Events, Ryan Knapton
Carving the Andes 2026: A Summer Snowboard Camp in Chile for Riders Who Want to Progress
Apr
If you’ve ever wanted to keep your snowboard season going through the summer while improving your carving with high-level coaching, Carving the Andes 2026 should be on your radar.
Hosted at El Colorado Resort in Chile, Carving the Andes is a unique summer snowboard camp built for riders who want to improve their technique, ride with purpose, and spend a full week focused on progression. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your turns, get more comfortable laying down clean carves, or simply ride in one of the most scenic mountain settings in the world, this event offers something hard to find anywhere else.
For snowboarders serious about carving, this is more than just a trip — it’s a chance to ride, learn, and progress in the Andes with some of the most recognizable names in the carving community.
What Is Carving the Andes?
Carving the Andes is a week-long snowboard coaching camp in Chile designed around skill development, rider feedback, and community.
The 2026 event is divided into three separate weekly camp blocks, each offering a structured on-snow experience with a small group of riders. With only 20 spots available per week, the camp is intentionally limited to keep coaching personal and effective.
Each week begins on Sunday with a registration meet-and-greet and runs through Friday, with five full days of instruction from Monday to Friday.
This format gives riders the opportunity to settle in, get organized, and spend the week focused on what matters most: better carving, better riding, and more confidence on snow.
Where Is Carving the Andes Held?
The event takes place at El Colorado Resort, located in the Andes Mountains above Santiago, Chile.
For riders searching for snowboarding in Chile, El Colorado is one of the best-known resort zones in South America and a prime destination for Northern Hemisphere riders looking to keep the season alive during summer.
Because Chile’s winter runs opposite the North American season, August in Chile means real snowboard conditions while it’s summer back home. That makes Carving the Andes a perfect option for riders who want to maintain momentum, train in the off-season, or simply experience a different kind of mountain trip.
And beyond the snow itself, riding in the Andes offers something special: high alpine terrain, dramatic scenery, and the kind of mountain environment that makes every day on snow feel memorable.
What’s Included in Carving the Andes 2026?
One of the best things about Carving the Andes is that the event is built to keep riders focused on progression instead of logistics.
Each registration includes:
- 5 days of snowboard coaching
- 5 lift tickets to El Colorado Resort
- Breakfast and lunch
- Evening feedback sessions with instructors
- Support with boards and equipment setup
- A structured week built around carving improvement
The evening feedback sessions are a major part of the experience. Riders don’t just spend the day on snow and head home — they also get direct coaching off the hill, where instructors break down technique and help identify areas for improvement.
That combination of on-snow repetition and off-snow feedback is what makes this kind of snowboard camp especially valuable for riders trying to make real progress.
Who Coaches at Carving the Andes?
A big reason many riders are interested in this event is the chance to learn from respected names in snowboard carving.
The 2026 coaching team includes:
- Ryan Knapton – Master Carver and snowboard legend. Ryan will be coaching in every block and will be able to have one-on-one time with everyone
- Mellen Jay – One of the most highly qualified instructor examiners in the sport, she quite literally helps write the manuals for snowboarding.
- Additional experienced coaches and instructors throughout the event
For many riders, the chance to ride in a camp environment with Ryan Knapton is a major draw. If you’ve followed carving content online or been inspired by the modern resurgence in laid-out carving and clean edge control, you already know why this matters.
At the same time, this isn’t just about watching great riders — it’s about learning from them in a way that helps you ride better yourself.
To help each group progress together, riders are sorted after registration so instruction can be matched as effectively as possible.
Carving the Andes 2026 Dates
The 2026 season is split into three event weeks:
Block 1 – Best Choice for Alpine/Hardbooting Riders
August 2–8, 2026
Instruction runs August 3–7
Coach Team A: Mellon Jay and Marisa McKellar Coach Team B: Matt Larson and Dave Redman
Best choice for alpine riders, as Matt and Dave specialize in alpine riding. Great pick for female riders, as some from the East Coast Lady Boarders crew will be attending too.
Block 2
August 9–15, 2026
Instruction runs August 10–14
Coach Team A: Mellon Jay and Marisa McKellar Coach Team B: Jessie Druxerman and Lars Horstmann
Soft boot carvers prepare for some of the best in the game to boost your progression and open new levels.
Block 3
August 16–22, 2026
Instruction runs August 17–21
Coach Team A: Mellon Jay and Ryan Knapton Coach Team B: Jessie Druxerman and Lars Horstmann
Hone your skills with the best in the carving game and top-level instructors/examiners in snowboarding.
Each week starts on Sunday with a 5:00 PM registration meet-and-greet, and ends with a Friday farewell party. Guests are encouraged to plan departure for Saturday.
Because there are only 20 slots per week, riders interested in attending should not wait too long to secure a spot.
How Much Does Carving the Andes Cost?
The total cost for Carving the Andes 2026 is:
$2,980 USD + 6% tax
For riders considering a snowboard camp in Chile, that price includes a strong amount of value when you consider the coaching, lift access, meals, and personalized feedback built into the week.
Participants are responsible for their own:
- flights
- accommodations
- transportation to and from the resort
That flexibility allows riders to tailor the trip to their own travel style and budget.
Where Should You Stay for Carving the Andes?
The event is based in El Colorado / Farellones, a small ski town in the Andes.
Participants are responsible for arranging their own lodging, which gives you the freedom to choose what works best for your trip. Many riders look at:
- Airbnb
- Booking.com
- Local travel support through Andeski
Staying in or near Farellones is usually the most convenient option, especially given the mountain road conditions and the early start times common during riding weeks.
If you’re planning a Chile snowboard trip, booking accommodations early is a smart move — especially if you want to stay close to the resort.
Transportation Tips for El Colorado
Getting to El Colorado is part of the adventure, but it’s worth planning carefully.
The resort sits high above Santiago, and the access road can be steep, winding, and heavily controlled depending on weather and traffic. On many days, traffic is restricted to one-way uphill in the morning and one-way downhill in the evening.
Transportation options include:
- shuttle services
- private transport
- Uber
- rental car (snow chains may be required)
If you’re traveling from abroad for a snowboard trip to Chile, sorting your transportation before arrival will make the week much easier.
Who Is Carving the Andes For?
Carving the Andes is ideal for snowboarders who want more than just a vacation.
This camp is a great fit for riders who want to:
- improve carving technique
- build stronger edge control
- ride with more precision and confidence
- learn from experienced coaches
- keep progressing during the Northern Hemisphere off-season
It’s especially appealing to riders who are already inspired by carving-focused snowboarding, whether that means alpine snowboarding, free carving, or simply wanting to make cleaner, more powerful turns.
If you’re searching for a snowboard carving camp, summer snowboard coaching, or a snowboard camp with Ryan Knapton, this is one of the most unique opportunities available in 2026.
Why Southern Hemisphere Snowboarding Matters
One of the biggest advantages of attending a snowboard camp in Chile is timing.
For riders in North America, Europe, and much of the Northern Hemisphere, August is usually the middle of the off-season. That means skills can plateau, fitness can dip, and momentum from the winter can fade.
A trip like Carving the Andes gives riders a chance to stay connected to their snowboarding, improve with purpose, and come back into the next winter stronger than before.
Instead of waiting months to ride again, you can spend a week on snow in the Andes doing exactly what you love.
How to Register for Carving the Andes 2026
Spots for Carving the Andes 2026 are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.
If you’re interested in joining, the best move is to reach out early and request your preferred week.
To register or learn more:
reservations@carvingtheandes.com
You can also visit the event website for additional details:
www.carvingtheandes.com
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of snowboard trips out there — but very few are built specifically around carving progression, coaching, and summer riding in Chile.
That’s what makes Carving the Andes 2026 stand out.
If your goal is to ride more, carve better, and spend a week immersed in progression with a small crew of passionate riders, this is the kind of experience worth making happen.
And if you’ve been looking for a reason to snowboard in August, this might be the best one you’ll find.
