Snow Sports NZ has announced the nominees for the 2025 Snow Sports NZ Annual Awards Night.

The awards night will be held at the Lake Wānaka Centre on October 10, celebrating the achievements of the New Zealand snow sports community over the past 12 months.

“With Kiwi snow sports athletes collectively having their most successful season ever this past Northern Hemisphere, it is going to be a fantastic night celebrating with the snow sports community,” organisers said.

The awards encompass the 2024/25 northern hemisphere season and the 2025 New Zealand season. 

The nominees for Instructor of the Year (sponsored by NZSIA) are Alexandra Shoosmith (Coronet Peak & The Remarkables), Ben Coad (Whakapapa), Hamish Jarvis (Coronet Peak), and Meg Hoyland (Tūroa).

Nominees for Coach of the Year (sponsored by SITE Trampoline) are AJ Jamieson (Snowboard, Wānaka), Daniel Bogue (Para Alpine Ski Racing, Wānaka), Hamish McDougall (Freeski, Wānaka), and Nils Coberger & Tim Cafe (Alpine Ski Racing).

The Breakthrough Season nominees (sponsored by Forsyth Barr) are Alaska Speedy (Alpine Ski Racing), Ben Johnston (Para Snowboard), Fynn Powell (Freeride), Mischa Thomas (Freeski), and Rocco Jamieson (Snowboard, Wānaka).

Athlete Panel sharing insights with the audience at the 2024 Snow Sports NZ Annual Awards night. PHOTO: Ross Mackay

The nominees for Freeskier of the Year (sponsored by Mons Royale) are Ben Barclay (Wānaka), Finley Melville Ives (Wānaka), Luca Harrington (Wānaka), Luke Harrold (Lake Hāwea), and Ruby Star Andrews.

Nominees for Snowboarder of the Year (sponsored by Dick Schulze) are Dane Menzies, Rocco Jamieson (Wānaka), and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (Wānaka). 

Adaptive Athlete of the Year nominees (sponsored by Cardrona/Treble Cone) are Adam Hall and Corey Peters, both of Wānaka. 

And the nominees for Freeride Athlete of the Year (sponsored by The Remarkables) are Ben Richards (Wānaka), Craig Murray (Wānaka), Fynn Powell, Jess Hotter, and Jessie Violet (Wānaka).

The Masters of the Year (sponsored by Northbrook )and the Alpine Ski Racer of the Year (sponsored by Coronet Peak) will be announced on the night, along with the Snow Sports New Zealand Overall Athlete of the Year. 

Local musician Juno Gerlach will provide entertainment and the MC for the evening will be Ed Leigh.