There's simply no doubt about it, the Southern Hemisphere is the place to be right now. From Argentina and Chile, to New Zealand and Australia, our neighbors to the south are ripping it up this winter. Record snow fall has already created conditions that are even better then the past three seasons combined.

If the daily deep and steep aren't enough to pull you south, then experiencing a new culture and a new way of shredding should be.

In South America, the skiing and snowboarding is raw and radical. Shredders from all over the world gather to rip it up and ride together. Anything goes when shredding these areas, which made it the perfect location for the Volcom Avalanche contest.

The Volcom Avalanche event debuted in El Colorado, Chile and created a rambunctious representation of shredding in the South. Over 120 riders geared up to rally down 2,800 meters of powder, fluff, and dust on crust in a contest that tested speed, agility and overall radicalness.

Imagine the most extreme boardercross contest ever with over 120 dudes all vying for a prize purse of $200,000 Chilean Pesos and you get the Volcom Avalanche event. This type of contest would never fly in that states- its too raw. This made it even more amazing and adds fuel to our fire to be down south this summer.

Peep the video with all the winning wipeouts and and super satisfying South American shredding.



Volcom Avalanche El Colorado 2010 from El Colorado TV on Vimeo.

Words: El Colorado
The Volcom Avalanche took place on July 18th at El Colorado in Chile. Over 120 snowboarders began at the top of La Cornisa lift and made their way down about 2,800 meters to Los Zorros, Farellones.

During the race some of the riders were left behind because of the conditions but that didn't let the adrenaline rush fill them up with joy.

Men's first place went to Eduardo Arriarán. Eduardo won a surf board, Volcom and Red Bull prizes, and $100,000 Chilean pesos. Coming in second place was Rodrigo Díaz. Rodrigo won a Volcom BMX bike, $50,000 Chilean pesos and Volcom products and a four pack of Red Bull.

In the female category, the winner was Sabrina Burnham, who won $100.00 Chilean pesos, Volcom and Red Bull products. Second place was to Otton Irarrázabal, who won $50,000 plus Volcom products and a Red Bull four pack.
The afterparty took place at El Montañés Restaurant, where there were appetizers and cocktails for the riders.