Ski Portillo, Chile Announces Opening Day For 2024 Season
Anticipation for the Southern Hemisphere ski season is building—Ski Portillo, Chile, has announced it will open for skiing and riding on June 22nd.
The resort's winter operations will continue until September 28th, weather and conditions permitting.
Last season, Ski Portillo benefitted from a period of August snowfall that some called the "storm of the decade." By the storm's end, the resort had received 8.2 feet of snow, creating stellar skiing conditions.
The massive storm allowed Ski Portillo to extend its 2023 ski season a bit longer until October 1st and open rarely-skied terrain like the imposing Española chute.
"Fingers crossed for another good one," Ski Portillo wrote in its 2024 operating schedule announcement. "Who's coming?"
While it's far too early to predict how the upcoming Chilean winter will pan out, Ski Portillo, on average, tends to serve up the goods. In a typical season, the resort sees 5.10 meters of snow, blanketing its above-treeline slopes in white.
Unsurprisingly, Ski Portillo has become a popular destination for Northern Hemisphere skiers seeking infinite winter thanks to its snowfall and alpine terrain. Amongst these pilgrims are true professionals, from the freeskiing likes of Connery Lundin to alpine racing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin.
The resort's lifts provide access to 1235 acres of inbounds skiing, but intrepid backcountry fanatics have options, too, namely the famous Super C Couloir, which requires bootpacking a staggering 3,000 vertical feet.
That's not to mention the set and setting. At the base of Ski Portillo stands the iconic, bright yellow Hotel Portillo, bordered by the shimmering Laguna del Inca. When everything lines up, it's possible to catch fresh turns alongside glimpses of the alpine lake.
If that doesn't sound like the perfect recipe for a summer vacation, I'm not sure what does.
Related: Skier Fatally Crashes Attempting Road Gap Near Winter Park, CO
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