Dear Alpine Community,

Alongside the start of another Australian ski season, we are very happy to announce the National Alpine Ski Team (NAST) for the 2023/24 season. There are 19 athletes selected to the NAST comprising of 16 Alpine athletes and 3 Ski Cross athletes. The National Alpine Committee is very pleased to announce the selection of 3 new athletes to the team, Abbey Evans, Samantha Gaul and Connor Leggett. It is also of importance to recognize the retirement of NAST athlete and Olympian Kathryn Parker who finished up her race career at the University of Utah and was kind enough to sit down and share some reflections on her career.

The opening long weekend might have been a slow start to skiing across the resorts however it was still an exciting time to come together and start to prepare for the season ahead. As it has been stated before, alpine ski racing is about skill, dedication, and resilience and this was on display over the long weekend. The fact that we didn’t have lifts spinning, or much snow on the ground, didn’t deter many clubs, families, and athletes from taking advantage of other opportunities to prepare and set themselves up for success for the season to come. An athlete’s journey is all about seizing opportunities when they arise, and it was great to see so many taking part over the long weekend.

Mt Buller Race Club welcomed returning and new members over the weekend with a meet and greet with head coaches, uniform pick up, and BBQ on Saturday followed by a dryland camp on Sunday attended by over 40 athletes across all age groups. Thredbo Ski Racing Club enjoyed their long weekend with a Saturday morning uniform pick up at the club followed by an afternoon of jumping at the NSTC Air Bag facility getting athletes back on their skis focusing on fundamentals and FUN. Sunday was filled with physical assessments at the Thredbo Leisure Centre. Team Hotham Winter Sports Club got together to run a weekend of physical assessments, movement screenings and presentations from strength and conditioning and physiotherapy professionals including an appearance by National Alpine Ski Team member and Olympian Louis Muhlen-Schulte. They also had enjoyed a camp at the NSTC Air Bag facility the previous weekend with athletes representing Alpine/SX, Freeride and Snowboard. 

Another great opportunity to take advantage of in preparation of the coming season is Snow Australia’s SnowReady online physical preparation program presented by 3x Olympian Sami Kennedy Sim. Whether you are young or old, by yourself, or with a group of friends or family this is a great way to get in shape for the ski season to come.

Don’t forget to update your membership before you hit the snow this season, from interschools, Snow Australia Children’s racers, and right through to international FIS racers, membership can be purchased online here.
 

All the best,

Shawn Fleming
Alpine Director
Snow Australia

Snow Australia is pleased to announce the 19 athletes who have been selected for the 2023/24 National Alpine Ski Team.

The team consists of 16 alpine skiing athletes and three from ski cross, with three athletes earning their first NAST selections.

Alpine skier Katie Parker has decided to retire from competitive ski racing aged 25.

The Beijing Olympian split her early years of racing between Australia and the US, eventually forging a hugely successful college career with the University of Utah ‘Utes’.

Australian Sport Award Recipients

On May 25 Snow Australia Para Team Members Ben Tudhope and Mitchell Gourley were presented with the Australian Sports Medal by the Governor General, David Hurley at Government House in Canberra. 

The Australian Sports Medal is awarded to Australians to recognise achievement at the highest level of sport, for those who have also contributed beyond their own sporting excellence to the sporting community in Australia. Both Ben and Mitchell are outstanding examples of Paralympic role models and huge advocates of participation in snowsports for Australians from all walks of life and were humbled by the recognition.

Mitchell Gourley has competed in four Winter Paralympics (Alpine Skiing - Slalom, Giant Slalom, Downhill, Super-G and Super Combined). He was the Co-Captain for the Australian Winter Paralympic Team in PyeongChang, and the Australian Opening Ceremony Flag bearer at Beijing. Mitchell retired from competitive skiing after Beijing but continues his connection with sport as a member of both the IPC and Paralympics Australia Athletes Commissions. 

Ben Tudhope has competed in three Winter Paralympics (Snowboard- Snowboardcross, Banked SL). Ben was bronze medallist in Snowboardcross in Beijing, and was recognised for his achievements being the Australian Flag bearer for the closing ceremony at both Sochi and Beijing games. 

Both Ben and Mitchell have represented Australia on the World Cup and World Championship stage committing time to the sports they love, and it was an honour to be awarded these medal alongside Summer Paralympians from Tokyo. 

Ali Bombardier
Para Alpine Team Manager

Snow Australia welcomes back FUTURES for 2023 with a specialised Para event on Aug 19 & 20. Learn from the best with elite athletes and coaches present at each event to help further your skills, knowledge and snowsports potential. Find out how to register and more information for each event below! 

Snow Australia Futures has a vision to enhance the opportunities and resources for young and developing athletes in the Para Snowsports Pathway. FUTURES programs aim to:

• Introduce developing Para athletes to Para wintersport opportunities and elite sports people 
• Increase knowledge of the athlete pathway, selection criteria and the various opportunities, resources available to Australian Para snow sports athletes
• Engage National Team athletes and programs in pathway development initiatives 
• Encourage involvement in Snow Australia domestic ski/snowboard events 
• Bridge the gap between Interschools competition participation and involvement in seasonal Snow Australia Pathway Programs  
• National Classification opportunity for para- athletes new to para snowsports.

Snow Australia is pleased to provide membership renewal information ahead of the 2023/24 season. Whether you are competing, coaching, a snowsport supporter or want to hit the NSTC Park we have a membership option that meets your needs.

Snow Australia membership has been specifically designed to suit your needs by providing a tiered structure, allowing you to upgrade your membership as required throughout the season be it to access facilities or the next level of competition. Upgrades can be made at any time via your membership portal on the Snow Australia website (www.snow.org.au).

To quickly renew your membership for 2023, click the link below, select your membership category and follow the prompts.

We wish you all the best for the 2023 season and if you require any assistance with your membership please do not hesitate to contact the Snow Australia Office on +61 3 9696 2344 or via email, info@snow.org.au.

Join Here

The Snow Academy has moved to the Australian Sport Learning Centre, where Snow Australia's eLearning courses are now housed alongside other educational content from the Australian Sports Commission. 

This comes just in time for coaches to complete essential Coach Fundamentals courses before on-snow workshops in the coming weeks and months.