Portillo, CHILE (June 24, 2010) – The South American ski season has officially begun with an impressive number of early season storms dropping nearly six feet of snow on Ski Portillo, South America’s premier ski resort. Last night, the resort received 16 inches of fresh snow, which will make for an incredible opening weekend as Ski Portillo loads chairlifts on Saturday, June 26th.
The 2010 Portillo season runs from June 26 – Oct. 2, 2010. Prices begin at $1,590 for a ski week at Hotel Portillo or $990 at the Octagon Lodge, located steps from Hotel Portillo. For reservations, call 1.800.829.5325, or email [email protected]. More information on Ski Portillo is also available at skiportillo.com, on Facebook or on Twitter @skiportillo.
Located approximately two hours from Chile’s capital, Santiago, and accessible via direct flights from numerous North American cities, Portillo is the perfect South American ski destination. Combining breathtaking views of the Laguna del Inca in the shadows of the Andes highest peaks, world-class skiing and snowboarding, and excellent service with a 1:1 guest to employee ratio, Portillo delivers an unsurpassed experience, rich in cultural, athletic and community spirit.
Portillo is a luxury all-inclusive resort, with ski weeks including the following: seven nights lodging, four meals per day (breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner), lift tickets, and access to everything the resort has to offer. Often compared to a “cruise ship high in the Andes,†the resort accommodates only 450 guests per week, effectively avoiding overcrowding and lift lines while affording guests the feeling they’re skiing at their own private Andean resort.
Ski Portillo features 14 lifts and the terrain caters to skiers of all abilities. For beginners and first-time skiers or snowboarders, Portillo’s ski and snowboard school features the world’s finest instructors – nearly 100 percent instruct year-round. While less-experienced guests will find wide-open and uncrowded beginner slopes, Portillo is famed for its steeps, and the area is surrounded by easily accessible backcountry terrain.
Accommodations at Ski Portillo are myriad, and each lodging option offers different advantages for couples, families with children and groups of friends. The famous yellow-hued Hotel Portillo offers the ultimate in South American luxury and convenience. Guests can choose from valley-view or lake-view double units, or family apartments accommodating up to six guests. The Octagon Lodge offers rooms with two bunk beds (four guests) and a private bathroom, and the no-frills Inca Lodge offers smaller rooms consisting of two sets of bunk beds with communal bathrooms.
Portillo’s all-inclusive complimentary offerings also include use of the pool and hot tubs overlooking the Laguna del Inca, the fitness center, gymnasium, aerobics and yoga classes, cinema, game room, children’s activities, the daycare center (complimentary for children three to seven years old), the disco bar, ski and boot check and timed race courses.
Special Weeks
Throughout the ski season Portillo offers numerous specially themed weeks, many of which are offered at no additional cost to guests. The annual Chilean Wine Fest (Aug. 28 – Sept. 5) which still has availability, is offered at no additional cost and brings Chile’s finest winemakers directly to guests, offering personally crafted tastings and educational sessions in the comfort of Hotel Portillo.
In addition, renowned athletes offer special weeks, including extreme skiing champion Chris Davenport. He offers his annual Ski with the Superstars Week, taking place Aug. 14-21, 2010, where participants learn from some of the most decorated extreme skiers on Portillo’s steep terrain. From July 24-31, 2010, the Portillo Big Mountain Telemark Camp takes place at Ski Portillo.
Former U.S. Ski Team member Kim Reichhelm will again offer her Kim Reichhelm Ski Adventure at Portillo, occurring Aug. 7-14, 2010. Other on-mountain learning opportunities include the NASTC (North American Ski Training Center) camp, celebrating its 17th season at Portillo, and taking place Aug. 14-21, 2010. The eighth annual Clendenin Ski Method Portillo Camp will take place Sept. 4-11, 2010.
Kids Ski Free Weeks
As a special offer for the 2010 season, Ski Portillo is offering ‘Children Ski Free Weeks,’ where parents may bring a child between the ages of four and 12 and receive a free week for their children. The dates for the ‘Children Ski Free Weeks’ are June 19-26, September 4-11, Sept. 11-18 and Sept. 18-25. Offer is valid for a maximum of one child per family. From Sept. 25-Oct. 2, Ski Portillo is offering the ‘Two Children Ski Free Week,’ where families are able to bring two children at no additional cost. The same conditions and restrictions apply.
For reservations, call toll-free 1.800.829.5325, or email [email protected]. More information on Ski Portillo is also available at skiportillo.com. Follow Portillo on Twitter (@skiportillo) or Facebook, or check out the Portillo YouTube channel.
Ski Portillo also owns and operates an adventure spa, Tierra Atacama, located in northern Chile in the Atacama Desert. For more information on Tierra Atacama and trips between the two resorts, visit tierraatacama.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Maureen Poschman: [email protected] (+01.970.925.8480)
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