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Ski Portillo

South America, Chile Ski Resorts
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About Portillo

There are plenty of words to describe Portillo’s ski resort. It’s thrilling with world-renowned expert terrain and beginner-friendly slopes. It’s gorgeous with views of the Andes Mountains and the vibrant blue Lake of the Inca from your hotel room. It’s also convenient: the resort is all-inclusive, so skiing, lodging and meals are all included in a single price. 


If you’re looking for a ski vacation during the traditional off-season that features a relaxed atmosphere, a melting pot of skiers and Chilean culture, Ski Portillo is the answer. And booking through Ski.com is the easiest way to transition that search into a real-life ski vacation. With more than 50 years of expertise, our Mountain Travel Experts can navigate the sticky details — from flights to airport transfers to excursions like heli skiing — for you. 

The Basics:

Once you learn that Ski Portillo refers to both the mountain and the lodging, visiting the destination begins to make sense. Ski Portillo is home to a ski mountain with 1,235 skiable acres, but it also refers to its hotel, chalets and lodges. And that’s it. 

Unlike most resorts, which have dozens of properties to choose from and a ski base village with hundreds of restaurants, Portillo does not. While some might see this as a negative, our Experts see it as a major plus. Portillo’s design is the ideal setting for exploring empty slopes, building community and spending a vacation without having to make tough decisions (well, maybe you’ll have to choose between a steak and TK dinner).

Projected opening date2026-08-09
Projected closing date2026-09-26
Projected days open48

Portillo Mountain Stats

35Number of runs
11%Beginner runs
31%Advanced runs
31%Intermediate runs
26%Expert runs
1235Skiable acres
8,360 ftBase elevation
10,860 ftSummit elevation
2,500 ftVertical drop
59"
Average snowfall
Terrain park
NO

Your Best Ski Vacation Is Just a Click Away

With 50+ years of ski travel experience, we know how to plan a memorable mountain getaway. Take planning off your plate and let our Experts handle the details.

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The resort at Portillo in Chile, South America.
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A skier of undiscernible gender in blue ski jacket enjoying back-country skiing at Portillo in Chile, South America.
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Two skiers riding the chairlift at Portillo in Chile, South America.
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Aerial show of the resort and heated pool at Portillo in Chile, South America.
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The 5 best things about Portillo according to our Mountain Travel Experts

For skiers in the Western Hemisphere, it’s a winter getaway in the summerNestled near the Lake of the Inca, which skiers can traverse across during Chile’s peak winter monthsIts all-inclusive approach means there’s no stressful budgeting once you arriveIt serves a small number of boarders and skiers, which means no long lift lines and faces that become friends by the end of your stayIncredible and unique scenery and terrain

Where to stay in Portillo

Contact a Mountain Travel Expert to discover the best lodging options and personalized recommendations for your stay at Portillo Ski Resort.

An All-Inclusive Approach to Skiing

Visiting Ski Portillo is an all-inclusive experience, so the price of your vacation includes lodging, meals, unlimited lift access, hotel amenities and weekly activities. Guests typically stay for a week, but shorter stays are also welcome.

When it comes to accommodations, Ski Portillo exclusively offers ski-in ski-out lodging. There are a handful of accommodation styles, including Hotel Portillo with 123 rooms, ski chalets for groups and affordable options like hostels. Altogether, only about 450 guests are ever on the property, which means the mountain has a private resort feel.

Best Time to Visit Portillo

Since Portillo is in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are flipped for American and European skiers. The resort typically opens in late June and stays open through September, with most of the snowfall happening in July and August. 

July tends to be Portillo’s busiest month with winter vacation for South American schools and summer vacations for families in North America. However, with limited accommodations and lift tickets sold, the resort never feels crowded. 

Portillo Trail Maps

Portillo winter trail map

How to get to Portillo

Portillo is just 95 miles (two hours) from Chile’s capital, Santiago. Most skiers will fly into the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) and take a shuttle from the airport to the resort. 

Once you’ve arrived in Portillo, you won’t have to think about transportation until you’re leaving since the hotel, ski lifts, dining and après are all a walk away. 

Expert tip: Extend your stay and explore Santiago. Your Mountain Travel Expert can book additional nights at the beginning or end of your ski vacation to allow you to explore Chile’s rich wine scene and the country’s largest city.

A panoramic view of Santiago's cityscape with majestic mountains rising in the background.

Getting around

Everything you need is within walking distance of the iconic Hotel Portillo, including ski lifts, dining, and après-ski activities. With only 450 guests at the resort, the slopes are uncrowded, and there are no long lift lines. Families can enjoy a stress-free experience, with kids' ski lessons and activities conveniently located just steps away from the hotel.

Skiing in Portillo

Portillo’s mountain is evenly distributed across beginner, intermediate and expert terrain. The resort is complete with sunny days, plenty of snowfall and 35 groomed slopes.

Beginner Skiing + Snowboarding in Portillo

A skier descends a snowy slope

The resort is home to a world-class ski and snowboard school with instructors who teach in English, Spanish and other languages to fit skiers and riders' needs. Beginners can pick between private and group lessons designed for children, teens and adults at additional costs.

After building skills, beginners have access to 15% of the mountain terrain. Corralito is the easiest green run on the mountain with a magic carpet, wide slopes and an area dedicated to learning. Once that’s mastered, the next 30% of the mountain is for intermediates with runs groomed nightly. 

Intermediate and Expert Skiing and Snowboarding in Portillo

A person skiing down a powdery slope

Ski Portillo’s terrain is divided in 30% intermediate, 30% advanced and 25% expert. 

For intermediate skiers and snowboarders, Las Lomas and Juncalillo are favorites with rolling hills and easy cruising. There’s also accessible off-piste for intermediates as well. 

Portillo is known for its expert terrain, which predominantly features bowls and chutes. Make sure that the Roca Jack, Garganta and Lake runs are on your radar. Roca Jack offers views of the surrounding mountain range, while the famous Lake Run is a unique experience that allows skiers to traverse across the frozen lake back to the hotel. 

For intermediate and expert skiers and snowboarders looking to skill up, the resort also offers coaching. There’s also guiding for those craving an off-piste ski experience. 

 

Expert tip: Unlike many resorts, skiers can book heli skiing on a per-run basis, which offers the flexibility of going all day or for only a few runs.

Family vacations in Portillo

A family enjoying a ski lift ride together, surrounded by snowy mountains and clear blue skies.

Ski Portillo is an ideal family destination thanks to the approachable mountain and small, manageable resort. With only about 450 guests and an easy-to-understand layout, children of all ages thrive during their ski vacation.

Free Daycare: If your children are between 4 and 7 and need a break from the slopes, the property offers free daycare by certified professionals. 

Nursery Services: For younger children and babies, Ski Portillo also has an on-demand, paid babysitting service. 

Kids’ Program: Each week, specific activities are targeted for kids and families. There’s everything from magic shows to snow tubing to keep children engaged throughout the ski vacation, thanks to a dedicated entertainment team for children.

Property Amenities: From heated pools and hot tubs to a movie theater, Ski Portillo has a range of amenities to keep families busy off the slopes. 

Two children jump in the pool, with scenic mountains in the background.

For the Parents (and Every Adult): Regardless of whether you have children, all adults can indulge in amenities and events like wine pairings, yoga classes, snowshoeing, welcome cocktails and live music. 

FAQs

The mountain receives an average of about 240 inches of snow each season, and it's known for dry powder similar to what skiers find in the Rocky Mountains. The storms tend to be short, powerful and overnight. Afterward, you’ll typically find clear blue skies for skiing. The resort also makes its own snow, so skiers and snowboarders will have additional coverage on key runs when natural snowfall is limited.

The approximately two-hour trip involves mountain driving with numerous switchbacks along the Los Caracoles section of Route 60. Since you won’t need a car at the resort itself, most skiers and snowboarders opt out of car rentals and instead book either a group shuttle or private transfer from Santiago to Portillo.

Ski Portillo is known for its weeklong ski bookings that encourage travelers to stay from Saturday to Saturday, but the resort also offers shorter “mini week” packages, typically Sunday to Wednesday or Wednesday to Saturday.

Ski Portillo has a very high guest-to-staff ratio, and many of the staff members are bilingual. However, our Mountain Travel Experts always encourage skiers and snowboarders to pick up a few common phrases before arriving at the resort. Additionally, tipping is common in Portillo, and our Experts can share guidelines on who to tip and how much.

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