Destinations > Portillo

Portillo (translation “the little gate”) is nestled high up in the Andes on the border between Argentina and Chile. This resort, probably the most famous in all of South America, began construction in the 1930's, and still provides a classic mountain lodge experience in the high Andes. Hotel Portillo offers a full luxury package, including excellent food, a heated outdoor pool in a spectacular setting, and a complete range of other amenities.

Portillo is located in one of the most spectacular settings of any ski resort in the world. The steep, craggled peaks of the Andes stretch overhead, surrounding the glassy water of the Lake of the Incas. Aconcagua, the tallest peak in the Americas, lies immediately adjacent to the ski slopes. The ski-able terrain is excellent, including a wide variety of on-piste groomers and cruisers, to hair-raising lines through a cliff band below the Condor lift, and amazing off-piste runs accessible by traversing off of the famous Roca Jack lift (a five-person poma!)

For the truly accomplished, fit, and insane ski / snowboard mountaineers, the Super C is the ultimate run of the Andes, requiring a climb of 2,500 feet up a steep chute above the Roca Jack lift, including a death defying traverse, to a small saddle at 16,000 ft of elevation – allowing unparalleled views of Aconcagua. The descent is almost 7,000 vertical feet of uninterrupted, 35 – 50 degree narrow, curving, rock-walled chute. Salivating yet?

CASA Tours offers week-long packages at Portillo in conjunction with week-long stays at other great resorts (Las Lenas and Termas de Chillan), and the El Arpa extension option, that allows 1 day of skiing at Portillo.

Photos from Portillo:

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