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Posted on Tuesday August 24th at 1:07 p.m.
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The skiers were treated to skiing on several of the peaks surrounding Black Peak, sampling the variety of terrain on offer with Southern Lakes Heli Ski.
Riders included the top three placing men and the top two women: Alex Lynden (NZ), B Devine (USA), Fraser McDougall (NZ Development Team member and North Face Rider), Janina Kuzma (NZ National Team member and North Face Rider) Mitchey Greig (Skier Cross Olympian, NZ National Team member and North Face Rider). Charlie Timmins (North Face Rider from Australia) also landed a seat on the helicopter.
According to Stephen Winnacott, marketing manager for The North Face, the conditions couldn't have been better.
"There's nothing like flying up and punching through the inversion to a bluebird day without a breath of wind," said Winnacott.
Riders at The North Face Heli Sessions Sampled Several Peaks Throughout the Day Photo: Camilla Stoddart
"The quality of the snow was phenomenal with a stable snowpack which meant steeps weren't an issue and we could ski wherever we wanted, nothing was off limits. "
The conditions were in stark contrast to last year where the snow pack was extremely unstable and the riders had to make due with a man made kicker and lower angled slopes.
After a warm up run the skiers travelled from peak to peak logging eight runs throughout the day.
Spread across the mountain the riders enjoy a warm up run Photo: Camilla Stoddart
Six-time winner and NZ's number one ranked Big Mountain Rider, Janina Kuzma carves it up in the fresh snow Photo: Camilla Stoddart
"Alex scrambled to the top of rocky crags with virtually no snow and stepped off them getting about 8 metres of air before landing clean and progressing straight into his lines," said Winnacott.
"Mitchey and Janina had one run where they took a line from the top of the peak cutting across into a line straight down the open untracked face. This was the most aesthetic line on the face. The two girls just ripped it up."
McDougall chose technical and steep lines, and on his second run of the day hit a natural feature towards the bottom where he combined his big mountain skiing with some park riding executing a massive back flip and sticking the landing.
B Devine carved out an untracked powder slopes finding a natural hit where he pulled off a 180 switch into fresh snow.
The heli sessions are an ongoing collaboration between The North Face and Southern Lakes Heliski and will continue to be offered as an added bonus to winners of The North Face Big Mountain at the Volkl Open.
"The partnership between The North Face and this event is a perfect fit," says Winnacott.
The North Face is the premiere supplier of technically advanced, innovative apparel, and gear that inspires athletes to Never Stop Exploring.
‘The North Face Heli Sessions enables athletes to ski outside the constraints of a competitive big mountain arena giving them the freedom to explore their limits in the beautiful heli-accessed terrain of New Zealand. "
Top (l-r): Stephen Winnacott, Charlie Timmins, B Devine, Alex Lynden, Hamish Acland Bottom (l-r): Southern Lakes Heli Ski Guides, Mitchey Greig, Janina Kuzma, Fraser McDougall Photo: Camilla Stoddart
For More Information Visit the New Zealand Freeski Open