Korea Ski Association Sent Team Snow Rise to New Zealand
A group of 12 athletes has traveled to New Zealand to undergo advanced training and compete in regional events.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Skiing
Live Poll
Do you believe specialized training programs are the best way to develop future youth athletes?
The Korea Ski & Snowboard Association has launched a youth development initiative by sending Team Snow Rise to New Zealand. The group will train and compete in the Australia New Zealand Cup as part of a project running through March 2027.
Why it matters
This initiative aims to nurture young talent to eventually succeed current Olympic participants. By providing exposure to international competition, the program seeks to bolster the pipeline of professional winter sports athletes.
The team includes 12 athletes supported by 8 managers and 1 head director. The training regimen spans four distinct disciplines: snowboard freestyle, freestyle skiing, snowboard alpine, and alpine skiing.
The players
Korea Ski & Snowboard Association
This is the primary governing body for skiing and snowboarding in South Korea.
Team Snow Rise
This newly formed youth development squad consists of 12 athletes, 8 managers, and 1 head director.
Sports Promotion Fund
This organization provides the financial backing required to support the operations of the youth project.
The details
The program integrates lifestyle training with technical skills development, featuring mandatory coursework on doping, human rights, and safety. The effort is funded by the Sports Promotion Fund to ensure comprehensive support for the developing athletes.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: Team Snow Rise departed for training in New Zealand.
October 3-7, 2026: The team will compete in the Australia New Zealand Cup.
September 2026 - March 2027: This represents the full duration of the youth development project.
The Big Picture
This project follows a pattern established by the Sports Promotion Fund of investing in youth sports development to ensure long-term national competitiveness. It reflects a wider strategy to formalize the transition path for athletes moving from junior levels to the Olympic stage.
The team's performance at the Australia New Zealand Cup in early October will provide the first benchmark for these young athletes in an international field. Coaches and scouts will use these results to refine training focuses for the remainder of the project through March 2027.
The takeaway
The investment in multi-disciplinary training and mandatory ethics education reflects a growing trend in professionalizing youth development. Following these athletes during the cup could provide early insight into which competitors are prepared to transition to the Olympic level.
Further reading
For more information on the latest developments in professional and amateur winter sports, visit our Skiing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
Live Poll
Do you believe specialized training programs are the best way to develop future youth athletes?
