A heavy-hitting team will represent Oceania at the inaugural International Obsidian, a team challenge-style competition taking place between September 9-13 as part of Winter Games NZ.

During Obsidian, teams made up of the best freeski and snowboard athletes from four continents will battle it out across custom built terrain park venues at Cardrona Alpine Resort and freeride terrain in the mountains around Wānaka.

Team Oceania includes two Wānaka freeskiers: Beijing 2022 Winter Olympian Finn Bilous and two-time Olympic Games medallist Nico Porteous.

“It’s going to be awesome to showcase the playground that we have in Wānaka on the backcountry freeride day, the Park Jam and the Big Air - we are going to get the best of everything the area has to offer,” Nico said.

Nico said the unique Obsidian event was not part of the World Cup circuit.

“It’s an alternative event that is crafted both for creative and competitive skiers and snowboarders that thrive in all aspects of freeskiing.”

The other members of Team Oceania are: Ruby Star Andrews (freeskier, Queenstown); Daisy Thomas (freeskier, Australia); Cool Wakushima (snowboarder, Queenstown); Jess McGregor (snowboarder, Australia); Tiarn Collins (snowboarder, Queenstown); and Valentino Guseli (snowboarder, Australia).

They will compete against teams representing Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Winter Games NZ CEO Marty Toomey said the aim was for Obsidian to become a ‘must-do’ event on the calendar for the world's best skiers and snowboarders. 

“Team events are rare in snow sports and our creative challenges make Obsidian a fun event for athletes to compete in and for fans to watch."

Obsidian will be held within a five day weather window from September 9-13. 

PHOTO: Ross Mackay