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Alpine Director Update - June 2024

Dear Alpine Community,

With colder weather falling upon the resorts and a little help from mother nature the ski season is upon us. It is very exciting times with athletes and their families returning to their clubs and reuniting with teammates from seasons past and meeting new members alike. I am looking forward to spending time with each club, the coaches, athletes and their families. I was lucky enough to have my first day on snow recently, working with some of Perisher’s coaching staff, meeting new coaches and reconnecting with familiar faces. I will be visiting Falls Creek in the coming week and then on to Buller for the first week of July, Thredbo and Hotham to follow in the coming month.

We had a successful Emerging Talent Program (ETP) weekend induction on the first weekend in June bringing together ETP athletes from all snowsport disciplines. The emerging athletes came together for education seminars, assessments and some good old team building exercises which was good fun for those involved. Following off the back of the ETP weekend we had invited our ETP and National Alpine and Ski Cross Ski Team athletes to Jindabyne for some physical Assessments at the NSTC under the guidance of Strength and Conditioning coach Layne Flannery. There was a battery of physical assessments, education seminars conducted by Ben Bond (Performance Health and Talent Manager) and Sami Sim (Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement), and a bit of fun in the acro centre and on the tennis court!

An important reminder for all our members to renew your membership whether for a club athlete, parent volunteer, coach or official. This membership allows Snow Australia to continue to provide numerous initiatives across our club landscape and supports our National team athletes. One exciting initiative is our revamped Snow Academy learning platform which includes education for all levels of membership. From Coach accreditation, athlete mini-modules, and an all-new online FIS Officials Course for members looking to learn more about taking on various roles for their club in the organisation and running of events like the Snow Australia Children’s Carnival and FIS races nationally. Keep an eye on this space for new modules and courses becoming available regularly. Another exciting space to keep an eye out for is upcoming webinars offered to Snow Australia members throughout the season covering different topics for both athletes and their families that support them.

It is never too late to get on top of your fitness and Snow Ready is a great place to start for those who need a bit of guidance and motivation! Follow 3 x Olympian Sami Sim though easy to follow workouts designed to get you in your best skiing shape!

I look forward to seeing you all out on the slopes!

Shawn Fleming
Alpine Director
Snow Australia

Testing the limits | Alpine Athletes push towards 2026

As temperatures drop in the mountains, Australia’s National Alpine, Ski CrossTeam and Emerging Talent athletes have gathered at the National Snowsports Training Centre in Jindabyne, NSW to put their bodies to the test.

Para Alpine Manager Update

Welcome to Winter 2024!
As we gear up for an exhilarating snowsports season, we are thrilled to share the exciting line-up of events and activities tailored specifically for athletes with physical and visual impairments. Our commitment is to ensure that everyone, has the opportunity to participate, compete, and excel in the world of snowsports. If you or someone you know are interested please reach out!

Season Highlights
This season promises to be packed with thrilling events and enriching activities designed to celebrate and support our talented athletes. Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store:

2024 Snow Australia Para Futures: Identifying Future Stars in Para Snowsports

Snow Australia Para Futures returns for 2024.

Para Futures is a Talent Identification initiative for athletes with physical or visual impairment, to explore and develop their knowledge and skills in the sports of Para Alpine and Para Snowboard. Activity-based at Snow Australia’s NSTC (Jindabyne) and Perisher Resort in collaboration with Paralympics Australia and Disabled Wintersport Australia, Para Futures offers a comprehensive platform for developing para-athletes to learn about and build their pathway into the sport.

Scheduled for July 21-22 and featuring development sessions from Para-development and High-performance coaches alongside current national team para-athletes, participants will build their skills, learn about the athlete pathway, selection criteria, and the many resources available to Australian Para snowsports athletes, in a fun, supportive training environment.

Snow Australia Para Futures will also provide an opportunity for athletes with physical impairments to undergo National Classification, a critical step in the para-athlete pathway.

2024 Para Development Camps: Fostering Emerging Talent in Para Snowsports

The next step along the Paralympic pathway from Futures, Snow Australia offers 5-day development camps for the next generation of athletes to develop skills and gain valuable on-snow training time. These are incredible opportunities for Para Alpine and Para Snowboard athletes to hone their skills and gain invaluable experience. This season two camps will be offered in August, based at Snow Australia’s NSTC (Jindabyne) and Perisher Resort, these camps are designed to focus on athlete development and education, introducing emerging para-athletes to winter sports daily training environments, on-snow coaching, educational sessions, and other enriching experiences aimed at fostering growth and success in the para snowsports pathway.

For more details, click here.

Interschools Multiclass Events: A Celebration of Inclusive Snowsports
Following the continued success of multi-class events in 2023, the Multiclass events return better than ever in 2024!

The Interschools Multiclass Events provide an exciting opportunity for school students with physical and intellectual impairments to showcase their talents in the snow sports disciplines of Alpine GS and Snowboard GS.

Hosted on 3 dates throughout the season, 26 July during the ACT & Regional NSW Interschools Championships, 21 August during the State (NSW and VIC) Interschools Championships and September 6 during the National Interschools Championships, these events offer an inclusive platform for competitors to participate and excel with the excitement and support of the wider Interschools Snowsports event.

In 2024 there will also be an Open division to allow para-athletes who are not currently in school, to compete, providing an opportunity to test their skills in a fun and inclusive racing environment. Information and education around Provisional Classification will be on offer for all PI and VI participants.

Be sure to hang out after your race to cheer all the athletes across the line. There will be a meet and greet with the current National Para Alpine and Snowboard Team at the medal presentation to celebrate the day’s racing.

We are passionate about fostering a supportive and inclusive community for all Snowsports athletes. Whether you are an athlete, coach, volunteer, or supporter, we welcome you to join us in making this season memorable and impactful.

For more details on event dates, registration, and how to get involved, please visit our website : Snow Australia or email: Para@snow.org.au

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. Let’s make this season the best one yet!

Ali Bombardier
Para Alpine Manager
Snow Australia

Position Vacant - Para Alpine Ski Team Technical Coach

Snow Australia is seeking Expressions of Interest for a coaching opportunity with the Australian Para Alpine High-Performance Team.

The role would best suit an experienced, knowledgeable, passionate and dynamic individual to fill the role of Para Alpine High Performance Team Technical Coach.