THE eyes of the world are focused on Wanaka ski fields this week as prospective Winter Olympics medalists showcase their talents in the Winter Games. However, closer to town the next generation of winter athletes have also been honing skills following special deliveries from volunteer organisation “Snowdrifta”. For the past seven years, Snowdrifta has delivered truckloads of snow to Wanaka’s early childhood centres to transform playgrounds into mini ski fields. The Aspiring Beginnings Early Learning Centre was buzzing with excitement on Thursday with children lining up to try out skis, sleds and toboggans on the pintsized slopes. ‘‘The children were so excited knowing the snow was coming. They were outside waiting on their wee skis waiting for the truck’’ senior teacher Pru Hollyer said. ‘‘Everyone is thrilled the children get this opportunity. Not every family gets up the mountains these days. It’s a big expense and many parents are working. ‘‘This makes it so easy for the children to get a snow experience. We make a huge day out of it and the children just love it. They learn great skills,’’ Mrs Hollyer said. Snowdrifta crew member Davey Hawken said this year’s ‘‘Snow to the Kids’’ project, which would deliver snow to seven centres, could not have functioned without support from businesses BP and the Hire Centre. The vital ingredient, snow, had been provided by The Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground, he said. ‘‘The kids are so stoked when the snow arrives,’’ Mr Hawken said. ‘‘We’ve been doing this long enough now to know it makes a big difference to the kids. Children who have now started school are telling us it made a great difference to their confidence on snow.’’
