Previewing Ski Portillo's 75th Anniversary Season With GM Miguel Purcell

Ski Portillo is Chile's oldest and most well-known ski resort. The iconic yellow hotel, stunning views, and wacky lifts have been etched into the minds of skiers over the last three quarters of a century.

Winter 2024 is Ski Portillo's 75th Anniversary season. To kick things off, the resort opened weeks ahead of schedule after Fall storms dumped upwards of 4 feet of snow. Saturday, June 1st, 2024 was the first day of the season (see below).

Ski Portillo will operate weekends only through Sunday, June 16th. Afterwards, the resort will transition to daily operations. The hotel opens on June 20th.

Considering the monumental occasion of the resort's 75th Anniversary, we reached out to Ski Portillo officials to preview the upcoming season.

The following is an excerpt from email communications with Ski Portillo's General Manager Miguel Purcell.

Ski Portillo 75th Anniversary- Miguel Purcell Q&A

What has been the driving force behind Portillo's success over the last 75 years?

"The uniqueness of the Portillo experience - a small, family-owned and ran resort that is different from today’s large ski conglomerates. The employees and guests that visit, both new and old come together for their love of the mountains and create memories here that bring them back. The tradition and life-long memories are the heart of Portillo."

What would you say to convince an American skier who has been debating a South America/Portillo trip for years?

"If it is good enough for Warren Miller and the world’s best and most avid skiers and snowboarders for 75 years…..it is good enough for you. I would like to invite skiers and snowboarders who haven’t been to Portillo to join us this season, it is an experience like no other and you will love it."

Is June 1st Portillo's earliest opening ever?

"Not quite…..but it is early for our recent past. The last time we opened this early was in 1995."

What has it been like to live through these historic early-season storms?

"To see Portillo transform from summer to full-on winter is amazing. To see it happen on this date is even better. We are excited for a winter with amazing ski conditions."

What kind of terrain will skiers experience on the first few weekends before the resort fully opens towards the end of the month?

"This year we have been blessed with excellent early snow and there will be a mix of terrain available for every level of skiers and snowboarder."

Stay tuned in here at POWDER Magazine for all updates and news related to Ski Portillo and the rest of the South American ski industry.

Related: Ski Portillo, Chile to Open Nearly a Month Earlier Than Planned

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