Ski and Snowboard
A winter sport and recreational activity involving gliding on snow using skis or boards strapped to the feet.
Skiing was first introduced in Australia in 1861, by Norwegian gold miners in Kiandra, New South Wales. The current Kiandra Pioneer Ski Club is often cited as the oldest, continuously operating ski club in the world. 3, 4
Snowboarding was developed at a much later period, influenced by skateboarding and surfing culture and equipment. It is believed to have become popular in Australia in the 1980s. 5
Discover more about skiing and snowboarding through the Clearinghouse evidence base:
- Modified Sports - adaptations that make ski and snowboard more inclusive and accessible.
Evolution:
- Australian Ski Federation [1976-1994]
- Skiing Australia [1994-2004]
- Ski and Snowboard Australia [2004-2018]
- Snow Australia [2018-]
Participation
An estimated 184,500 Australians [aged 15+] participated in ski and snowboard at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 11,000 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in ski and snowboard at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 86,000 Australian women [aged 15+] and an estimated 98,000 Australian men [aged 15+] participated in ski and snowboard at least once in 2024. 2
Explore further participation statistics for ski and snowboard through the AusPlay online portal., opens in a new tab
Governing body
Snow Australia, opens in a new tab is the organisation recognised by government at all levels as the National controlling body for the sports of skiing and snowboard in Australia. They manage athlete pathways from entry level to elite. Disciplines include alpine skiing, cross country skiing, freestyle skiing, freeride, snowboarding, SkiMo, para-alpine, para-snowboard and specialty sub discipline activities within each. 1
The Australian Ski Federation was first formed in 1976, in 1994 the name was changed to Skiing Australia, before changing again in 2004 to incorporate snowboarding as Ski & Snowboard Australia. In 2018 the organisation became Snow Australia. 6
REFERENCES
- About, opens in a new tab, Snow Australia, (accessed 20 January 2026).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 21 January 2026).
- Club History, opens in a new tab, Kiandra Pioneer Ski Club, (accessed 21 January 2026).
- World's first alpine ski club, opens in a new tab, Norman W Clarke, self published, (2011).
- 30 Years of Snowboarding, opens in a new tab, Thredbo, (18 September 2016).
- Annual Reports [various].
Documents
The Clearinghouse for Sport has sought permission from relevant organisations for the inclusion of their documents in this archive. Copyright ownership remains vested with the organisation and as such permission from the copyright owner should be sought if you wish to communicate, adapt or reproduce these documents.
- Snow Australia Annual Report 2023-2024[PDF • 6.48 mb]
- Snow Australia Annual Report 2023[PDF • 4.42 mb]
- Snow Australia Annual Report 2022[PDF • 10.61 mb]
- Snow Australia Annual Report 2021-2022[PDF • 6.81 mb]
- Snow Australia Annual Report 2019-2020[PDF • 4.37 mb]
- Snow Australia Annual Report 2018-2019[PDF • 7.28 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2018[PDF • 2.34 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2017[PDF • 9.69 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2016[PDF • 2.73 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2015[PDF • 1.64 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2014[PDF • 2.7 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2013[PDF • 4.41 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2012[PDF • 4.05 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2011[PDF • 1.75 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2010[PDF • 1.38 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2009[PDF • 3.16 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2008[PDF • 3.65 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2006-2007[PDF • 4.06 mb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2005-2006[PDF • 927.69 kb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2004-2005[PDF • 578.16 kb]
- Ski & Snowboard Australia Annual Report 2003-2004[PDF • 2.4 mb]
- Skiing Australia Annual Report 2002-2003[PDF • 903.18 kb]
- Skiing Australia Annual Report 2001-2002[PDF • 1.95 mb]
- Skiing Australia Financial Report 2001[PDF • 56.57 kb]
- Skiing Australia Annual Report 1999[PDF • 1.94 mb]
- Skiing Australia Annual Report 1998[PDF • 3.35 mb]
- Skiing Australia Annual Report 1997[PDF • 102.01 kb]
- Skiing Australia Annual Report 1996[PDF • 2.77 mb]
- Skiing Australia Annual Report 1995[PDF • 1.36 mb]
- Australian Ski Federation Annual Report 1993[PDF • 1.04 mb]
- Australian Ski Federation Annual Report 1992[PDF • 730.3 kb]
- Australian Ski Federation Annual Report 1991[PDF • 876.61 kb]
- Snow Australia Strategic Plan 2024-2026[PDF • 8.8 mb]
- Snow Australia Strategic Plan 2020-2023[PDF • 3.21 mb]
- Snow Australia National Alpine Plan 2020-2026[PDF • 3.33 mb]
- Ski and Snowboard Australia Strategic Plan 2019-2022[PDF • 9.51 mb]
- Ski and Snowboard Australia Strategic Plan 2016-2019[PDF • 3.02 mb]
- Ski and Snowboard Australia Strategic Plan 2015-2018[PDF • 3.02 mb]
- Ski and Snowboard Australia Strategic Plan 2010-2014[PDF • 324.92 kb]
- Skiing Australia Strategic Plan 2002-2006[PDF • 735.34 kb]
- Australian Alpine Review Report (2008)[PDF • 97.13 kb]
- Australian Alpine Review: Recommendations (2008)[PDF • 16.05 kb]
- Australian Alpine Review: Recommended Australian Alpine Leadership Structure (2008)[PDF • 7.91 kb]
- Review of the governance of Ski and Snowboard Australia (2006)[PDF • 1.93 mb]
- Review of the governance of Ski and Snowboard Australia: Executive summary and appendices (2006)[PDF • 858.95 kb]
- Review of the governance of Ski and Snowboard Australia: Addendum (2006)[PDF • 18.39 kb]
