FIS CAMP- South America Chile July, 2019

FIS CAMP- South America Chile July, 2019. Photo Courtesy: FIS Camp, Chino Martinez.

FIS CAMP- South America Chile July, 2019

By Chino Martinez- Coach and Pro Skier

The FIS Camp is a classic event every season, with one version in Europe and one in South America.  The International Ski Federation supports this fantastic camp to create the future World Champions and FIS racers from all over the world.

FIS CAMP- South America Chile July, 2019. Photo Courtesy: FIS Camp, Chino Martinez.
FIS CAMP- South America Chile July, 2019. Photo Courtesy: FIS Camp, Chino Martinez.

16 kids, ladies and men spent 21 days in a ski resort in South America; this year it was the chance for EL Colorado, in Chile at the base of the Andes to host the camp. El Colorado is located one hour from Santiago City. It is a great ski resort, with lots of experience in ski racing and race training, which hosted many amazing athletes over the years of the likes of Ilka Stuhec, Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin.

The FIS race camp is about skiing and much more: the camaraderie between the kids and coaches while staying at the same Hotel and sharing ideas and techniques is invaluable and creates a great vibe for the entire group.From 6;45 am breakfast is served, in order to start skiing at 7:30 am for 3-4 hours. Then is time for lunch all together, with a second short session in the afternoon.

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Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America

Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America. Photo: Demaclenko.

Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America.

Snow is what makes or breaks a ski resort. Before we used to ‘chance’ it and knew that usually you get snow starting at so many meters for sure, and if you have snow below this line, that was great. Over the years, what Brits would call a ‘snow sure’ resort due to altitude, maybe did not have snow at all. I am getting now 50 years old, and I do remember that in 7 years span, maybe you get one or two that you ask yourself –‘what happened with winter??’

Demaclenko pumping snow in El Colorado. Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America. Photo: Demaclenko.
Demaclenko pumping snow in El Colorado. Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America. Photo: Demaclenko.

I used to stage some events in South America, more specifically in Las Leñas, and the lack of snow made me cancel these events twice. I am talking of the South American Extreme Skiing and Snowboarding Championships. The last time was terrible because we had so much media onboard and so much buzz was building around the events, that when there was no snow and I had to cancel everything, the media people working with me told me I have sold them a bubble of air! It was not intended, obviously. We also got two Seat cars as prize for the competitors- anyways, that was the last event I’ve tried to stage!

Last year Las Leñas and Portillo had to close on early September due to a bad snow season. I have written already how Portillo has now invested in snow-making by TechnoAlpin. Cerro Bayo, another boutique resort more south in the Argentine Patagonia’s Lake Region, has also invested with TechnoAlpin.

The other big company we know about is Demaclenko, also located in the Sudtirol province of Italy. You know that the area of the Sella Ronda has very good snowmaking, having these two companies on site.

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