Snow Forecast for Canterbury’s Extreme Snow Showdown

Places are running out for the annual K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series to be held from 26^th to 30^th of August in the Craigieburn Range of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

A weather system forecast to move into the region on Monday looks to be bringing some fresh snow to the range, to the delight of event organisers and athletes alike.  It’s hoped that the fresh snow will allow for some amazing competition through the various comp zones at Mt Olympus and Craigieburn Valley.

Following on from a spectacular event in 2008, interest in the competition is proving to be widespread, with athletes from all over the world signed up to compete. The second stop on the NZ Freeride Series, the K2 event also acts as an official Freeride World Tour Qualifier (ski only), giving world class athletes the opportunity to improve their ranking and sample the quality big mountain terrain Canterbury has to offer.

Athletes must pre-register prior to the event with CHILL HQ in Springfield (+64 3 318 4830) to guarantee their place. Payment for entry is essential to securing a place at this event. Accommodation is available through the ski areas and a number of nearby off mountain locations. Further registration and accommodation information is available through http://www.chillout.co.nz/events.asp?DocID=100.

The event starts with two days of competition at Craigieburn Valley on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is a weather day and travel day and on Saturday and Sunday the Series continues at Mt Olympus.

The format for both mountain events is two runs per day over two days, with the top three scoring runs carried.  Any variation to this will be determined based on prevailing weather and snow conditions.

All competitors need to be on location at the day lodge CV/MO at 9am on the day ready for a 9:30am briefing for the event. The briefing is compulsory as it covers critical information for the day regarding safety and snow and weather conditions. Competitors will be advised of the rules, judges, boundaries, safety and where to start.

All updates on each day’s events/activities will be advised via CSA Snow Phone 03 383 8888 ex 07 for CV or 04 for MO, and through each mountains web snow reports.

Further information for athletes looking to compete is available through the CHILL site. Further contact via Kylie Laurie at CHILL on 03 318 4830 or email hq@chillout.co.nz.

• Craigieburn Snow Report >>
• Mt Olympus Snow Report >>