The Snowvision Foundation is a Charitable Trust committed to building a new future for New Zealand snow sports. We have created an integrated approach for the benefit of all New Zealand snow sports and the industry. Our overarching vision is to 'put black on white on top of the world, done smart and rewarded'

Creating a capital fund

The Future depends on what we do in the present. - Mahatma Gandi

To provide financial resources to support New Zealand's competitive future on the snow, the Snowvision Foundation aims to build a capital fund of $5 million from donations, legacies, sponsorship, fundraising activities and the commercial development of the 'black on white' brand.

The fund will be invested with the aim of providing regular returns to be used for the purposes of the trust.

Getting Started

Investment performance requires similar qualities to those needed by any high performance snow sports athlete: vision, commitment, planning, focus, dedicated expertise, and the experience to deliver top performances no matter what the conditions.

What does it cost to fund success on the snow?

To prepare for success, a snow sport athlete requires management, coaches, equipment, physical trainers and facilities, physiotherapy, nutritionists, and psychologists. The nature of snow sports incurs significant travel and accommodation costs throughout the year, especially with 5 months being spent in the Northern Hemisphere for the main competitive season each year.

We estimate that basic costs for each athlete are between $50,000 and $60,000 a year.

Promoting New Zealand as a winter destination

To build New Zealand's credibility in the competitive snow sport world, the Snowvision Foundation aims to promote New Zealand as an international winter destination to take advantage of the large global snow sports market.

New Zealand as a training destination

We believe that there is the opportunity to convince more countries to send their teams here for southern hemisphere training. Currently our snow fields attract some of the best alpine athletes and teams in the world - such as Bode Miller, Herman Maier, ski teams from Austria, USA, Germany. By revealing our alpine resources to influential snow sport athletes, we can lift awareness of New Zealand as a snow sport nation and provide local athletes with some excellent role models.

How can you help?

To build our capital fund, the Snowvision Foundation is seeking donations of cash and goods (which could be auctioned), sponsorship opportunities, ideas about how to raise money. If you can help in any way, please email f.stevens@snowvision.org.nz

Patrons:

• Lady Tait

Founding Patron:

• Sir Edmund Hillary (1919 - 2008)

Trustees:

• Richard Mehrtens Chairman Snowvision
• Fiona Stevens CEO Snowvision
• Simon Allen
• Tony Hannon
• Tony Nowell

Fiona Stevens

Fiona Stevens, Snowvision's founder, combines the insight of a former ski champion with skills acquired during 20 years in business. As one of the first New Zealanders to compete in ski racing internationally, Fiona has a real understanding of what it takes to be a successful alpine athlete. In her own words: "Snow sport has given me a lot, and now I want to give something back. New Zealand has so much going for it - we're surrounded by water, but our landscape is defined by mountains. As a nation we know that success at the highest level is possible for a small country - look at the examples set by Sir Edmund Hillary and the New Zealand challenge for the Americas Cup. It's my vision to help unlock the potential of this country as a snow sports nation".