With New Zealand’s international borders still closed the Winter Games NZ team have opted for a smaller than usual number of events for 2021.

This year the snowsports extravaganza will include the Sky Big Air showcase at Cardrona Alpine Resort on September 4 and the North Face Frontier 2 and 4 at The Remarkables Ski Area from August 29 - September 2.

“We are excited to have three world class events lined up for the 2021 season,” Winter Games NZ CEO Marty Toomey said. 

“Delivering these events helps New Zealand athletes prepare for their northern hemisphere seasons and allows us to honour Winter Games NZ Founder Sir Eion Edgar who tragically passed away in June.” 

The Sky Big Air showcase will see freeski and snowboard athletes hit the third jump in Cardrona’s Big Bucks Park and perform their best combinations of tricks for judges and spectators. 

Big Bucks Park at Cardrona Alpine Resort, the venue for the Sky Big Air.

The competition format is being co-designed with athletes to ensure they can showcase their incredible talent. 

“We are really excited to be creating with Winter Games NZ such a fantastic event, despite the closed borders and the pandemic still affecting the world,” Cardrona/Treble Cone’s former general manager and Wayfare chief experience officer Bridget Legnavsky said. 

“We love celebrating sport and with our incredible athletes down here in New Zealand, we look forward to seeing them showcase their talent, as they prepare for the Winter Olympics.”

New Zealand snowboarding star, Olympic bronze medalist in Big Air and 2021 FIS Slopestyle World Champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott said she was “stoked” to see the event on the calendar and she has confirmed her attendance, alongside fellow Olympic snowboarder Tiarn Collins.

The North Face Frontier 2 and 4 events are both Freeride World Qualifier Tour events with the events held on the best snow and weather days during the window of August 29 - September 2. The ‘2’ event will be held in Shadow Basin, while the ‘4’ event will be hosted in the Alta Chutes.

The Winter Games NZ, traditionally the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest snowsports event, has run annually since 2009.

Find more details and updates on the 2021 event at the Winter Games NZ website and social media channels.

PHOTOS: Camilla Rutherford Photography