Wanaka, New Zealand – Organizers of the World Heli Challenge have announced the launch of the World Heli Challenge Academy, a training camp for skiers and snowboarders from around the world.

The World Heli Challenge Academy programs will be held over seven days in some of New Zealand’s finest skiing destinations (including one day of helicopter backcountry skiing/boarding), access to a cast of international pro athletes, a challenging mix of terrain and a diverse cultural experience for participants, their families and friends.

The inaugural World Heli Challenge Academy will be held at Treble Cone in Wanaka, New Zealand from July 18-24, prior to the 2011 World Heli Challenge which begins July 27.

“The World Heli Challenge has long been a beacon for big mountain athletes and we are seeing more people wanting to follow their heroes into the world of big mountain skiing and snowboarding,” explains World Heli Challenge founder Tony “Harro” Harrington. “The World Heli Challenge Academy creates a pathway, especially for young people, to learn from the best, to develop respect and understanding for the alpine environment and to harness the skills vital to survival in the big mountains of the world.”

The curriculum offered by the Academy spans topics such as mountain safety and awareness, backcountry skills, avalanche preparedness, helicopter safety, big mountain skiing and snowboarding technique as well as instruction in alpine environment, health and fitness, personal development and promotion in the snow sports industry. Additional course areas that further round out the program include multimedia skills, sponsorship and media awareness and personal leadership.

“Big mountain skiing requires three specific things: access, experience and awareness. It has taken me over 10 years to acquire the skills necessary to be competitive in big mountain environments,” says World Heli Challenge athlete and Academy mentor Chris Booth, one of the athletes contributing to the World Heli Challenge Academy. “Experiencing world class mountain environments in the company of the sport’s elite will not only allow the transfer of this knowledge to young athletes, but will accelerate their physical ability, self-awareness and maturity in a way that I could only have dreamt about when I was that age. It will be life-changing for these kids, I am very excited to be a part of this ground-breaking program.”

The Academy programs are available for both juniors and adults. The Junior Program is open to experienced and confident skiers and snowboarders ages 12 to 17. Applicants will be selected across a wide range of criteria and competition for the Academy places is expected to be strong. The Adult Program is geared toward experienced and confident skiers and snowboarders in good physical health will love the unique challenges and learning opportunities offered at the Academy.   The Academy team will tailor programs to suit participants and their skill levels and objectives. Adult programs are suited to parents with children enrolled in the Junior Academy who wish to develop similar skills and understanding alongside their child.

In addition to the Academy at Treble Cone, further programs are already being planned at Mt. Buller (Australia), Jackson Hole (Wyo.), Cordova (Alaska) and Chamonix (France).

Those seeking more information or who would like to apply for the inaugural academy can log on to www.worldhelichallenge.com/academy.