Guests who have never traveled to Chile often have questions about what to expect in Portillo. The following are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

What do our prices include?

Our prices include lodging, 4 meals a day, lift tickets and free access to all of our fitness and entertainment facilities. Airline tickets, ski or snowboard lessons, equipment rental, beverages, nursery, transfers, among other extras, are not included.

What is the average snowfall?

Portillo receives an average snowfall of 20 feet (6 meters) of snow, which generally falls during short, but intense storms that are followed by sunny days with bright blue skies.

What is the altitude of the Hotel? What precautions should I take?

The Hotel Portillo is 9,450 feet (2,880 meters) above sea level, and is characterized by very low humidity. As a result of the dry air, we recommend that our guests drink plenty of liquid upon arrival and take it easy for the first day. Some guests notice shortness of breath, especially when exercising or skiing. This is perfectly normal in Chilean Andes. It is possible to be affected by altitude and suffer from “altitude sickness” caused by the lack of oxygen and atmospheric pressure. Symptoms include headaches, accelerated heartbeat, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and physical weakness. If you notice one or more of these symptoms for longer than 24 hours we suggest that you visit our health clinic located on the lower level of the Hotel.

What Après Ski activities do you offer?

We offer several Après Ski activities. To name a few, you can use the gym and take a class like yoga or stretching; go to the pool or jacuzzi; relax in the bar before everyone gets there; play a game of indoor soccer in our full-court gymnasium; take a snowshoe walk (if this is on our activities calendar); get a massage; take a nap; read a book in the cozy living room; among other activities.

How much does the babysitting service cost?

The hourly price for babysitting service varies from year to year. For the most updated information please check this following section of this website: Activities for Kids.

How does the Kids Camp work?

The Kids Camp is a program of ski classes especially designed to introduce 4-6 year-olds to snow and skiing. This program has morning and afternoon schedules, and does not include lunch. Parents are responsible for picking up and dropping off their children at the Ski School’s Kids Camp meeting point.

How old does a child have to be to take ski or snowboard classes?

To take group ski classes children must be at least 4 years old. Those children younger than 4 may take private classes. For group snowboard classes we recommend that children be at least 13 years old. Kids between 8 to 13 years old may take private snowboard lessons.

How does the Main Dining Room work?

Our Main Dining Room functions just like on a cruise ship. Our maitre d’ Juan Beiza assigns guests to a table the first evening, which guests will use throughout their stay. During lunch and dinner there are two seatings: 12:30pm & 1:30pm are the lunch seatings while 8:30pm and 9:45pm are the dinner seatings. If you have a seating preference, please talk to the maitre d’ and he will do his best to accommodate your requests. Families with young children are always given preference for the early seatings. Since dinner is served late in the Chilean custom, we serve “Onces,” or tea and snacks, at 5pm.

What do I do if I want to watch TV?

Portillo does not equip its guest rooms with televisions. The philosophy at Portillo is based on guests switching off and relaxing and taking part in the many activities offered throughout the day. We do have large-screen TV’s in our cinema and disco, where guests may watch cable television in English at certain times of the day. Please check with our entertainment team for schedules and programs.

Is there a dress code for dinner?

While there is no dress code throughout the day at Portillo (ski clothes are fine for breakfast and lunch), guests feel most comfortable wearing nice, casual clothing to dinner. We also politely request that guests use the following guidelines as a dress code for dinner: men should wear shirts with collars (no T-shirts); closed shoes (if you chose to wear sandals, please use socks); no baseball caps or swimsuits. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

What happens if the slopes are closed due to a storm?

Due to the unpredictability of weather, ski slope and lift access may vary throughout the day. Excessive wind, poor visibility, and heavy snowfall may sometimes force us to close some or all of our slopes. Please check our Information Center located in front of the Ski School office.

Why is the Roca Jack run closed on some days even when the weather is good?

The ski slopes located near the upper mountain, such as Roca Jack or Condor, are more exposed to avalanche danger. Depending of different factors, our avalanche team may decide to close some ski runs during the day. Your safety is always our main concern.

What is the Portillo road closed policy?

The road to Portillo, (which is also the International Highway between Santiago and Mendoza, Argentina) is maintained by the Chilean Ministry of Public Works, which is responsible for clearing snow following a storm or other events. Portillo Ski Resort in not responsible for the condition of the road.

If the road is closed and guests are not able to get to or leave Portillo, the following policy applies:

*Guests who are unable to drive up to Portillo, due to road closure will be directly responsible for their accommodation and other expenses in Santiago or elsewhere. The nights that are not used at Portillo will be accredited to their accounts. Guests will be able to choose whether to transfer the credit to their extra services account (ski lessons, bar bills, etc.), use the credit toward a future reservation within the same season, or proceed for reimbursement through their respective agency.

*Guests who are unable to descend from Portillo and must spend the night in the resort will be charged the full rate for their first night’s accommodation. However, beginning the second night, a 50% discount will be applied to the normal rate.

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail us and we will be happy to help you.

Visas

Visitor from most countries do not need to arrange for a tourist visa before arriving in Chile. Residents of some countries like the United States, Canada and Australia (United States US 140, Canada US 132, Australia US 61) are required to pay a reciprocity fee upon entry before being issued a tourist visa. For further information, please check with the consulate for your country in Chile.