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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    S. Lake Tahoe
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    442

    Thinking about Portillo already

    Well the N.A season is almost over and I need get my hands on more of the white powdery stuff. Im returning to Chile to get married this time and do some more skiing.
    Having skied Termas de Chillan and the Tres Valles, Portillo is next on my list. However the logistics for this is somewhat confusing. After doing some research on and off the TGR site. I've concluded that staying at the resort is impossible unless you stay for 7 days (starting on SAT.).
    The closest town with accommodations seems to be Los Andes roughly 1 hr. away. Now my question is has anyone stayed in Los Andes when skiing Portillo? Where is a decent place to stay? I will be there late July. I understand the road can close so there is a risk in staying in Los Andes. How often does the road close in July Aug? How long after a storm can it reopen?

    Any info is appreciated Muchas Gracias
    LET IT SNOW

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
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    Seattle
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    Los Andes isn't much of a town.

    I wouldn't want to drive or rely on that road on a daily basis after a big storm closure the semi trcks back up for miles.

    Edit: Picture of said road.



    Is it the seven days that's the problem? Or cost? Their Inca and Octagon lodges provide cheaper alternatives. Even the hotel itself is good value for the experience, feeds, facilities.
    Last edited by PNWbrit; 04-20-2009 at 02:01 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Downbound Train View Post
    And there will come a day when our ancestors look back...........

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    You probably have to budget two hours from Los Andes, not one. The road is packed with trucks and as mentioned above if there is weather there is little chance of making it.

  4. #4
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    Oct 2006
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    The problem with the resort is the 7 night minimum. I just dont have that much time. I thought I read somewhere that they also did three night stays at the resort but I could be mistaken.
    Yea the prices are not so bad when you consider what you get.
    LET IT SNOW

  5. #5
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    Jul 2008
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    Quote Originally Posted by el penoso View Post
    The problem with the resort is the 7 night minimum. I just dont have that much time. I thought I read somewhere that they also did three night stays at the resort but I could be mistaken.
    Yea the prices are not so bad when you consider what you get.
    Well if you are set on staying in Los Andes, Casa San Regis is really awesome - amazing home cooked food, wonderful rooms, a super nice family runs the place, and LOTS of local wine. You can also check out Arpa from Los Andes.

    http://www.casasanregis.cl/2008/

    I deal with a guy name Brian Pearson at Santiago Adventures for Arpa, Casa San Regisn and transport. Stand up guy, PM me if you want his email.

  6. #6
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    Dec 2003
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    Seattle
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    Quote Originally Posted by el penoso View Post
    I thought I read somewhere that they also did three night stays at the resort but I could be mistaken.
    Think those are only available at short notice. Like a week or so out.
    Quote Originally Posted by Downbound Train View Post
    And there will come a day when our ancestors look back...........

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Carson Range
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    379
    I remember a couple years ago Ski Total in Santiago was offering shorter trip to Portillo, but all they have on their site right now is day trips from Santiago and week long trips. I've done a day trip from Los Andes combined with cat skiing at Ski Arpa, definitely possible, but that road would get tiresome, even in the best of weather.

    You might have more luck waiting a bit, see if Portillo starts needing to fill rooms. I'd also recommend Brian at Santiago Adventures or the folks at Casa Tours, they'd be able to give you the low down on what's possible. I doubt you'll get very far dealing directly with Portillo, from my understanding they've only be dealing with weeks, or last minute (ie, tonight) for the last few years.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Vallee Teton
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    2,586
    First off, congrats on the upcoming marriage.

    If you want to go heavy on the budget side, there are some little cabanas just before the customs stop at Guardia Vieja.
    I think you can stay there for $40 a night or so.

    If you want info on the cabanas, I can dig it up, let me know.

    You still are at the mercy of a road closure, this time you could be stuck between Portillo and Los Andes, but I would think they would escort you out of there in time.

    It's a pretty rough little spot (general area wise right next to high mountain highway), but cheap and clean.
    Food isn't bad at the hotel's restaurant and they have good honey infused Kunstmann beer.

    Part of this depends on if the trip will be pre- or post- marriage (insert finger moustache).
    http://www.ventisqueroguardiavieja.cl/
    I found the info...
    Last edited by whorehey; 04-20-2009 at 03:27 PM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
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    NorCal
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    A couple of things to add/reiterate:

    1. Relying on the highway into Portillo is a HUGE gamble. Pushing aside access and all the semis that will definitely be jack-knifed blocking traffic, the bigger issue is if you are up skiing Portillo and a storm comes in. Generally, if you are skiing and it is storming, a rumor will quickly spread if/when the highway is going to be closed. If that actually happens and you get stuck, you are either (i) sleeping in your car or (ii) getting charged for a FULL weeks stay from Portillo. You cannot simply go back and sit in the lobby - they will charge you.

    I was skiing Portillo last year for a day (on my way from Los Andes to Santiago), and this very thing happened. We were grabbing lunch in a mid-mountain lodge, and several guides from other guided trips (we were on one as well) ran in and said the highway was shutting down. It was a mad white-out dash to the car to get past the choke point as quickly as possible.

    Pic of the road in question with all the switchbacks by Portillo:



    2. Regarding Los Andes - I will give a plus + for Casa San Regis. Awesome experience. It is a hacienda from the 1500s that has been run by the same family for generations. Great food, great wine and a cool experience.

    3. CAT Ski Arpa - if you stay in Los Andes (whether or not at Casa San Regis), I would strongly recommend going and skiing up in Arpa. If you do that, you should definitely get a BURLY 4-wheel drive truck and probably a driver if the road has snow. The access road to Arpa is crazy, but the skiing is well worth it. Huge amount of terrain, 100% CAT-operated. Great skiing, good guides and the owner (Mr. Sponar) is a great guy.

    FYI - all my beta came from this trip (not the best of pics I realize - no action shots):

    https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...d.php?t=135084

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
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    NorCal
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    Quote Originally Posted by ski_rick View Post
    I'd also recommend Brian at Santiago Adventures or the folks at Casa Tours, they'd be able to give you the low down on what's possible.
    +1. Call up "Gomez" (David Johnson) at Casa Tours. Very friendly and he can give you beta on the possibilities of do-it-yourself to Portillo.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    San Francisco
    Posts
    150
    I have to be in Santiago at the end of July and might possibly have 4 days free to hit the mountains. I've previously skied Valle Nevado and would like to try something different.

    I came to the same conslusion about about the impossibility of pre-booking any short term stay at Portillo. Skitotal and KL Adventures do run a shuttle service from Santiago to Portillo but that makes for an extremely long day. Also after previously travelling on the road to Portillo I know that even in the best of conditions it can take forever. KL and I believe Santiago Adventures also offers day trips to Arpa from Santiago with the option of staying in Los Andes.

    I was told the one cheap hostel in Farrelones (Refugio Aleman) will also be closed this winter. Does anyone know of any other cheap options up there?

  12. #12
    Helldawg Guest
    ^^^ They will absolutely NOT charge you a full week's stay if you get stuck there due to snow. That's crazy talk.

    But the rest of the info is solid. Don't fuck with that ratty ass town near the police checkpoint, and don't commute from Los Andes.

    Just bite the bullet and do the week, it'll be good.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    Wow I am consistently impressed with the speed and wealth of information that comes off this site. Thanks fellas much appreciated.
    LET IT SNOW

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Helldawg View Post
    ^^^ They will absolutely NOT charge you a full week's stay if you get stuck there due to snow. That's crazy talk.

    But the rest of the info is solid. Don't fuck with that ratty ass town near the police checkpoint, and don't commute from Los Andes.

    Just bite the bullet and do the week, it'll be good.
    Just what I heard from several guides down there when I was one of many rapidly trying to "evacuate". If you get stuck, you are basically sleeping in your car (as I assume at least they are not giving you lodging for 1 night).

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
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    June Lake
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    2,625
    Why not check out the cooler side of the Andes?

  16. #16
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    Nov 2003
    Location
    Vallee Teton
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    Quote Originally Posted by Helldawg View Post
    ^^^ They will absolutely NOT charge you a full week's stay if you get stuck there due to snow. That's crazy talk.

    But the rest of the info is solid. Don't fuck with that ratty ass town near the police checkpoint, and don't commute from Los Andes.

    Just bite the bullet and do the week, it'll be good.
    If you decide to stay down near the police checkpoint, it's not that bad. There is no town to speak of, just the cabanas and the main building with front desk/restaurant.

    FWIW, I stayed there for 3 nights with my wife at the time (Chilean local) and my buddies (married) in Santiago use it as an economical alternative for lodging 30 minutes from Portillo to avoid the long commute from Santiago.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Too close to Kansas.
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    303
    Mmmmmmm...I do loves me some Portillo.








  18. #18
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Great Andromeda Nebula
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    12
    I wish I had a fat italian beef from portillo's now...

    Looks fun.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
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    Between a rock and a soft place. Aberdare and The Brecon Beacons, Wales
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    Stayed there three nights on the way back from Mendoza.

    No pre-booking. Turned up and asked for 3 nights in Inca and got it. Early September though.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    Quote Originally Posted by slaymore_sessions View Post
    Great shot of the slingshot...that really shows the perspective well...all that's missing is a snowboarder with tears running down his cheeks as he holds on for dear life...

  21. #21
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by djc View Post
    Great shot of the slingshot...that really shows the perspective well...all that's missing is a snowboarder with tears running down his cheeks as he holds on for dear life...
    Actually, looks like the guy on the right is on a board! Goddamn that thing kicked my butt...

  22. #22
    Helldawg Guest
    UC Lawyer: Yes, you can sleep in the car, but that's harsh, especially if it's storming. They will let you stay by the night, because think about it, if you can't get out, whomever is supposed to get your room can't get in either. So they still fill the room, and you get to wait out the storm like a human being!

    And Whorehey, the main reasons I'm poo-pooing the checkpoint town are because dude is getting married, and I'm assuming he'll want to be somewhere comfy with amenities. Also, if it does storm, even though closer than Los Andes or Santiago, you are still fucked, but now you are fucked AND really bored.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    166
    What the hell is a slingshot?!?! I thought I knew all the crazy rope tow devices out there - Nz's nutcrackers being the worst. How's this thing work, 4 cats at a time pulled by...? Plotting a plan to invade SA this August myself, tentatively...

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Vallee Teton
    Posts
    2,586
    Helldawg, no worries.
    Too bad you're not going late season.
    I showed up end of Sept 2002 and got 2-for-1 rates.
    Stayed in the top floor with balcony and lake view, sweet!

    pm sent

    btw
    El penoso are you getting married to the girl that used to be in your avatar?
    Last edited by whorehey; 04-21-2009 at 12:06 PM.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Seattle
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    Quote Originally Posted by LandShark View Post
    What the hell is a slingshot?!?! I thought I knew all the crazy rope tow devices out there - Nz's nutcrackers being the worst. How's this thing work, 4 cats at a time pulled by...? Plotting a plan to invade SA this August myself, tentatively...
    Yes basically.

    Two lifts, 4 and 5 poma disks hung off aluminium bar dragged up avy path. Lift is expertly "driven" by mate sipping sadist who will upon request provide a thrilling variety of neck snapping take offs, crazed high speeds and sudden unloading sags.

    Good fun actually.



    Last edited by PNWbrit; 04-21-2009 at 11:51 AM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Downbound Train View Post
    And there will come a day when our ancestors look back...........

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