The Remarkables Ski Area will be home to the southern hemisphere’s first Freeride World Tour Academy this winter. 

The Remarkables is affiliated with the sport’s pinnacle events –  the Freeride World Tour and New Zealand Junior Freeride Tour and has been hosting the Freeride World Tour Qualifier since 2012.

 Ski area manager Ross Lawrence says it is exciting to be taking the mountain’s relationship with the tour to the next level.  

“It’s an incredible opportunity for up-and-coming skiers and riders to have access to such a high- level programme in their backyard. We’re honoured to be affiliated with the prestigious Freeride World Tour and fortunate that our terrain can accommodate any level of skier or rider, right through to world champions.”

The Academy’s programme challenges young athletes to push their limits and gain skills to comfortably handle all types of terrain and snow conditions in a safe, controlled environment.  It is open to athletes aged six to 17 who live in the Southern Lakes, but others from outside the area including internationals, can attend scheduled camps or training sessions prior to competitions. 

The academy is headed by programme director Luka Sinhart-Kennedy and Freeride World Tour athlete and local legend  Blake Marshall in his role as head coach. 

“To be working with the biggest name in freeriding is amazing,” says Blake. “The Freeride World Tour Academy brings a lot of knowledge and experience to the table and to be able share that with junior athletes in the freeride and freeski space feels like an incredible way to give back to the sport.”

The Freeride World Tour Academy programmes which are headquartered in Verbier in Switzerland started in the Alps in 2013 and in Japan in 2018. New Zealand is only the seventh country in the world to host an Academy.