Portillo Chile is calling your name!!!

As the temperatures warm up the countdown to flying south to Chile’s premier ski resort, Portillo, begins.  Some people ask, why the heck would you fly all the way to South America to ski during the summer?  Simply put, because it’s awesome.  If you like to ski and you like to have fun, Portillo is where you need to go this summer.  It is an experience that has the potential to change you.  Not only does it offer an escape from the heat and mundane but you enter a world that is so different than anything you would find in North America.  Here the sky is a cobalt blue hue, the sun shimmers powerfully down on you as condors glide gracefully through the sky.  The Andes rise up all around you, like the towering walls of a fortress.  As the Inca Lake and its surrounding peaks lure you into an almost hypnotic state of tranquility you begin to believe in its mythical legend.  Your spirit soars to new heights when in Portillo, you just can't help it, as you get this incredible sense of freedom and adventure while you are there.

Portillo breaks down all barriers.  There is no surrounding village just the solitary blue and yellow hotel with a few miscellaneous buildings around it.  The heart of the resort is therefore quite naturally the hotel, as there is no other place to go.  Intentionally or unintentionally, you come away from your Andean sojourn with at least half a dozen more friends than what you arrived with.  The hotel is constructed in such a manner that forces you to meet and mingle with the other guests.  It is equipped with a heated swimming pool, two hot tubs, a gymnasium, spa, sauna, climbing wall, workout room, nightclub and cinema.  Included with your room, lift ticket and meals is all the terrain that your legs can handle.  Skiing in Portillo is downright fun and exhilarating.  Even riding the lifts is an adventure.  The terrain is truly incredible, you can go as big and technical as you want or keep it mellow and cruise, whatever you pleasure as it has something for every type of skier.

There is no shortage of entertainment at Portillo, especially when there’s a good band playing in the bar, you will get people dancing on tables, the windows will heat up, and the floor will begin to vibrate.  Whether you are jumping in on the action or just hanging out and watching the scene – it’s always a good time.  Don’t miss a visit to the Posada – a true Latin American cultural experience or lunch at Tio Bob’s, the mid-mountain restaurant, the view is stunning.  Without a doubt you will come away from Portillo with memories to last a lifetime and stories that will hold a dinner table captivated for hours.

The best way to experience Portillo is with the North American Ski Training Center (NASTC); they have been running a weeklong ski camp at Portillo annually for 17 years.  NASTC brings with them the best instructors in the country, members of the PSIA National Alpine Team.  The week is a perfect balance of coaching, skiing and playtime.  Over 80% of the NASTC clients have either previously attended the Portillo camp or another NASTC course.  Each aspect of the course has been carefully planned out so you can get the most out of your experience.  Included in the cost of the camp is lodging in either the Octagon or Hotel, lift tickets, 4 meals/day, 6 days of instruction with personalized video reviews & afternoon presentations by the coaches, a morning warm-up session, afternoon recovery sessions, a Functional Movement Screen, a traditional Chilean dinner and other events & activities.

By: Kimberly Mann

For more information regarding the trip please visit www.skinastc.com