Wanaka, New Zealand (Tuesday, July 25, 2006) - New Zealand's Treble Cone ski area is hosting the Kristin School of Snow Sports for the fourth year in a row. The Auckland international school, located on the North Shore, has brought 55 children to the Wanaka ski field to train with the Treble Cone Race Academy.

Kristin School pupils, ranging from four-year-old kindergarten children to 18-year-old senior school students, will participate in a variety of three and five-week ski academy programs at Treble Cone. Children are accompanied by their coaches and an additional 40 parents.

"Treble Cone yet again provides an ideal location for our pupils, with the highly professional Race Academy coaches, terrain for all abilities and reliable weather providing maximum days on snow," said Yvonne Walker, Snow Sports Manager at Kristin School. "Many of the children are experiencing their first true alpine Big Mountain experience in natural snow. Before arriving at Treble Cone, children had been training two days per week at the indoor snow center Snow Planet in Auckland.

"The Treble Cone Race Academy has been phenomenal for our pupils’ snow sports development," Walker continued. "With children achieving so early, they have great opportunity to succeed and develop their talents at an earlier age."

Treble Cone's international flavor – both in terms of staff and guests – is another huge benefit to the children's education, says Kristin School Principal Peter Clague.

"It's another passport to travel," explained Clague. "Children meet and interact with internationals and open their eyes to new cultures at this internationally-renowned ski area.

"It's also fulfilling to see the strong team-building between pupils on the slopes. Natural role modeling has developed respect up the age groups. Young children mix with older students, teaching good values which reflect our school's values."

The success of the partnership between the Treble Cone Race Academy and Kristin School is evidenced with the recent selection of pupil Ben Ridley for the SPARC Future Champion 2005 in Skiing, the New Zealand Junior team in the Whistler Junior World Cup, his victory in North and South Islands Champs and position in New Zealand Development team. Other high achievers include Kate Brownsey, Fraser Brownsey, Edward Lee and Phoebe Young – all winners in their age group at the Mapei Race.

Children taking part in the Treble Cone programs ski five days a week and also attend lessons once a week to ensure they fulfill their educational needs.