Skip to content
Outside
  • Watch
  • Learn
  • Podcasts
  • Maps
  • Events
  • Shop
  • New NFTs
  • O+

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Join Outside+ Create Free Account
Already have an account? Sign In
Outside Watch
Premium Films and Live TV
Campfire
Outside Learn
Expand your Skills with Online Courses
Podcasts
The Outside Podcast
Maps
Get the Free Gaia GPS App
Get the Free Trailforks App
Events
Find Your Event
New NFTs
Discover NFT Market
Outside+
See Membership Programs
Shop
Discover Outdoor Products
Advocacy
Find Your Good

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Join Outside+ Create Free Account
Already have an account? Sign In

Brands

Outdoor
  • Backpacker
  • Climbing
  • Fly Fishing Film Tour
  • Gaia GPS
  • National Park Trips
  • Outside
  • Outside Watch
  • Ski
  • Warren Miller Entertainment
Healthy Living
  • Clean Eating
  • Oxygen
  • Vegetarian Times
  • Yoga Journal
Endurance
  • Beta
  • Peloton Magazine
  • Roll Massif
  • Trail Runner
  • Triathlete
  • VeloNews
  • Women's Running
Industry
  • athleteReg
  • Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
  • FinisherPix
  • Idea
  • NASTAR
  • Outside Business Journal
  • Outside Shop
  • VeloPress
  • VeloSwap
Outdoor
  • Backpacker
  • Climbing
  • Fly Fishing Film Tour
  • Gaia GPS
  • National Park Trips
  • Outside
  • Outside Watch
  • Ski
  • Warren Miller Entertainment
Healthy Living
  • Clean Eating
  • Oxygen
  • Vegetarian Times
  • Yoga Journal
Endurance
  • Beta
  • Peloton Magazine
  • Roll Massif
  • Trail Runner
  • Triathlete
  • VeloNews
  • Women's Running
Industry
  • athleteReg
  • Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
  • FinisherPix
  • Idea
  • NASTAR
  • Outside Business Journal
  • Outside Shop
  • VeloPress
  • VeloSwap

Get 25% Off Outside+

The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures

SAVE NOW

Outside Online
  • Search
  • Gear
  • Adventure
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Food
  • Long Reads
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
  • Business Journal
  • Gear
  • Adventure
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Food
  • Long Reads
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
  • Business Journal
Outside Online
  • Gear
    • Gear News
    • Cars & Trucks
    • Apparel
    • Biking
    • Camping
    • Climbing
    • Hiking
    • Running
    • Snow Sports
    • Water Sports
    • Tools & Tech
    • Gear Picks
  • Adventure
    • Exploration & Survival
    • Environment
    • Everest
    • Biking
    • Climbing
    • Hiking
    • Snow Sports
    • Water Sports
  • Health
    • Nutrition
    • Training & Performance
    • Wellness
    • Running
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Travel Advice
    • Essays
    • News and Analysis
    • National Parks
  • Culture
    • Active Families
    • Books & Media
    • Essays
    • Love & Humor
    • Opinion
  • Food
    • Recipes
    • Drinks
    • Cooking Equipment
    • Food Culture
  • Long Reads
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Daily Rally
  • Business Journal
    • Advocacy
    • Brands
    • Issues
    • Opinion
    • Retailers
    • Trade Shows & Events
  • Outside Feed
  • Home
  • Member Exclusives
Adventure Biking

Pisco Sours, Sunshine, and El Nino in Portillo, Chile

Text by
The Editors
Twitter Icon
South America quickly became the focus of the ski world when a possible record breaking storm—think nearly 20 feet of powder—popped up on the radar late this summer. The Freeride World Tour even scheduled a last-minute qualifier in September to take advantage of the region’s snowfall. 

Just a few hours from Chile’s capital Santiago, the ski retreat of Portillo was in the heart of the storm. Colorado-based photographer Liam Doran had been watching the Weather Channel and asked pro skiers Sven Brunso and Amie Engerbretson to make the trip. Pisco sours, mountain-side hot tubs, good meals, and bluebird days forecasted after the storm made the decision easy. Here, Doran shares a few of his favorite shots and shows what an August ski vacation is supposed to look like.
(Liam Doran)

South America quickly became the focus of the ski world when a possible record breaking storm—think nearly 20 feet of powder—popped up on the radar late this summer. The Freeride World Tour even scheduled a last-minute qualifier in September to take advantage of the region’s snowfall.

Just a few hours from Chile’s capital Santiago, the ski retreat of Portillo was in the heart of the storm. Colorado-based photographer Liam Doran had been watching the Weather Channel and asked pro skiers Sven Brunso and Amie Engerbretson to make the trip. Pisco sours, mountain-side hot tubs, good meals, and bluebird days forecasted after the storm made the decision easy. Here, Doran shares a few of his favorite shots and shows what an August ski vacation is supposed to look like.

Amie Engerbretson enjoying the view from Tio Bobs. The restaurant is the only on-mountain dining option at Portillo and is superb. Try the Rogan burger if you aren’t too distracted by the views.
(Liam Doran)

Amie Engerbretson enjoying the view from Tio Bobs. The restaurant is the only on-mountain dining option at Portillo and is superb. Try the Rogan burger if you aren’t too distracted by the views.

The Portillo Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in South America and is a true classic. The idea of the FIS World Cup is even rumored to have hatched in the bar.
(Liam Doran)

The Portillo Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in South America and is a true classic. The idea of the FIS World Cup is even rumored to have hatched in the bar.

Ski Portillo only has 15 lifts for a huge array of terrain. Capped at 450 skiers a day, lift tickets sell for less than $50, but most people go for the all inclusive option and stay for the week, which can cost anywhere between $1,100 and $4,000.
(Liam Doran)

Ski Portillo only has 15 lifts for a huge array of terrain. Capped at 450 skiers a day, lift tickets sell for less than $50, but most people go for the all inclusive option and stay for the week, which can cost anywhere between $1,100 and $4,000.

If not asleep on the job, the local St. Bernard Radska can be found greeting skiers in front of the hotel and keeping watch on his skiing paradise.
(Liam Doran)

If not asleep on the job, the local St. Bernard Radska can be found greeting skiers in front of the hotel and keeping watch on his skiing paradise.

Brunso finding perfect powder high above Laguna de Inca and The Portillo Hotel.
(Liam Doran)

Brunso finding perfect powder high above Laguna de Inca and The Portillo Hotel.

Portillo is one of the most perfect pool and hot tub locations any of us have ever seen. The scene at the pool rotates between serene family time and party central.  No matter the vibe, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a beer after a full day of skiing.
(Liam Doran)

Portillo is one of the most perfect pool and hot tub locations any of us have ever seen. The scene at the pool rotates between serene family time and party central. No matter the vibe, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a beer after a full day of skiing.

Powder and blue skies. Brunso is understandably a fan of Portillo.
(Liam Doran)

Powder and blue skies. Brunso is understandably a fan of Portillo.

There’s plenty of history to be found along the basement walls of the Octogon, a less expensive option next to the main hotel with only a few rooms. National teams train here often with great support from the Portillo staff.
(Liam Doran)

There’s plenty of history to be found along the basement walls of the Octogon, a less expensive option next to the main hotel with only a few rooms. National teams train here often with great support from the Portillo staff.

The playful terrain surrounding Portillo gives skiers like Brunso ample options for fun lines. And if you’re not a pro skier, there are plenty of runs where both skis can stay on the ground.
(Liam Doran)

The playful terrain surrounding Portillo gives skiers like Brunso ample options for fun lines. And if you’re not a pro skier, there are plenty of runs where both skis can stay on the ground.

Filed to:
  • Chile

Read this next

An Unspoken Bond

By: Isabella Rosario

An Unspoken Bond

By: Isabella Rosario

Our Best Longform Stories of 2022

By: The Editors

Our Best Longform Stories of 2022

By: The Editors

Outside+

Outside Magazine January/February 2023 cover

Join Outside+ to get Outside magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more.

Learn More
Facebook Icon Twitter Icon Instagram Icon
Outside
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Licensing & Accolades
Healthy Living
  • Clean Eating
  • Oxygen
  • Vegetarian Times
  • Yoga Journal
Outdoor
  • Backpacker
  • Climbing
  • Fly Fishing Film Tour
  • Gaia GPS
  • National Park Trips
  • Outside
  • Outside TV
  • SKI
  • Warren Miller
Endurance
  • Beta MTB
  • CyclingTips
  • Fastest Known Time
  • Peloton
  • Pinkbike
  • Trailforks
  • Trail Runner
  • Triathlete
  • VeloNews
  • Women's Running
Industry
  • athleteReg
  • Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
  • FinisherPix
  • Inkwell
  • Nastar
  • Roam Media
  • Outside Books
  • Outside Events Cycling Series
  • Outside Shop
  • VeloSwap

© 2023 Outside Interactive, Inc