Basecamp Podcast: Chilling in Chile with Portillo’s Maureen Poschman and Carol Breen

When it comes to starting the season, skiers are like horses chomping at the bit in the starting gate waiting to get back out on snow. It does not matter if we know there are only a couple trails available, most of the people you see in the lift line in April are the same ones you see in November and early December. It has been a while since New England ski areas have been able to hit the ground running. Killington, the standard for being first to spin lifts around here, has not had an October opening since 2018. Even worse, the last couple years have seen rain leading into or during the critical Christmas week, with Sunday River nearly being washed out last December. Just imagine what it would be like to pull up to your favorite mountain on the first day of the season and have it in prime condition with everything open. That’s what kind of season it has been at Portillo in Chile, which opened in late June and will close on September 28 – so there’s still a chance to get a piece of the action for yourself with an all-inclusive package. Wide open slopes with magnificent views of the jagged Andes Mountains and the crystal blue water of Laguna del Inca its like a personal playground. In the most recent episode of New England Ski Journal Basecamp Podcast, host Mike Specian and Chip Cook spoke with Maureen Poschman and Carol Breen of Promo Communications, which markets Ski Portillo, and they discussed what skiing is like on the other side of the Equator. Watch the pod:   Highlights from this edition of the Basecamp podcast: What it has been like getting this winter after so much snow before the lifts started: “People are having amazing skiing and skiing runs that haven’t been skied in years. It’s really incredible.” – Maureen Poschman How South America’s oldest ski resort, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, has stood the test of time: “A big reason why our guests continue to come is because of how little it changes. We have employees and guests that have been with us for over 50 years, so we’re looking forward to celebrating all that history with them.” – Carol Breen Listen: