Pool Jumping in Portillo...

So it has been quite the interesting week here in Portillo. As I already mentioned, we've recently seen numerous "superstars" of skiing roaming the halls (and the slopes) and believe me, they wasted no time during their stay. They've taken advantage of everything the hotel has to offer, including the swimming pool.

For some reason, the pool at the hotel has always fascinated people a bit more than your average resort pool. Maybe because it looks out over the Laguna del Inca or because the deck actually gets warm enough sometimes to sunbathe, but people seem to flock there, and it isn't all that uncommon to see some seriously interesting behavior.

Before I ever stepped foot here I had seen YouTube videos of the Norwegian ski team doing flips into the pool. Last week the Spyder crew used one of the Austrian ski team's snowmobiles to tow them over a jump into the pool. Then... to top it all off, pro-skier Colby West actually jumped out of a helicopter, in full ski gear, into the pool. Apparently you will eventually be able to see this in the upcoming Warren Miller film. Luckily, I got to sit about 30 yards away and see the whole thing first hand. Pretty darn cool...

The helicopter actually landed in the area where ski school meets, which is no more than 30 yards from the hotel. The athletes climbed in (a door had to be removed for easier exit) and they were off. After a quick circle around the area, the helicopter began to hover over the pool. Colby climbed out and actually worked his way around until he was hanging from one of the legs of the chopper. A little alignment was done, and then drop! Of course he popped out of the pool with all his gear totally unscathed. And then apparently the first time they were a little low so he actually had to repeat this incredibly stunt from a higher position. I guess that's why he's the pro...

(Due to some technical difficulties I'm currently unable to upload the video of this jump but if you check out the Ski Portillo Facebook page, you should be able to watch it there!)