Chile is a country of stunning and breathtaking landscapes from the lakes and fjords of Patagonia to the salt flats and oases of the Atacama Desert. Most people who travel to Chile on holiday visit in the summer months (November to March), but if you enjoy deep powder snow, uncrowded runs and all round excellent skiing conditions, then a ski trip to Chile should figure in your holiday plans for this summer.

The magnificent Andes Mountains run the length of the county providing many good opportunities for summer skiing. Most of the ski resorts are within easy reach of the capital, Santiago, the most famous of which is Portillo.

Portillo is 102 miles from Santiago on the international road to Mendoza. It is the only ski resort in South America to have hosted a world championship event and downhill speed records have been broken on its slopes over the years. The location is outstandingly beautiful, high in the Andes sitting beside Laguna del Inca and surrounded by mountain peaks.

There are three places to stay: the four star Hotel Portillo, which has 123 rooms and two less expensive alternatives, the Octagon Lodge and the Inca Lodge. The hotel is excellent; guests can enjoy the great facilities in a relaxed and family friendly atmosphere. On the mountain there are 17 runs: 3 beginners, 4 intermediate, 6 advanced and 4 expert.

Portillo vital statistics:

Vertical drop: 2,664 feet
Longest run: 2 miles
Altitude of Hotel: 9,350 feet
Altitude at highest ski point: 10,859 feet
Average annual snowfall: 20 feet
Chance for sunny day: 80%
Ski -in, Ski - out access from hotel and lodges to slopes

Chile is a long way for most people to go for a skiing holiday, but if you do decide to escape northern hemisphere summer you can make the most of the long trip by taking a few days to see some of the wonders that Chile has on offer, like Easter Island or the Atacama Desert. Skiing one day, exploring an Inca site in the desert the next, only in Chile!