Training for New Zealand's high performance skiers, snowboarders and cross-country athletes has been made easier with support from the Ski Areas Association of New Zealand.
The 28 athletes and 10 coaches have been granted Elite Access Passes by the Association, allowing them free access to all New Zealand ski areas; the world's best training facilities currently available.
NZ Academy of Sport South Island (ASI) Winter Programme Director Ashley Light said the support is very welcome by the athletes as they prepare for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in 2010, as well as other international competition including the X Games.
"It's a massive year for our winter athletes who are now very focused on their training programmes as they build-up to Vancouver next February, as well as preparing for major world championship events, so the assistance is well received and particularly important," Mr Light said.
This is the fourth year Ski Areas Association of NZ has supported the winter performance programme through allowing targeted athletes free mountain access, and spokesman Miles Davidson said the investment is a good practical way for ski areas to show their support to New Zealand's elite sports people.
Some of the snow sports athletes to take advantage of the support building up to international events including the Winter Olympics, are ski racer Ben Griffin, snowboarders Julianne Bray and James Hamilton, disabled skier Adam Hall (currently ranked number two in the world), and free skiers Jossi and Byron Wells.
