Heli-ski experiences and Waiheke Island holidays are among the experiences up for grabs as part of the Wānaka Snowsports Club (WSC) Snowmelt fundraising auction.

The annual Snowmelt fundraiser helps to support the club’s rising snowsports stars, WSC secretary Karen Melville Ives said, and this year it includes an online auction and an in-person auction and celebration. 

“Wānaka has become a hotbed for producing top-tier New Zealand skiers and snowboarders, with WSC boasting Winter Olympians from the Beijing 2022 games, FIS World Cup, Freeride World Tour and FIS Junior World Champ athletes,” Karen said.

“The funds raised through events like the Snowmelt auction play a crucial role in alleviating the financial challenges associated with Northern Hemisphere travel, allowing athletes to focus on their training and competition.”

WSC grant coordinator and executive committee member Bonny Teat said WSC’s current northern hemisphere grants applications closed on October 15 and a record 40 member athletes have applied.

Members of the public can support them by bidding in the online auction, where deals on things like Cardrona-Treble Cone season passes, top snow gear, services like landscaping and acupuncture are also up for grabs.

A free event at Hello Ranger on Saturday (October 28) provides another chance to support Snowmelt.

“We invite the community to celebrate with us, enjoy food and beverages, bid in a live auction, take part in a fun raffle and meet some of the athletes the auction will support,” Karen said.

“Attendees can look forward to a lively atmosphere while contributing to the success of Wānaka's emerging snow sports athletes.”

The free event will take place from 5-8pm at Hello Ranger (in Northlake) on Saturday (October 28) and the online auction is live on TradeMe until November 4.

PHOTO: FIS/Ross Mackay