Perfect Portillo
In a word Portillo Ski Resort is perfect. The resort has everything: challenging slopes, excellent instructors, a beautiful hotel and great ambiance – not at all pretentious as an upscale resort can be.
We spend a full week skiing and snowboarding at Portillo. Here is an example of my perfect day. Sleep in as late as possible – typically until 8:30am since everything seems to start an hour later in Chile than the U.S. Go to the cafeteria to fuel up on coffee and carbs. Ski lesson starts at 10:30am. The instructors are top-notch and I learn so much: pressing down on the lead ski, height change, knees apart and most important, “feel the snow”. While I take lessons, Paul skis and the kids snowboard. We have a leisurely lunch in the cafeteria which looks out on the mountain – amazing view! I spend the afternoon practicing what I learn in ski school. In enjoy skiing with my new friends, Ann and Sherry, two lovely ladies from Canada who share an intense passion for skiing.
After skiing, I go to stretch class to ease my sore muscles. Then, I take a long soak in one or both of the large Jacuzzis. This is also social hour and I meet interesting people from Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and the States, mostly Californians. Apres snowboard, the kids go to the warm swimming pool, tubing, game room to play ping pong and pool, or huge living room to relax. 7pm – adventure movie time in the cinema (check out “Man vs. Eiger” – amazing short film). Finally, time for dinner back in the cafeteria. The food is hearty and plentiful.
After dinner, Quinn plays hide and go seek in the hotel with his new friends. Connor likes to see a movie at the cinema. If Paul and I can keep our eyes open, we listen to a live band, sing karaoke (Paul only listens and laughs) and even dance at the disco. We finally collapse in our 4-bunk dorm room. Somehow, I get a top bunk which makes bathroom trips at 3am quite a challenge. (BTW – the resort has nice hotel rooms with gourmet meals in the fine dining room, but we opt for the budget accommodations.)
Portillo draws top skiers and boarders from all over the world, primarily due to the steep terrain. The lift to the expert slopes is called va con viente in Spanish (go with the wind), which is basically a 5-seat poma. At the beginning of the week, this is what I wrote to a friend: “The pomas whisk skiers straight up a steep mountain. The pomas are made just for Portillo. I took one yesterday during a lesson and screamed all the way up, much to the amusement of my ski instructor and fellow students. However, I suppose that the skiing made up for the terrifying ride. You would love it! Check it out – va et vient slingshot lifts: http://www.skiportillo.com/ingles/lifts. Per the website, ‘they… are actually quite simple and fun once given a try.’ Not true!” By the end of the week, I can go up the poma without being terrified, but am still shaking by the time I reach the top. Scary, but the great skiing is well worth it.
On a few of my va con viente excursions, I share the poma with famous skiers, Daron Rahlves (a Truckee local and ambassador for Sugar Bowl, my favorite CA resort) and Chris Benchetler (a Mammoth local and ski film actor extraordinaire). They are at Portillo for an Atomic ski photo shoot and I am intrigued in their lifestyle. How cool to get paid to ski! Both guys are very friendly and gracious when I request photos. Chris designed his skis, which would look great with my crazy purple and turquoise zebra striped ski pants. The designer skis will be available via Atomic next year, but I think will be out of my price range… You can check out a video of the guys at Portillo at Daron’s website: http://daronrahlves.hookit.com/members/daronrahlves/
Besides the slopes, Portillo is reknown for the food. Paul arranges for a tour of the kitchen with the Executive Chef. He is impressed with the operation and after the tour, our family gets served a gourmet meal of abalone, ostrich and decadent desert. The next day, several people comment about how Paul will cook that night. Due to the language barrier, Paul is not sure what is expected from him, but shows up at the kitchen at 6pm sharp with his knives, ready for anything. The Chef has Paul watch and taste every course – salmon tartare on Belgium endive, rack of lamb served with on squash and potato puree with a huckleberry sauce, and chocolate mousse torte. Paul greatly enjoys the experience.
On our last night, I participate in the torch light parade with the ski instructors and a few guests. We go up the chair lift and grab torches, then I notice that the instructors are rubbing their gloves and torches with snow. I ask why and they reply so that their gloves will not catch on fire. What?!!! I quickly do the same, then light my torch and race down the mountain, trying to stay with the parade without falling on the ice. I end up being the last to arrive since I refuse to go straight down at the end of the run. I suppose that I rather preserve my body than be cool…
All in all, a fantastic and memorable week! This experience is tied with the Galapagos as the best week of the trip. If Portillo gets more snow, we will go back before returning home. Think snow!
Tags: Chile
hwy1alltheway
Wonderful posts. Thank you.
term paper essay [url=https://ouressays.com/]research proposal help[/url] research proposal design
Amazing a good deal of excellent advice!
write my psychology research paper [url=https://ouressays.com/]buy term papers online[/url] research proposal dissertation
top essay editing service essay writing rewrite essay
You mentioned that well.
college research proposal https://ouressays.com/ writing a proposal for a research paper
cheap essay services help writing a essay for college outline essay example
drug information and news for professionals and consumers. Read here.
[url=https://tadalafil1st.online/#]cialis no script[/url]
Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side. Actual trends of drug.
decorative writing paper help writing a term paper research paper writing services
writing a paper in apa format buying papers online college online paper writing service
You reported it well!
apa research paper proposal https://ouressays.com/ i need a proposal writer
Truly a good deal of terrific information!
research paper outline help https://ouressays.com/ proposal paper
With thanks, Lots of postings!
find someone to write my paper https://essaypromaster.com/ apa papers for sale
Well expressed certainly. .
essay writer review https://essaypromaster.com/ paying someone to write a paper
Thanks! A good amount of stuff.
need to buy a research paper proposal thesis writing term paper help
With thanks, Quite a lot of material!
free cv writing service online https://topswritingservices.com/ resume writing services for customer service jobs
Truly plenty of terrific knowledge!
synthesis scanner not working [url=https://writingthesistops.com/]thesis on service sector in ethiopia post 1991[/url] rate my thesis
custom essays no plagiarism essay writers for hire persuasive essay writer
essay spanish slang professional custom essays i need help to write an essay
Whoa a good deal of fantastic knowledge!
cv writing service ireland https://topswritingservices.com/ writing essays service
You stated that exceptionally well!
professional custom essay writing service https://topswritingservices.com/ australia essay writing service
Drugs information sheet. п»їMedicament prescribing information.
[url=https://tadalafil1st.online/#]best tadalafil tablets in india[/url]
Top 100 Searched Drugs. Commonly Used Drugs Charts.
Comprehensive side effect and adverse reaction information. Read information now.
tadalafil 10mg generic
drug information and news for professionals and consumers. Commonly Used Drugs Charts.
You suggested that exceptionally well.
help me write my paper college paper writers how to write my paper
Thanks a lot, I appreciate this.
pay someone to write paper paper writer cheap write a paper
Kudos. Lots of info.
someone do my essay [url=https://essayssolution.com/]write my essay today reviews[/url] how i became a better writer essay
writing paper with picture box pdf i need help with writing a paper buy a term paper online
Lovely info, Thanks!
ap thesis https://writingthesistops.com/ thesis creater
free writing paper for kids cheap term paper writing service paper writing services for college students
where to buy research papers paper for fountain pen writing guidelines for writing research paper
writing tablet paper printable writing paper with picture box pdf writing a technical paper
Read here. Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe.
https://tadalafil1st.online/# 20mg cialis
Some trends of drugs. Read now.
Awesome info. Regards!
hire an essay writer [url=https://theessayswriters.com/]write my essay reddit[/url] smart essay writers
You suggested this very well!
write an email for me [url=https://theessayswriters.com/]how to write an about me bio for blog[/url] portrait of a writer essay
Thank you. Excellent information.
college essay writing service near me writing essays online online check writing service
Thanks. Great stuff!
write a essay on my college https://essayssolution.com/ write my vows for me
amazon writing paper tips for writing research paper how does the brainstorming technique of mapping help in writing a research paper?
Reliable stuff. Cheers.
anonymous essay writer https://essayssolution.com/ scholarship essay writers
Drug information. Long-Term Effects.
[url=https://tadalafil1st.com/#]buy tadalafil online no prescription[/url]
Everything information about medication. Everything what you want to know about pills.
What side effects can this medication cause? Drug information.
[url=https://tadalafil1st.com/#]cialis payment with paypal[/url]
Generic Name. п»їMedicament prescribing information.
Nicely put, Many thanks!
thesis statement research paper psychology thesis electronic thesis dissertation service ohio
Incredible tons of fantastic data.
customer service pdf thesis write a thesis statement for your argument professional thesis writing
Fantastic knowledge. Thank you!
write my python code for me https://theessayswriters.com/ i can t do my essay
Thanks, I enjoy it.
do my essay do my essay app how i grew as a writer essay
Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side. Some trends of drugs.
[url=https://propeciaf.store/]can you get cheap propecia price[/url]
[url=https://prednisoned.top/]prednisone 50[/url]
Best and news about drug. Drug information.
Thanks a lot. An abundance of forum posts.
affordable essay writer writing a persuasive essay write my narrative essay
Terrific posts. With thanks!
what should i do my persuasive essay on professional essay writers review essay writers online cheap
free halloween writing paper pay to do my paper writing a reflection paper
write my paper in apa format writing a policy paper dltk custom writing paper
writing a literature review for a dissertation writing your dissertation easiest phd without dissertation
online doctorate no dissertation anthropology dissertation dissertation review
drug information and news for professionals and consumers. earch our drug database.
[url=https://zithromaxa.fun/]generic zithromax india[/url]
[url=https://prednisoned.top/]buy prednisone mexico[/url]
Some trends of drugs. Drugs information sheet.