From Lois Friedland,
Your Guide to Adventure Travel.
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While the ski slopes are green in North America in July and August it's cold in Portillo, Chile and the lifts are running. Every summer in South America there's a parade of ski weeks ranging from clinics led by freeride and extreme skiing champions to a Mountain Fest for sports enthusiasts and family weeks in Portillo, a ski resort in Chile's Andes Mountains. Prime, for adventurous skiers and riders, are the week-long clinics for freestyle skiers who want to learn from superstars how to ski the steep and deep better and more safely. You need to be an expert skier (which means truly comfortable on black diamond terrain, and in some cases double-black diamond slopes) to participate in these clinics.

Surrounded by Snow-Clad Peaks

Portillo is a ski resort where visitors have the freedom to explore the surrounding slopes, including high avalanche chutes, but are tied into the nightlife at the resort's primary hotel. Staying here has been likened to a huge house party. During the apres-ski hours, guests get to spend time chatting with the pros and befriending other skiers equally eager to tackle the steep stuff.

Ski Weeks for Mountain Enthusiasts and Families

New this year is Mountain Fest, July 28-August 4, designed for mountain and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Acivities include the Portillo Ice Fest, lectures and other activities related to mountain sport.

This summer there are three weeks in July designed for families. The package includes a variety of family friendly activities designed to help strengthen family ties.

This summer there will be three terrific weeks for extreme skiers. The Ski With the Superstars week and extreme skier Kim Reichhelm's Ski Adventures.

Visit Ski Portillo for more information about the ski weeks.