An Australian chapter of Protect Our Winters (POW) will be officially launched this week, with a visit from pro skier Chris Davenport.  Chris is a POW board member and will be visiting Thredbo and Mt Buller as part of his trip.

Chris will speak at Mt Buller on July 24 and at Thredbo on Friday July 27. There will also be a ‘Hike for POW’ to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko during the day on the 27th.

The following media release comes from POW Australia:

With snow flurries across the Australian Alps this week it’s an apt time for the launch of the Australian chapter of the global environmental group Protect Our Winters (POW).

The official launch of POW Australia this week will be followed by a visit from two-time world champion pro skier Chris Davenport.  Davenport is a POW board member and is widely regarded as one of the premier big mountain skiers in the world today.  Among his many mountaineering achievement Chris was the first person to ski all fifty-four of Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks in less than a year.  He has also guided and skied on Mt Everest.

Chris is visiting Mt Buller and Thredbo resorts during his time in Australia, spreading the word on “why we need winter’ and will speak at the Mt Buller cinema on Tuesday 24th July 2018. The talk will be followed by a screening of the new Teton Gravity Research film ‘Rogue Elements’ in which Mt Buller Mitch Reeves features.

Thredbo will then build on the program with a Hike for POW to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko on Friday 27 July  and a speaker program that evening in resort.

Protect Our Winters activity in Australia started in 2017 when professional snowboarder and POW Founder Jeremy Jones and his family were invited to Mt Buller by long-time friend Tony ‘Harro’ Harrington. The Jones family came to Mt Buller and Thredbo where Jeremy established the first Australian POW resort alliance at Thredbo.  This kicked off the the charge towards positive climate action within the snow industry with Falls Creek now also involved and more resorts expected to formalise their participation in the program.

Since founding POW 10 years ago, the organisation has grown to a global network of over 130,000 supporters and engaging with 60 million+ snowsports enthusiasts across the world, a following that is fast growing momentum in Australian alpine communities.

Leading the campaign in Australia is a passionate group of advocates including Tony ‘Harro’ Harrington, Rhylla Morgan, Josh Fletcher and Kerris McLiver based at Mt Buller, all who have extensive experience in the snow and outdoor sports industry.

“At the heart of it Protect Our Winters is a passionate crew of diehards, professional athletes and industry brands mobilizing the outdoor sports community to lead the charge towards positive climate action so we can continue to do what we love and live in the communities we care about. We are excited to foster a team of passionate people, athletes and industry professionals to drive this conversation forward in Australia.” Tony Harrington said.

The Mt Buller and Thredbo events this month are an opportunity to learn more about the POW movement from Davenport who is an inspiring and informed advocate for the POW mission.

 

To find out more and to get involved with Protect Our Winters (POW) Australia
contact the team at staycool@protectourwinters.org.au
www.protectourwinters.org