Sponsors/Support if any: RCR, Rossignol, Smith, Helly Hansen

What makes you passionate about skiing?
It’s such a thrill to always be able to get my adrenaline pumping, skiing with my mates, meeting new people and always having a wicked time.

What are your aspirations in skiing?
To one day win the IFSA world tour. Also one day get into ski movies and to be able to get little Grommies out there ripping it up. I spent the NZ ski season coaching some Grommies and it was really rewarding seeing them progress to little rippers.

Who are your current role models or who inspires you?
I have so many people that I look up to especially the people that taught me to ski in Fernie – I thank them for that! I really just look up to anyone that rips and likes to go hard. But most importantly I am really inspired by my twin sister, Maria, I wouldn’t have been able to do a lot of things without her. She’s always pushing me telling me I can go bigger but then she’ll go and rip up a line and go just as big. She amazes me every time I ride with her.

What is your greatest personal achievement in the mountains? (Competition/Line/Trip)
Skiing a first decent on the Lizard Head wall in Fernie with Stokie. It was the last day of the season ‘06’ and he had showed me the line earlier that day. I was really nervous all day having to wait till after 4 to ski it but so amped. It was the greatest sensation after I skied it. I named it ‘BJ’.

How have you dedicated your life to the mountains and adventure?
After having a really good season ‘05’ I headed back to Aus and after 2 weeks was just like ‘F**k this’. I dropped out of uni and was on a plane a week later to Wanaka NZ with my twin sister Maria and $400 between the both of us. We had no idea what to expect but everything just seemed to fall into place. So that was my first back-to-back winter. I’ve just finished another back-to-back winter and have now moved to NZ permanently and dedicated my life to skiing and the mountains. I do the northern hemisphere’s winter, in Fernie and southern hemisphere’s winter, in Wanaka working full-time as a park and pipe coach at Cardrona.

Why have you dedicated your life to mountain pursuits?
Just for the pure love of the mountains and being able to do what I love every day and be able to stay fit whilst doing it. Being able to be involved with such great people. I continuously feel part of a crew and I get huge satisfaction by passing my knowledge to the younger generation about skiing and to see kids enjoying themselves so much. For myself it’s become a lifestyle that’s gotten me hooked.

What are some things the mountains have taught you that have proven valuable in the real world?
Respect the mountains because they are a lot bigger than you. Acknowledging and respecting other people and other people’s feelings and how they cope with fears and excitement and it’s taught me to be a more patient person. I appreciate a lot more and the people around me and the people I work with. It’s also showed me that it is confidence building for myself.

How will the scholarship enable you to further pursue your skiing aspirations?
It will really help me progress my skiing career in all aspects. Getting my name out there, competing and traveling.

How can you be a Biglines.com ambassador?
Spread the word as much as possible down in the Southern Hemisphere. Also make biglines.com known to younger kids – they are the future for skiing.

Check out the other girls in the running for this year's Freeride Scholarship.

What is the Biglines Free Ride Scholarship? Check it out