Ski Portillo

Chile

In both 2019 and 2023, I had the privilege of being commissioned as a ski photographer for Ski Portillo—one of South America’s most iconic and remote ski destinations. Perched high in the Chilean Andes near the border with Argentina, Portillo is not just a resort—it’s an experience. With towering peaks, deep blue alpine lakes, and wide-open powder fields, it’s a dream location for adventure and ski photography.

www.skiportillo.com

Ski Photography in Chile's Andes

As both an athlete and photographer, I’m drawn to places where the natural world feels raw and powerful. Portillo, with its high-altitude terrain and striking volcanic landscapes, offers that in every direction. Over two different winters, I captured everything from fast-paced action shots on steep couloirs to still, quiet moments at sunrise as the mountain slowly came to life.

Snow-covered mountains surrounding a frozen lake with a lodge and ski lifts in a winter landscape at sunset or sunrise.
Snow is falling outside the entrance of Hotel Portillo, a wooden building with a stone base and yellow walls, surrounded by snow.
A skier in a yellow jacket jumps above a snowy mountain landscape with a lake and tall snow-covered peaks in the background.
Snow-covered mountain with ski lift cables and chairs during snowfall.
People on ski lift in snowy mountain landscape with frozen lake and snow-covered peaks
Two skiers in colorful gear standing on snow-covered ground near a mountain lake with snow-capped peaks and a clear blue sky in the background.

Telling the Story of a Legendary Resort

My role in Portillo wasn’t just about documenting turns and terrain—it was about capturing a feeling. The deep camaraderie of athletes and guides. The intensity of stormy weather rolling in over Laguna del Inca. The brilliant colors of golden hour hitting the hotel’s iconic yellow facade. Every frame was an invitation for viewers to feel what it’s like to be there.

Many of these images were used in Ski Portillo’s marketing campaigns, social media, and editorial features, helping to share the resort’s world-class skiing and welcoming culture with a global audience. This kind of work allows me to combine expedition storytelling, brand collaboration, and landscape photography in a way that’s both commercial and deeply personal.

A yellow hotel building with a blue section, set against snowy mountains with cloudy skies.
Two people in winter gear enjoying a meal at an outdoor wooden table on a snowy mountain ski resort. They are smiling and holding drinks, with snow-covered mountains and ski slopes in the background.
People relaxing in an outdoor hot tub on a snowy balcony overlooking a snowy mountain lake at sunset.
Two people in colorful ski gear riding a ski lift chair on a snowy day with snow falling heavily.
Skier in yellow jacket standing on snowy mountain slope with rocky outcrop, snow-covered peaks and a building in the distance under a clear blue sky.
Colorful hotel building with yellow, blue, and brown sections, snow and icicles on the facade, snow falling in a winter scene.

The Andes, Adventure, and Artistic Vision

As a Colorado-based photographer used to working in the Rocky Mountains, photographing in the Andes offers a new scale of wilderness—bigger peaks, higher elevation, and a ruggedness that pushes both athletes and photographers to new creative heights. Whether I was skiing with clients or capturing behind-the-scenes moments of a commercial shoot, I always sought to frame the environment in a way that honors its power.

You can explore more of my mountain photography work in the Aspen Snowmass and Snowmass Tourism collections. These galleries reflect a similar ethos—photographing not just scenery, but the deep emotion of wild, remote places.

A skier in a yellow jacket skiing down a steep snow-covered mountain slope near a rocky cliff, with a mountain lake and snow-covered mountains in the background.
Two people snowboarding on a snowy mountain slope between steep, rocky snow-covered cliffs.
Four skiers in colorful jackets and helmets preparing to descend a snowy mountain slope with ski tracks and a snow-covered peak in the background.
Snow-covered mountains surrounding a dark lake under a star-filled night sky with visible Milky Way galaxy
Snow-covered mountainous landscape with a yellow building, smaller houses, a frozen lake, and ski lifts in a remote area.
A skier in yellow jacket skiing down a snowy mountain slope towards a lake with snow-covered mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
Snow-covered winding mountain road with vehicles in a mountainous landscape.
A skier dressed in red skiing down a snowy mountain slope with rugged, snowy cliffs in the background.
Two skiers in colorful gear enjoying a snowy mountain slope under a clear blue sky.
A snow-covered mountain landscape with a person skiing near a blue lake, and tall snow-capped peaks under a clear blue sky.
A person skiing down a snowy slope, kicking up snow and wearing a black helmet and goggles.
Snow-covered mountain landscape with two people climbing a rocky slope, a lake below, and a building complex near the water in the distance.
Black and white photo of a snow-covered mountain landscape with a dark lake, steep mountain slopes, and ski lift chairs.
People riding a ski lift over a snow-covered mountain terrain with a partially frozen lake in the background.
Skier performing a jump into a snow-covered ski resort with mountains and a lake in the background.
A skier climbing a steep, rocky snow-covered slope near a colorful mountain resort with multiple buildings and ski lifts.
Snow-covered mountains surrounding a lake in a winter landscape, with a wooden sign pointing to Juncalillo, Gas Lomas, and Plateau.
An outdoor swimming pool covered in snow with falling snowflakes and a foggy, snow-filled sky in the background.
A view from a ski lift over a snowy landscape with a small lake, ski slope, and a building complex in the distance.
Snow falling at Hotel Portillo, a yellow and brown alpine-style hotel with snow covering the roof and ground, and a person in blue cleaning snow from the entrance.
Children skiing on a snowy mountain slope during a ski race, with numbered bibs 38 and 39, ski gates set up along the course, and a rocky mountain backdrop.
Snow falling over a snowy mountain with a ski lift in the foreground.
Outdoor restaurant with wooden tables and red chairs on snow, surrounded by snow-covered mountains and clouds, with people dressed in winter clothing sitting and standing.
A skier in a yellow jacket and black helmet skiing down a steep snow-covered slope near a mountain lake.
Outdoor dining area on a snowy mountain with red chairs and wooden tables, mountain range in the background, clear blue sky.
A snow-covered landscape with groomed ski tracks and snow-capped mountains in the background.
Snow-covered mountain peaks with rocky faces, clouds, and mist in the background.
Snow-covered mountain landscape with a calm lake at the center reflecting the surrounding peaks. A yellow hotel and several small buildings are at the base of the mountains, with ski lifts visible on the slopes. The sky is tinged with pink and purple
Snow-covered mountain landscape with ski lift chairs and a ski slope, partially obscured by fog and clouds.
Snowplow trucks clearing a winding snow-covered road through a mountain landscape.
Ski lift chairs ascending over a snowy mountain with multiple ski tracks in the snow below.
A skier in red gear skiing down a snowy mountain slope, leaving a trail of snow behind.
A skier in orange gear skiing down a snowy mountain slope near a mountain lake with snow-covered peaks in the background.
Snow-covered mountain landscape with a gray lake in the valley. There is a yellow building and several smaller structures near the water, with ski lifts and snow in the foreground.

Portillo’s 75th anniversary

I was commissioned to edit Portillo’s 75th anniversary video using their archival footage and some of my own footage.

Let’s Collaborate on Your Next Mountain Story

Whether you're a tourism board, brand, or athlete, I offer custom expedition photography and videography services tailored to high-alpine environments. From ski resorts to remote backcountry lines, I bring a mix of commercial experience, artistic vision, and technical mountain skills to every shoot.

If you're interested in licensing imagery from my work in Chile, or want to collaborate on an upcoming project in the Andes or Patagonia, get in touch — I'd love to hear from you.

Snow-covered mountain landscape with a lake, ski lift, and illuminated snowcat at sunset or sunrise, pink and purple sky.
Snow-covered mountain landscape with a mountain lake and two chairlifts crossing above the water, surrounded by steep, rugged peaks under a clear blue sky.
A person skiing on groomed snow with snow-covered mountains in the background and a dark sky.
A person in a red jacket and black helmet snowboarding in a snowy mountain landscape with a blue lake in the background, and a Texas flag near the snow.
Nighttime view of a snow-covered mountain landscape with a winding illuminated ski trail and a building at the base, under a starry sky with visible star trails.
Skier in black jacket and white helmet skiing downhill on snow with spray and snow dust around, black background.
Snow-covered mountains reflected in a calm lake at sunset with pink and purple sky.
Nighttime mountain landscape with snow-covered peaks and a star-filled sky
Two women sitting on rocks outdoors in a snowy mountain area, smiling and drinking beverages. One is wearing a striped shirt, beanie, and sunglasses; the other wears a red jacket, grey beanie, and sunglasses. A large yellow building, snow-covered mou
Two people clinking glasses of champagne outdoors, with snowy mountains in the background.
Group of six llamas grazing on a snowy mountain landscape with a glacier and rugged terrain in the background.
People enjoying a spray of water on a sunny day, with two women in the foreground dancing and smiling, surrounded by water droplets in the air.
Skier in blue gear and pink helmet skiing downhill on snowy mountain with bright sky and ski lift equipment in background.
A skier in a black helmet and blue ski suit navigates through a slalom race course on a snow-covered slope, with colorful gates and a person in dark clothing standing in the background.
Snow-covered mountains flank a calm, dark lake under a colorful sunset sky with pink and purple clouds.
A ski lift descending a snowy mountain with rugged, snow-covered peaks under a clear blue sky, and a few buildings visible in the distance.
Snow-covered mountain with ski lift cables and chairs against a blue sky.
A cable car with a person inside, suspended above a sparkling body of water, illuminated by sunlight.
Group of people celebrating with champagne outdoors in snowy mountain landscape with blue sky
Snowy mountain landscape with groomed ski slope, bright sun in the sky, and rugged mountains in the background.
Two women sitting on a rock in a snowy mountain landscape, enjoying drinks, with snowshoes on the snow in the foreground.
Three people practicing yoga outdoors on a wooden deck with snowy mountains and a lake in the background.
Night view of Hotel Portillo with lit windows, snow on the ground, and mountains in the background under a starry sky.
A bartender pours a drink into champagne flutes in a lively bar with several people in the background.
A mountain landscape at sunset with a snow-covered slope leading to a large lake surrounded by snow-covered mountains. In the foreground, there are two outdoor hot tubs and a swimming pool with people enjoying the water, enclosed by a wooden fence. S
People enjoying outdoor hot tubs and swimming pools at a mountain resort during sunset, with snow-covered mountains in the background.
Empty ski slope at night under a starry sky with visible Milky Way and ski lift chairs along the right side.
A white coffee cup with the logo of Portillo Chile on it, placed on a saucer with a spoon, on a wooden surface. In the background, snow-covered mountains and a cloudy sky are visible.