Future Aussie halfpipe stars at Perisher Blue

Now is a great time to spot fresh talent in Australian snowboarding, as the National Snowboard Halfpipe Development Team have begun training at Perisher Blue.

The programme, which is in its third year, is designed for up-and-coming athletes as a means of progressing towards the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia Snowboard Halfpipe Team. (Story continues below.)


Head coach Ben Alexander says: "It is giving athletes the opportunity to develop their skills to international standard so they are able to compete successfully in World Cup and Olympic Games competitions."

The team currently consists of five boarders: Nathan Johnstone, 17, Matthew Hunter, 19, Jarryd Williams, 17, Sam Murphy, 16 and Charlie Steinbacher, 16.

Riders are chosen at a Talent Identification Camp held at Perisher Blue each winter. The next camp takes place from 1-2 September.

Find out more at the Skiing Australia website.

Photo credit (showing Nathan Johnstone): NSWIS and Perisher Blue, taken by Ben Alexander

Australia: Best snow for 17 years

Australian resorts have received the most snowfall in 17 years according to the Australian press, with several resorts passing the one-metre base mark.

Perisher Blue has a respectable base of 129.7cm. Temperatures are cold and more snowfall is expected this week. More than 200cm of snow has fallen so far this year.

Thredbo is boasting an identical depth of 129.7cm (hmm, suspicious). Snow showers and blizzards are forecast over the next three days.

Check out these links for further information on Perisher Blue and Thredbo.

Photo credit: Thredbo.