The ProAm SBX Team headed south to kick off the 2026-2027 competitive season in Corralco, Chile. The Andes Mountain Range got buried during the Southern Hemisphere winter, fueled by persistent atmospheric rivers and El Niño patterns that delivered some of its highest snowfall totals in decades. After a challenging past winter at home, it was a welcome sight to see Corralco Ski Resort, built on the southeastern side of the Lonquimay Volcano, covered in snow.
Getting to South America is neither quick nor easy, so Program Director Alex Deibold kick-started planning for this trip back in April. While this area of Southern Chile is remote compared to other South American training destinations, the four SSWSC athletes had the opportunity to train alongside riders from four additional snowboard programs based across North America. By collaborating with ISTC, Auburn Ski Club, Winter Park, and the Quebec Provincial team, SSWSC athletes were able to get on the track next to National Team members and NorAm Cup winners to help push their progression. Once the race bibs are on, it’s everyone for themselves, but this kind of cross-program teamwork beforehand provides a training environment that can help athletes push each other to find higher levels of performance and development.
While the snow was plentiful, it came with lots of precipitation both before and during the trip. There were a few weather days that allowed the kids to explore the local culture with visits to volcanic hot springs in the Malalcahuello and Curacautín areas, have meals prepared on parrillas, and drink far too much manjar milk.
After a week and a half of training, the SSWSC athletes capped off the trip with two South American Cups that had racers representing eight different countries. The first race was really about knocking the mental rust off after five months away from competition, and the athletes really stepped their game up in the second event. Dylan Tuttle and Cooper Malia both had their career-best Continental Cup results, making it to the semifinals and finishing 7th and 8th, respectively.
Story submitted by Snowboard Program Director Alex Deibold.
Dylan Tuttle, green bib, in the round of 16 during race 2.
Cooper Malia in the round of 16.
“Termas de Manzar” photo by Ethan Deters.
