Snow Sports New Zealand announced today that all three Wanaka-area ski fields will share the spotlight for this August’s 2010 FIS Snowboard & Freestyle Junior World Championships.

The event, scheduled for 19-31 August, marks the first time a FIS World Championship will be staged in New Zealand, and also marks the first time that snowboarding and freestyle skiing will share the same stage in a World Championship.

“For two weeks in August, Wanaka will be centre stage for a major international ski and snowboard competition,” said Snow Sports New Zealand CEO Ross Palmer. “It’s a great opportunity for the local ski resorts and for elite junior freestyle and snowboard athletes to showcase our sports and the region.”

Competition Venues

Cardrona Alpine Resort (www.cardrona.com) is renowned as New Zealand’s favourite ski resort for families, beginners and intermediate skiers. In recent years Cardrona has also cemented its reputation as a world-class training and competition venue for elite freestyle athletes. Cardrona’s extensive facilities comprise up to three halfpipes, including Australasia’s only 22-ft Olympic Halfpipe, three Terrain Parks, a permanent Gravity X and a 70-ft Big Air.

Snow Park (www.snowparknz.com) is recognised internationally as one of the top freestyle parks in the world, and this season will be putting extra emphasis on its Slopestyle courses, all visible from the base facilities, making the Junior Worlds fantastic for spectators.

Treble Cone (www.treblecone.com) is a big mountain renowned for its stunning scenery across Lake Wanaka, long runs & deep Nor’West powder days.