When the Andes Let Loose
Summer skiing in South America! Located just 90 minutes from Santiago, Chile is South America’s premier ski resort, Valle Nevado
If you ever wondered what Mother Nature looks like in full send, the Andes just gave us a show. Valle Nevado and its neighboring playgrounds got absolutely buried: over 110 cm in five days, including a jaw-dropping 81 cm in just 24 hours as of August 22 at 9 AM MST. Overnight, parking lots turned into avalanche zones, and the #StokeLevel was rising fast.
Meteorologist Luke Stone called it a "wild Wednesday night," followed immediately by another punch on Thursday as a cold front barreled through. The storm lingered until Friday, and when the bullwheels finally started to spin again, skiers were #Stoked to chase that fresh blanket.
A Storm Worthy of Legends
This wasn't just a mid-winter teaser. After a dry stretch, the faucet opened wide. Portillo in Chile recorded 81 cm, while Las Leñas in Argentina measured 61 cm during the same period. The Montana-based Entourage crew had to pivot as the backcountry was sketchy, so they scouted street lines until the resorts dug out and fired up the bullwheels.
Forecast & Reality Check
The snow train hit hard, but it's not an endless ride. Warmer, wetter systems are pushing in, raising snow levels and mixing rain into the base zones. A weaker system may flicker through at the end of the month, but September's setup is still on shaky ground. The #StokeLevel was on the rise, but don't chase plane tickets on hype alone.
My Takeaway
This storm is the reminder we all need: winter can flip the switch overnight. One day it's dry, the next you've got nearly a meter of fresh and resorts digging out just to get the bullwheels spinning again.
That's why we don't wait for snow to get ready. KSEF's Dry-Land Training launches September 18th at South Shore CrossFit. Led by Athletic Director Kylese Markt—a Nor-Am alum and certified sports psych expert alongside the KSEF Head Coaching staff, this program is where athletes build the strength and endurance to answer when Mother Nature calls.
Do the work now. Be ready when the #BullwheelsBeginToSpin at KirkwoodMtn!
#StokeLevelRising #KSEFStrong
