A Heritage of Excellence

Portillo is not merely a destination; it is the oldest ski resort in South America and a cornerstone of global alpine history. Located just 6km from the Argentine border at the Paso Los Libertadores, it has welcomed over 3 million visitors since 1949, offering a sanctuary for technical excellence and steep terrain.

Since its inauguration in 1949, Portillo has remained a bastion of pure mountain culture. It is not just the oldest ski resort in South America; it is a world-renowned technical sanctuary where Olympic teams and expert skiers converge to test their limits against the most iconic slopes of the Andes.

Technical Specifications

Altitude Range
2,580 m — 3,310 m (730 m Vertical)

Skiable Terrain
500+ Hectares

Mechanical Lifts
13 High-performance systems

Piste Profile
18 Official runs (Technical focus)

International Fame
Home of the 1966 World Championships

Historical Timeline

• 1887: Construction of the Trans-Andean Railway begins. British engineers introduce the first wooden skis to the region, using them for transportation and recreation during the works.

• 1910: Railway Inauguration. Early skiers pioneer the use of the train as a primitive "lift," riding the wagons between Juncal and Caracoles stations to access the high slopes.

• 1949: The original Hotel Portillo officially opens its doors under Chilean government administration, featuring the first chairlifts in the region.

• 1961: Privatization and the arrival of Henry Purcell. This marks the beginning of an era of international modernization and the development of the "ski-in/ski-out" luxury concept.

• 1966: Portillo hosts the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. To this day, it remains the first and only World Championship ever held in the Southern Hemisphere.

• 1978 (Speed Skiing Milestone): Portillo hosts one of the most legendary speed competitions in history. American skier Steve McKinney shatters the "mythical barrier" of 200 km/h (clocking 200.22 km/h) on the specialized Kilómetro Lanzado track, located beneath the Roca Jack lift. This event propelled Portillo to the pinnacle of global sports technology.

• 1987: French skier Michael Prufer sets a new world speed record on the same track, reaching a staggering 217.68 km/h.

• 2000 – 2015: Portillo becomes the official summer training hub for elite Olympic teams from the USA, Austria, and Norway, attracted by the high-altitude "technical snow" surrounding the Inca Lake.

• 2019: Celebration of the hotel’s 70th Anniversary, reaffirming its signature policy of limited guest capacity to ensure uncrowded slopes and a "private mountain" feel.

• 2023: Deployment of advanced snowmaking systems and high-speed satellite connectivity, catering to the new era of professional digital nomads and remote-working athletes.

• 2024: Consolidation of the Sustainability and Conservation Programs to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Laguna del Inca and its high-alpine surroundings.

Technical Overview

Location
Los Andes, Valparaíso Region, Chile.

Distance from Santiago
164 km (North)

Elite Training
Home to US and German Olympic Teams

Speed Record
217.68 km/h (Michael Prufer, 1987)

The Legacy of Speed

The resort is world-famous for its specialized "Kilómetro Lanzado" (Speed Skiing) track.

Designed specifically for record-breaking velocity, it remains a site of legend where the barrier of 200 km/h was first shattered on South American soil.

Current Climate

Contact Information

General Inquiries:
+56 22 361 7000

Hotel Portillo:
+56 22 361 7000

Toll Free Brazil:
0-800-892-2120

Toll Free USA/Canada:
+1 800 829 5325

Corporate Office:
Renato Sanchez 4270, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile.

Resort Location: Nestled in the heart of the Andes, 164 km from Santiago and 214 km from Mendoza.

Source: www.skiportillo.com

Slope Pulse

Stories from those who’ve left their mark.
Your experience is the ultimate guide. Share your highlights, tips, and secrets from the mountain to help the community find their next perfect run.

Portillo, el Kilómetro Lanzado y el día en que entendí el esquí

La primera vez que puse un pie en Portillo tenía 12 años. Lo sé con una certeza casi científica porque ese viaje quedó grabado a fuego en mi memoria: coincidió con el histórico año de 1978, cuando el mundo del esquí puso sus ojos en la Cordillera de los Andes. Fue el año en que todo calzó y, de paso, ya les revelé mi edad... soy zorro viejo, y lo digo sin ninguna vergüenza.

El día que la montaña me habló: Mi bautizo en la Garganta del Diablo

Hay momentos en la vida que se quedan congelados, literalmente. Yo debo haber tenido entre doce y en ese entonces, Portillo era mi patio de juegos, pero un patio con reglas claras. Yo ya me movía con soltura por la Escuela 1 y la 2, y Juncalillo... ah, pero había un lugar que yo miraba siempre de reojo, con respeto y terror sagrado: La Garganta del Diablo.

Nunca había sentido tanta expectación por una montaña antes de llegar. Después de mis días en Bariloche, en el Cerro Catedral, sabía que Sudamérica tenía sorpresas guardadas. Y Portillo, en Chile, era la próxima. No es solo un centro de esquí; es una prueba, un territorio de retos y nieve honesta.

Portillo: mi cordillera chilena

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