Portillo: Ski South America
What? You can ski in the summer? If you ski in the Southern Hemisphere, you can.. While Portillo, Chile is not really suitable for rank beginners, once you develop a few primary skills, a Portillo ski week is the experience of a lifetime. It gives you a chance to see a South American perspective on skiing, which is far more relaxed than the North American approach. For example, although the lifts start turning at 9AM, hardly anyone is one the slopes until 11AM. Since the lifts don’t close till 4:30, lunches are long and leisurely. In fact, everything in Portillo is more relaxed.
This relaxation is aided by the fact that a Portillo ski week is an all-inclusive vacation. Your lodging, meals and lift tickets are included in the price. Even your afternoon coffee is included. The only things that are separate fees are ski lessons and alcoholic drinks. However, the resort does present a weekly welcome party, where you can check out their signature drink, the Pisco Sour. These drinks are somewhat similar to a margarita, only sweeter. Beware: Their sweetness hides their potency, so be careful. Perhaps that's why people make friends so easily at Portillo.
Photo: Portillo, Chile
Compared to North American ski resorts, meals at Portillo are a formal experience. When you come in from the slopes, check your skis and boots with the concierge, and change into your comfortable street shoes. Once in the dining room, your formally clad maitre di will escort you to your table, where you are served a meal that is elegant in its presentation, and quite tasty. Later, if you want to take a break from skiing, check out the cocoa caliente, which is the Chilean version of a hot chocolate. You pour steamed milk over a candy bar. It's delicious!
Portillo is also a place where international friendships are formed. Many of the same people choose the same week each year. This includes members of various international ski teams, who freely socialize with the other guests.
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