As an internationally recognised, successful, and fully tiered ski race programme, the Wanaka Ski Team unlocks our athlete’s full potential.

“The big dreams of tomorrow are trained today”

Wanaka Ski Team (WST) has been hugely successful with an outstanding record of results throughout New Zealand, and we're committed to building on these results in 2023.  

We offer a fully tiered race training programme that caters for entry-level racers right through to FIS athletes and attracts a following of athletes from all over the world. Our coaches have a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for ski racing that will enhance our athletes skiing and guide them to victory.  

WST can support your athlete on their race journey through our full-time and part-time programmes which include on and off-snow training, as well as event support.

Race Programmes

The Wanaka Ski Team has been formed to join together two of the country's most successful ski race programmes - Cardrona Alpine Ski Team and Team TC - to train on both Cardrona and Treble Cone mountains.

Cardrona and Treble Cone are home to WST where we have exclusive access to incredibly varied terrain perfect for SG, GS & SL training such as Big Skite, Mainstreet, Goldrush and Powder Keg. Cardrona’s specially designed training piste, Tail Race, is an amazing setup with full-length vertical for slalom FIS races and equally incredible GS training. WST often train early morning to make the most of the terrain on offer before the public arrive.

School Holiday Programme
WST Junior
WST Youth
FIS Programmes
WST Race Private Day
WST Coaching Pathway Programme
WSt International Atheletes

The details

you need to know

Added Extras racing
Equipment Requirements
Eligibility to race

Extras

  • Season pass for Cardrona and Treble Cone
  • Branded Team outer ski jacket (required)
  • Wanaka Ski Team softshell/ puffer (if available)
  • Costs to travel to races, lift passes and entry at other mountains
  • We offer ski tuning mentoring as part of our season long programmes. Alternatively we recommend that athletes bring their own ski tuning equipment (ski vices, wax iron etc).
  • Spring School Holiday training (September 26 - 30 / September 3 - October 7)

U12 - 16 Added Extras

  • Transport to and from Cardrona/Treble Cone is available in conjunction with your selected training programme for U14, U16 & FIS. Please contact us for more information. Spaces are limited and are offered to athletes training at FIS level first, followed by U16 athletes.

U12 - U16

  • Slalom and Giant Slalom skis or a very good kombi ski
  • A helmet and back protector are compulsory for all training and racing
  • Physical training clothes and running shoes

U6, U8 and U10

  • Good carving skis
  • A helmet and back protector are compulsory for all training and racing
  • Physical training clothes and running shoes

All junior athletes (both NZ and International) must belong to Wanaka Ski & Snow Sports Club (unless already a member of another NZ ski club) and be a current member of Snow Sports NZ (a FIS licence is not required).

U14 - 16 athletes must ensure they have purchased a National Points licence so that they can compete in the series.

For more race information and to view the NZ Competition Rules please click here.

What does a typical day at WST look like?
Why train at Cardrona & Treble Cone?
Is HPC a good fit for my child?

8am approx: Arrive at Cardrona or Treble Cone

8.20am: Athletes and coaches at the meeting point

8.30am: Training begins

11.15am - 12pm approx: Lunch

12pm: Afternoon training and video analysis

2.30pm: On snow training finishes

  • We're the preferred Southern Hemisphere training ground of the Austrian & Swiss World Cup ski teams – come & train alongside the best in the world!
  • We're the only mountain with the ability to train on such varied terrain – steeps, flats, SG, GS & slalom
    • We have amazing training slopes exclusive for our team.
    • Our specially-designed training piste, Tail Race, is an amazing setup with full-length vertical for slalom FIS races and equally-incredible GS training. This slope at Cardrona has it all – undulating terrain, 80m wide, with fixed-installed tower snow guns specifically designed for a guaranteed hard surface. Over at Treble Cone, Skyte, Lower Sinclairs and Mainstreet are our early morning training grounds.
  • Proven success: We've had the most successful team for many years, with top athletes claiming overall season prizes.
  • We can arrange homestay, English schooling and more during your training time here.

Our goal is to introduce snow sports to a wide audience of kids. We aim to create an environment where everyone is encouraged to learn and progress.

The main aim of our programme is competitive performance, and our training plan reflects that. If your young athlete is determined, passionate, and committed to progressing in their sport, then they'll be a perfect fit in a team dedicated to skill development while helping young people become well-rounded athletes and individuals.

Coaches

Our experienced ski race coaches come from all over the world to teach race at CardronA

Simone Calissano

Simone “Simo” Calissano

I once was asked to describe my job without using the words ski, gates and coach, the best thing that came to my mind was “ I teach people to go down snow, on some sort of wooden planks, around plastic poles as fast as they could possibly go”, and well that is what I have done for most of my life, coach alpine skiing.

I have had the privilege to coach amazing athletes, from young athletes at the beginning of their journey, to top performing athletes at World Cup events and at the last 2022 Beijing winter Olympics. Now I am fully focused on our WST mission.

To provide a world class training programme that gives our athletes the opportunity to excel in Alpine Ski Racing in New Zealand and at an international level”.

Fun Facts: I have been skiing in every continent, and yes Africa too.

Race Calendar

The SSNZ racing calendar

Check out the race calendar for the South Island & Australian FIS, Junior, Schools & Masters ski race events this year!

LEARN MORE

Contact Us

Get in touch with any questions – we’re here to help!