There are plenty of unique backcountry ski routes around the world, but this one at Portillo, Chile, requires more than just a lift ride and a short hike. Skier KJ Read made his way to this unusual route chute that requires a walk through a dark, abandoned train tunnel. Read shared the adventure in a recent video, demonstrating just how unusual it really is.
An Unusual Route to a Ski Line at Portillo
Ski Portillo was built near an old railway corridor connecting Argentina and Chile, leaving tunnels scattered throughout the surrounding mountain valley. One tunnel can even be accessed directly from the ski resort, but Read and his crew set their sights on a different backcountry chute that required considerably more effort to reach.
A Dark Walk Through an Abandoned Train Tunnel
There’s two ways to access the line. The first involved touring toward Argentina before skiing back down toward the tunnel. The group instead chose to follow the old railway tracks below the hotel and cross the international highway to reach the tunnel entrance.
Once inside the tunnel, the group faced an even more unusual challenge. They needed to find a small ventilation shaft that would allow them to exit the tunnel and reach the chute above. With limited light, icy railway tracks, and rocks scattered along the ground, missing the exit would have meant walking all the way back out.
Fortunately they managed to spot the rocky climb leading to the shaft anbd were able to climb out onto the slope (in ski boots, mind you).
Unfortunately the snow on the other side was less than ideal, mashed potatoes conditions, but after assessing and deciding it was safe, they made their way down one at a time. Getting back to the resort was much easier, crossing the road and making a short push back to the chairlift.