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Hotel Valle Nevado is the most exclusive lodging option, gym, fitness center with sauna and massage, disco, a bar
offering ski-in/ski-out access. It is home to La Fourchette, with live music, game room and children’s activities.
a gourmet restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine and
Chilean wines. Hotel Puerta del Sol is geared toward families Portillo is an excellent family resort with a well-regarded ski
and friends sharing rooms, with access to an outdoor heated school, and there are gentle slopes for beginners near the
pool, cinema, cybercafe, sushi bar and buffet-style restaurant. hotel. Fifteen percent of Portillo’s runs are rated beginner,
Three apartment buildings have units that accommodate while 30 percent are intermediate, another 30 percent
two to eight guests. (vallenevado.com) advanced and 25 percent expert.

Portillo, known for its steep terrain, is South America’s The resort’s 35 runs, the longest of which is 1.5 miles, are
oldest ski resort. A self-contained resort with a private club groomed nightly and connected by 14 lifts, two of which
feel, it is free of commercial distractions. A maximum of open up off-piste areas. There is never a lift line. Altitude at
400 guests are cared for by 450 employees. Most guests the highest ski point is 10,860 feet. Vertical drop is 2,500
stay the week, beginning on Saturday, and take advantage feet. Heli-skiing (also offered at Valle Nevado) in fresh-pow-
of all-inclusive rates. You might run into athletes from the der areas is available from late July through September.
U.S., Canadian and Austrian national ski teams. (skiportillo.com)

The 123-room Grand Hotel Portillo, the high-end lodging Termas Chillan Ski & Spa Resort, about 50 miles from
choice, along with the economical Octagon Lodge and the city of Chillan and 300 miles south of Santiago, is the
hostel-type Inca Lodge, all offer ski-in/ski-out access largest ski resort in Southern Chile. It offers 32 runs served by
(base 9,450 feet). Suites and sixth-floor double rooms in 11 lifts on the slopes of Chillan Volcano (10,243 feet). The
the sunflower-yellow hotel have balconies affording views terrain is suited to intermediates with trails winding along the
of Lake Inca and surrounding peaks, plus larger bathrooms. volcano’s ridge. Unlike resorts in the north, it has a fair
Guests eat most meals in the hotel’s main dining room, amount of tree skiing. Termas de Chillan’s resort hotel,
while slopeside Tio Bob’s is available for lunch. Other famous for its outdoor thermal pools and spa, is the ideal place
amenities include an outdoor pool and hot tub, a full-court to ease tired muscles after a day of skiing. (termaschillan.cl)

www.skicmsc.com 2011/2012 DIRECTORY MIDWEST SKIER 11