Thirty-five people spurned vehicles to cycle up Treble Cone to ski on the weekend to raise awareness about climate change and its effects.

The annual Green Steam event began in Wānaka on Saturday (September 17) morning. 

The crew strapped skis and boots to their bikes before cycling 30km along Mt Aspiring Road to the Treble Cone entrance, then another 7.5km up the steep access road.

At the ski field base they donned skis and skinned to the summit (2,088m above ski level).

The on-mountain ‘Jedi Support hype man’ was available to help with quick repairs. PHOTO: Supplied

Then the group skied down to the base where they strapped their gear to their bikes once again before cycling back to Wānaka.

Participant Frank Ryan told the Wānaka App the mission was “pretty tough at times” but said the day couldn’t have gone more smoothly.

“Perfect weather, half a puncture between 35 bikes, and an amazing group of stoked people sweating it out in solidarity together and saying ‘yeah nah’ to the combustion engine for a day and earning our turns for real.”

The event included a scavenger hunt, prizes for people who car-pooled, and the opportunity to plant a native tree at the base of the ski field.

Treble Cone also supplied complementary sandwiches and hot chips for the Green Steamers.

Green Steam said they have calculated the average skier contributes 9.17kg of carbon.

‘Green Steamers’ head back to Wānaka on Saturday. PHOTO: Wānaka App

To reduce this, the group suggests people carpool to go skiing, or take a free mountain shuttle.

The annual Green Steam event is associated with the international movement Protect Our Winters.

Protect Our Winters Aotearoa connects passionate outdoor enthusiasts with “people who love and need winter to generate positive climate outcomes”. 

The group uses educational initiatives and community-based events to help protect New Zealand’s alpine environment from the damaging effects of climate change.

Find out more about Protect Our Winters here.