The 2023 edition of the Winter Games NZ kicks off on Friday (August 25) with an opening ceremony at Pembroke Park.

Winter Games NZ is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest snowsports event, with 450 of the world’s best snowsports athletes competing in 14 events across alpine, freeride, and freestyle (park and pipe) disciplines across a two-week period. 

Organisers are inviting the community to attend the opening ceremony (starting at 4.30pm) to see athletes representing over 30 nations taking part in the Parade of Nations.

The sports action will kick off two days later.

“After months of preparation we are looking forward to getting the Games underway,” Winter Games NZ CEO Marty Toomey said. 

“We expect to see some mind blowing performances from some of the world’s best snow sports athletes and look forward to seeing what the best emerging talent can bring to the party.” 

The FIS Park and Pipe Junior World Championships freeski slopestyle qualifiers will take place on Sunday (August 27) at Cardrona Alpine Resort, followed by the snowboard slopestyle qualifiers on Monday (August 28).

The hotly contested slopestyle finals will take place on Tuesday (August 29). 

At Coronet Peak, the FIS Australia New Zealand Cup Alpine Ski Racing programme will get underway on Monday, starting with two Giant Slalom races on consecutive days. 

Two Slalom races follow on Thursday (August 31) and Friday (September 1) at Coronet Peak. 

The North Face Frontier weather window opens on September 2 at the Remarkables Ski Area and the two best days out of seven will be selected for hosting competition days. 

Wrapping up the 2023 Winter Games NZ programme is the inaugural International Obsidian Challenge, where the best of the best from all four corners of the globe will be competing in a team format competition. 

Visit the Winter Games NZ website for more information about where to watch the events, whether on the snow or online.

PHOTO: Winter Games NZ.