bar in the hotel.

• But The Posada is the spot where all the locals hang out. It's right outside the hotel and 1/2 the price. Gets busy after midnight when the workers get off for the night.

Sleep

Lodging

Hotel Portillo is the only hotel in the resort. You can stay at the deluxe Hotel or the hostel.

Backcountry

There is no organized camping close to the slopes. When going backcountry you'll find most flat spaces along the noisy road. Toliets are availible in the hotel for non-guests. Bring warm sleeping gear in winter.

Get out

The road to Mendoza in Argentina runs past the resort. Try to flag down a bus or hitchhike.