Today is the second to last day of June and the 4th of July weekend is directly ahead of us, but I’m already thinking about the upcoming season. Sure, I love long summer days and warm-weather activities, but, like many of you, I’m ready to click into my skis and do a little dance with gravity. Luckily, world-class skiing and riding is easily accessible in Chile and Argentina from now until the end of September/beginning of October.

Fortunately, it’s looking like I’ll be heading in that direction in August and I wanted to share a little bit about my itinerary with you in case you’ve always wondered what a ski vacation to South America entails.

I’ll arrive in Santiago first thing in the morning via LAN, an airline that does it right. On LAN, each seat is like a virtual entertainment center. Enjoy a choice of 47 different movies, 95 television series and programs, 650 CDs (you can make your own playlist), 10 radio channels and 20 onboard games (you can even play other passengers!). The best part: All this entertainment is accompanied by wonderful meals paired with fine Chilean wines.

After choosing to spend a full day and night experiencing Santiago, I’ll jump on a two-hour shuttle ride up into the Andes to Portillo. The resort, set far above tree line, has a base altitude of 9,450 feet assuring a crisp climate perfect for producing dry powder. Off the mountain, Portillo is known for their service and all the activities and amenities offered at the famous, bright yellow Hotel Portillo.

From Portillo, I’ll return to Santiago where I’ll fly to Calama en route to Portillo’s sister resort, Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Like Portillo, Tierra Atacama provides guest experiences that combine outdoor adventure and sports with indoor comforts, hospitality and service. Guests experience one of the many outdoor adventures and then return to the hotel where a variety of relaxing options, including spa services, await them.

When it’s all said and done, this trip should be enough to tide me over until the snow starts to fall in the mountains of North America.

Remember, in addition to putting together perfect vacations in Portillo, Ski.com can customize the itinerary of a lifetime that includes incredible skiing and riding in Valle Nevado or Termas de Chillán, Chile or Las Leñas or Bariloche, Argentina. Just call one of our Mountain Vacation Specialists at 800-299-0656. Whether you’d like to simply focus on the skiing or you’d like to combine your love of the sport with a cultural experience in places like Santiago, Buenos Aires or the Atacama Desert, Ski.com will take care of all the details for you!