Australia's snowsport stars honoured as countdown to 2026 Olympic & Paralympic Games ramps up

The 2025 Snow Australia Awards have highlighted the strength of Australian winter sports less than 12 months out from the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games.

Australian athletes reached the podium at World Championships, Junior World Championships and World Cups in nine different Olympic and Paralympic disciplines over the course of the 2024/25 northern winter.

“Once again the Snow Australia Awards have allowed us to reflect on another amazing season where the breadth and strength of snowsports in this country has been reinforced,” said Michael Kennedy, Snow Australia CEO.

“Every year we are achieving new ‘firsts’ for Australian winter sports and with under 12 months to go until the Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games, the signs are extremely positive for what we can anticipate our Australians can do come Milan-Cortina.”

Amongst Australia’s four World Championships podiums this season, Scotty James claimed gold for a record fourth time in Snowboard Halfpipe, and was rewarded with the Male Athlete of the Year for Olympic Disciplines.

No other athlete in his discipline had ever won more than three World Championships, and by eclipsing that mark, James became Australia’s first winter sports athlete to win four world titles in any discipline.

Additionally, James again conquered the Aspen SuperPipe to win X-Games gold for a record fourth straight year, his seventh career victory at the event. He also finished fourth on the World Cup standings on the back of four top five finishes including second in China and his fourth career victory at Laax.

“I’m so excited and honoured to have won Male Athlete of the Year,” said James. “It’s been incredible watching everyone this season; so many great results across all the disciplines, men and women.

“For me, being a proud Australian it’s always really inspiring to see us do so well.

“I have big visions, big goals so it takes a whole team to make that happen, so I appreciate all the effort from everyone.”

Aerials superstars Laura Peel and Danielle Scott could not be split by the judges and jointly took home Female Athlete of the Year for Olympic Disciplines.

Peel dominated the World Cup circuit, consistently landing the most difficult jumps of anyone in the women’s field to win five out of seven events on the way to her third career Crystal Globe.

"For the aerial program it was an incredible season, and we were on the podium at every single event that we competed in - not just me and Dani, but Airleigh, Abbey and Rielly as well,” Peel said.

“We love this night, and it’s the one night every year where you get all the snow sports people in one room and it’s amazing to catch up and celebrate everyone’s success. 

“We’re really proud of our success and we’ve had success in aerials, moguls and snowboard cross for a little while and the para disciplines, but seeing it across the board with cross country it’s so nice to see the whole Australian winter sports crew keeping going up and up, and punching above our weight for sure.”

Danielle Scott stood on four World Cup podiums this season to finish third on the overall standings, before claiming bronze at the 2025 World Championships. 

“We have such a rich history, so to see that success continuing is massive,” Scott said.

“Now with the water ramp in Brisbane, I just hope to see it continue and the younger girls are firing, and we’re so proud to have them with us and can’t wait to see what the future holds. 

“I can’t believe we’re already starting team processing again, it comes around really quick but it’s super exciting and today was really fun - we tried on uniforms, went through a lot of media and got prepped for a few things so it’s becoming really surreal now.” 

For Athlete of the Year in Paralympic Disciplines, Ben Tudhope won the male athlete award for the seventh year in a row, adding another World Championships medal and seven World Cup podiums to his already-impressive record during his 2024/25 campaign.

“I think this is my seventh time winning in a row, and it’s always an honour to be here and it’s such a great night meeting up with all the winter sport athletes,” Tudhope said.

“It was a great season and I really had a focus on having fun this year, and I feel like when I am having fun and enjoying snowboarding, I am riding my best and that’s definitely improved my performance. 

“We had a bigger para snowboard team this year, so it’s been great riding with all my team mates.”

Georgia Gunew took out the female award for the second time, accepting the accolade with guide Ethan Jackson following a season which saw them stand on the World Cup podium twice. 

“It’s a pretty cool feeling going back to back wins, I love getting to race and the seasons and the awards nights are always fantastic,” Gunew said. 

“Seeing what everyone has achieved and celebrating everyone’s achievements is amazing. 

“Picking a highlight of the season is a pretty easy choice for us, we had pretty good success in Veysonnaz this season again - it’s our lucky destination and we got the bronze in the GS and Slalom there.

“Yesterday made it all feel real at team processing, and getting to put on a little green and gold was an incredible feeling and I haven't done it before so I was really stoked. 

“Personally I can’t even imagine the pride I would feel getting to stand there at the top of the race course and having the best crack we can to get down as fast as we can.”

“It’s a really cool experience and it’s such an honour to share it with Georgia, we’re such a good team and we spend so much time together we’re like a little family,” Ethan Jackson said. 

“The consistency is a testament to the work we’re putting in and we spend almost the whole year working and training.”

Cam Bolton and Mia Clift were recognised for the Team Performance of the Year following their World Championships silver medal in the Snowboard Cross Team event.

The prestigious Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Rosie Fordham who created Australian snowsports history this season.

Never before had an Australian cross country skier raced their way to the podium at a major event, however Rosie changed all that in Italy earlier this year when she finished second in the 10km Freestyle at the U23 World Championships.

“I’m humbled to achieve such an incredible award - named in honour of such a legend of Australian snowsports - considering all the exceptional results that were coming in across the winter from all the disciplines,” Fordham said.

The Junior Athlete of the Year award was taken out by Moguls skier Charlotte Wilson. The 20-year-old was named FIS Rookie of the Year and broke through for her maiden World Cup victory at the Olympic Test Event in Livigno.

Tudhope’s coach Nickie Rodger was named Coach of the Year for Paralympic Disciplines for the third straight year. Harald Benselin and Jan Klemsa won the Award for the Coach of the Year for Olympic Disciplines in a season in which four of their athletes finished top 10 on the World Cup rankings as well as delivering a World Championships silver medal, eight individual World Cup podiums and two World Cup Team podiums.

Aerial Skiing legend Jacqui Cooper was presented with her Snow Australia Medal at the Awards. The Medal is presented to all athletes across Olympic and Paralympic disciplines who during their career represented Australia at the Olympic or Paralympic Winter Games or finished top three at a World Cup or World Championship level.

Cooper’s impressive career included four Winter Olympic Games appearances, five Crystal Globes and the 1999 World Championship.

Susie Warwick, David Speirs and Anne-Marie Harrison were also recognised tonight, receiving Service to Snowsport Awards.

2025 SNOW AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNERS

Female Athlete of the Year - Olympic Disciplines, presented by Sportscover: Laura Peel (Aerials) & Danielle Scott (Aerials)

Male Athlete of the Year - Olympic Disciplines, presented by Sportscover: Scotty James (Snowboard Park & Pipe)

Female Athlete of the Year - Paralympic Disciplines, presented by Sportscover: Georgia Gunew & Ethan Jackson (Para Alpine)

Male Athlete of the Year - Paralympic Disciplines, presented by Sportscover: Ben Tudhope (Para Snowboard)

Junior Athlete of the Year, presented by Karbon: Charlotte Wilson (Moguls)

Team Performance of the Year: Cam Bolton & Mia Clift (Snowboard Cross)

Coach of the Year - Olympic Disciplines, presented by Karbon: Harald Benselin & Jan Klemsa (Snowboard Cross)

Coach of the Year - Paralympic Disciplines, presented by Karbon: Nickie Rodger (Para Snowboard)

Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin Outstanding Achievement Award:  Rosie Fordham (Cross Country)