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Chile is a country of stunning
and breathtaking landscapes from
the lakes and fjords of Patagonia
to the salt flats and oases of
the Atacama Desert. Most people
who travel to Chile on holiday
visit in the summer months (November
to March), but if you enjoy deep
powder snow, uncrowded runs and
all round excellent skiing conditions,
then a ski trip to Chile should
figure in your holiday plans for
this summer.
The magnificent Andes Mountains
run the length of the county providing
many good opportunities for summer
skiing. Most of the ski resorts
are within easy reach of the capital,
Santiago, the most famous of which
is Portillo.
Portillo is 102 miles from Santiago
on the international road to Mendoza.
It is the only ski resort in South
America to have hosted a world
championship event and downhill
speed records have been broken
on its slopes over the years.
The location is outstandingly
beautiful, high in the Andes sitting
beside Laguna del Inca and surrounded
by mountain peaks.
There are three places to stay:
the four star Hotel Portillo,
which has 123 rooms and two less
expensive alternatives, the Octagon
Lodge and the Inca Lodge. The
hotel is excellent; guests can
enjoy the great facilities in
a relaxed and family friendly
atmosphere. On the mountain there
are 17 runs: 3 beginners, 4 intermediate,
6 advanced and 4 expert.
Portillo vital statistics:
• Vertical drop: 2,664 feet
• Longest run: 2 miles
• Altitude of Hotel: 9,350 feet
• Altitude at highest ski point:
10,859 feet
• Average annual snowfall: 20
feet
• Chance for sunny day: 80%
• Ski -in, Ski - out access from
hotel and lodges to slopes
Chile is a long way for most people
to go for a skiing holiday, but
if you do decide to escape northern
hemisphere summer you can make
the most of the long trip by taking
a few days to see some of the
wonders that Chile has on offer,
like Easter Island or the Atacama
Desert. Skiing one day, exploring
an Inca site in the desert the
next, only in Chile!
Andrew Chaundler worked and travelled
in South America for many years
before setting up Optimundo, a
travel company that specialises
in vacations in Chile and Argentina
that are designed with expert
knowledge of the region. See our
website to find out about our
tailor-made travel services.
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