Did you have any kind of exit strategy if it went wrong? Is there a heli service there?
Both of us are first aid trained: Jake has extensive first aid qualifications and we left a detailed trip plan with some relatives. We also always pack comms – mobiles and radios – plus bivi bags and down sleeping bags just in case if we get any injuries or get stuck in bad weather.

As well you gotta have a first aid kit, crampons and ice axes. We were both wearing transceivers and had shovels and probes. Snowy Hydro Southcare helicopter is available if all goes pear shaped

What’s the highest peak?
Highest peak is Mt Kosciuszko at 2228m. Most peaks in the region are only a couple hundred metres smaller than Kozi though.

Is there any tree riding to be had on flat light days?
There is lots of tree riding to be had on flat light days but the terrain where the trees are isn’t massively steep. There’s still plenty of fun to be had making kickers etc. though.

You see a lot of freestyle stuff coming out of Perisher, but what’s the Aussie freeride scene like?
Interest is growing but even then it is still limited. Lots of people do go out there to ride but it is pretty rare to go out there and see someone else in the chutes. Most of the time the places we go we don’t see anyone.

How long have you been riding? Where do you spend the northern hemisphere winter?
I have been snowboarding 27 years, spending several winters   touring in Canada, France, Switzerland, Italy, Alaska, NZ and the USA.

I now spend the northern hemisphere winter here in Australia working in Canberra, surfing and MTB riding on the weekend.

Jake has been snowboarding for five years and has travelled to Canada, Switzerland and Austria. He also works in Canberra and is away overseas a lot with his job. He spends his spare time in our summer surfing and riding MTB.