This session will feature stories about fantastic outdoors adventures and how, with the right planning and training, we can all ‘think big’ in the outdoors.

Build your foundations in Australia before you go north 

Alex Parsons and Owen Lansbury

Alex is the Programs Coordinator for Thredbo, MSC Observer & Ambassador, POW and Arc’teryx Ambassador. Owen is Thredbo’s Head Guide and MSC Communications Director. Both guide here in Australia and have worked and adventured extensively overseas.

Following the COVID backcountry boom, large numbers of Australians are taking their backcountry skills to Canada, Japan and Europe where the risks and consequences are exponentially greater than at home. Find out what you can do to develop your backcountry skills and routines before you head overseas and how to stay safe while you’re there!

Ice Hazard case studies presentation

Bill Barker is the Mt Hotham Ski Patrol Director and an experienced Antarctic and Himalayan Ski Guide. He has decades of experience with snow safety and knows the Hotham resort and backcountry as well as anyone. He has also seen, and responded to, countless accidents and rescues.

Bill will present some of the ice hazard slide accidents that have happened over the years and provide guidance about how to stay safe in the backcountry.

Planning considerations in the backcountry

Hagen Dobrautz is well known local, and owner of Tirol Sports, will provide an overview of group dynamics and risk acceptance. We all have different levels of technical skills, skiing/ riding ability, and levels of acceptance of risk. When we travel in a group, this can cause dilemmas in the backcountry in terms of safety, group dynamics and route planning.

Finishing with four short films:

Regeneration – Racha

A ski film like no other, taking you on an epic 8-day backcountry trip to the Western Highlands of Georgia. Join Andy and Jack as they venture into the mountains, seeking fresh turns and a mountain escape in an old Soviet hunting hut. But what they find along the way is a gripping wake-up call to the lives and culture of the countries surrounding Russia. With tensions high due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the Georgian guides provide a unique insight into the conflicts that have affected their country and others.

Through stunning cinematography and powerful storytelling, Regeneration – Racha takes you on a journey of discovery, where the love of skiing leads to an unexpected education, and a story that demands to be told.

Andy Hardy is the producer, and principal cinematographer, Jack Arthur was co-pilot and provided additional cinematography.

The Australian Alp - Taylor Bennie-Faull

Mt Feathertop's striking beauty holds a special place in the hearts of the Australian backcountry snow community. As one of the only mountains here that resembles its northern hemisphere counterparts, The Australian Alp tells a story of the profound impact it's had on a group of keen explorers.

Taylor is a documentary filmmaker based out of Melbourne who seeks to empower viewers through connecting them to the deeper emotions of storytelling. He's been active in outdoor sports from a young age which has fostered his love for the  natural world and ways to reduce ecological footprints. His aspiration is to use his documentaries as a means to engage others with the environment.

Two films from Dylan Robinson:

‘Australian Drift: Moments from the Australian Backcountry’

Filmed over the past two years, Australian Drift is a collection of moments through the lens of Dylan Robinson during short and long backcountry adventures in the Australian Alps. Enjoy the ups, downs, lefts, and rights of our backyard.

‘Mori’

'Mori' is a film by Dylan Robinson documenting the return to the deep powder tree skiing of Japan after a long hiatus for Australians. Featuring skier Drew Jolowicz, it conveys the feeling of traveling to a small Japanese village and experiencing the calm yet breathtaking feeling of floating through the forest (Mori).

Dylan Robinson is a filmmaker and photojournalist with a passion for story telling in the mountains. During the Australian Winter, Dylan is found behind the camera for Hotham Alpine Resort and taking on the role of a Mountain Safety Collective (MSC) ambassador. Presenting two films, he will be joined on the mic by fellow MSC ambassador Drew Jolowicz and MSC forecaster Kyle Boys.

Recycling and Waste management - Why we do it differently on Hotham.

At 12 pm we will catch the bus from the stop across from the Genny, go to stop 9, RMB WORKSHOP / RECYCLE SHED.

Bev Lawrence, who is part of the environment team for Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board, will explain works undertaken in this waste space, answer questions. Hotham has been making a big effort to maximise recycling and reuse and minimise waste coming off the mountain.