Chile 2022

[Ursula4349]

I'm interested in going to Portillo or Valle Nevado in August for the first time. If anyone is also considering a trip to South America this Summer to ski and looking for travel buddies let me know. It would be nice to organize a small group.

 

[santacruz skier]

I'm interested in going to Portillo or Valle Nevado in August for the first time. If anyone is also considering a trip to South America this Summer to ski and looking for travel buddies let me know. It would be nice to organize a small group.

Watching this thread ! I'm pretty booked for travel this year (Hawaii and Mexico) but still interested !

 

[Like2Ski]

I’m interested, but I don’t know if it’s in the budget. Definitely keep us posted!

 

[Lmk92]

Gosh, I'd love this. I'm waiting to hear what's going to happen to my very large parent plus loans before I make big plans, though

 

[Mudgirl630]

Have you ever skied in Bariloche, Argentina?
I was JUST looking around to see which location is better, between Bariloche and Portillo....

 

[Ski Betty]

Hi, I'm watching this conversation for connections. I have been to Cerro Catedral near Bariloche and would like to try Chile. Cannot go this year.

 

[Mudgirl630]

Hi, I'm watching this conversation for connections. I have been to Cerro Catedral near Bariloche and would like to try Chile. Cannot go this year.

How did you like it there?

 

[Ski Betty]

The skiing was fine, not great. No lift line management, just a friendly free-for-all. We mostly did it for the novelty. Site seeing in the Patagonia region was fabulous. People were extremely welcoming. Had a great trip overall.

 

[elemmac]

Have you ever skied in Bariloche, Argentina?
I was JUST looking around to see which location is better, between Bariloche and Portillo....

I looked into the same in 2017 for a 2018 trip, ended up landing on Portillo mainly for the ease of getting there with 8 people in our group. We only had a week, so the amount of time and cost for flights made flying Boston to Santiago much more appealing. Bariloche does look amazing, and there’s a good chance I’ll end up there one of these summers.

As for general info on Portillo, I’ve copied from a recent comment I made on SkiTalk, on a thread where someone was asking about Portillo vs. New Zealand:

I spent a week in Portillo in 2018. Had an amazing time. It’s like summer camp… everyone arrives together and leaves together (Saturday to Saturday stays). They don’t sell day tickets (unless the hotel isn’t sold out), so it’s never crowded. You meet people in the hotel, the bar or the discotheque, and become friends for the week. Everyone has a similar mindset sharing the same passion for skiing…I mean, why else would you spend your summer vacation in the Andes.

If a wide variety of groomer terrain is what you’re looking for, it’s probably not a first choice. But it has some world class lines if you’re a bit adventurous and are fortunate enough to get some good conditions. The incredible views, the history of the resort and the legend of the Laguna Del Inca are worth the visit alone. Oh, and slingshot lifts are something ever skier should experience at least once in their lifetime.

It’s a unique experience that I would recommend to anyone with a passion for skiing.

Here’s my trip report if you’re interested in diving in further. I’m happy to provide an details on planning or the experience if you have any questions: https://www.skitalk.com/threads/trip-report-for-portillo-august-2018.11385/

Side note: I thought I posted a similar trip report here, but can’t seem to locate it.

 

[Ursula4349]

Update, taking the plunge and going to Valle Nevado from Aug 26- aug 30 flying out of Miami. Solo tripping.

 

[Ursula4349]

I’m interested, but I don’t know if it’s in the budget. Definitely keep us posted!

Going!

 

[Mudgirl630]

Update, taking the plunge and going to Valle Nevado from Aug 26- aug 30 flying out of Miami. Solo tripping.

Good for you, but 4 days is long enough?

 

[Ursula4349]

Perhaps not but it is what I could manage for now. I fly out on August 25 and fly back in on August 31 so 4 days on the mountain.

 

[Mudgirl630]

Perhaps not but it is what I could manage for now. I fly out on August 25 and fly back in on August 31 so 4 days on the mountain.

Oh, I see! That is not too bad. Have fun!

 

[santacruz skier]

Update, taking the plunge and going to Valle Nevado from Aug 26- aug 30 flying out of Miami. Solo tripping.

Please report back !

 

[ilovepugs]

Have fun! Look forward to hearing about it. Also very interested in learning about your experiences with travel logistics.

 

[ilovepugs]

double posted. Sorry!

 

[Ursula4349]

 

[Ursula4349]

It was a great trip to Valle Nevado. I skied 5 days straight including the day I got there and the day I left. So awesome to fly out of blistering Miami and in less than 12 hours be on a snowy mountain.
The Chileans are very nice people and super accommodating. The Andes ski resort is above the tree line so it’s just rock without the snow. Not crowded and not too expensive. Felt like skiing in the US back 30 years ago.
I can answer any questions you all may have. I would do it again.

 

[Ursula4349]

More pics