he final weekend of the 2026 Mt Buller Winter Program is upon us. Sadly, Mother Nature didn't play along this season, but we're glad we were able to run most events and give our athletes the chance to test themselves in competition and give their best. Well done to everyone who competed over the past month, and good luck to everyone heading to Perisher for the Australian Interschools next week.

FreeBOM this Saturday night on Bourke St - Enter Now!
See the story below on this year's event. The FreeBOM website has been updated with the new date, and entries are now open. Enter online at https://www.freebom.ski

Australian Interschools Coaching - EOI Form
Team Buller will offer additional coaching to athletes competing at the Australian Interschools @ Perisher in Moguls and Slopestyle (Ski and Snowboard).

As we will only have a few coaches available to attend, places will be limited, so please submit your Expression of Interest via the form link below as soon as possible.

https://forms.gle/eCqKQyRoU8TWsnWT6

Please submit by 5pm Thursday 27 August. We will then confirm your place and let you know the cost per day. This cost will go towards the additional coaching wages, coach accommodation and transport.

Team Buller 2027 Mt Buller Winter Program - Applicant Criteria
Following record numbers again this season, and already strong interest from people wanting to join Team Buller in 2027, we have updated our criteria for both new and returning athletes joining the program next year.

The criteria reflect our core values as a competition-focused ski and snowboard club: developing the technical skill platform our athletes need to improve, become the best athletes they can be, and achieve personal best results in competition.

Visit the draft 2027 Applicant Information Page:
https://www.teambuller.com/applicant-information.html

Note: this new criteria will also apply to those interested in our 2027 Whistler Camp.

2027 Whistler Camp Update
Team Buller Coaching Director Tim Gale is currently reviewing all Expressions of Interest received since submissions closed in early August.

We will contact everyone over the next week to let them know if their EOI was successful, 
with a non-refundable deposit also to be sent out.

Kind regards,
Andrew Pattison
Team Buller Manager

Some of Australia's best junior freestyle talent descended on Mt Buller last weekend for the Bounce Inc Freestyle Fest, with skiers and boarders from resorts around the country competing over three days for a $12,500 prize pool put up by major sponsors Adams Estate Agents and Bounce Inc.
 
The action opened with the Adams jNats Mogul event on Bourke Street on Friday August 7, drawing a 100-strong field that competed throughout the day before night finals lit up the iconic run.
 
Olympic mogul skiing gold and silver medallist Dale Begg-Smith added to the occasion, presenting medals to the podium finishers.
 
Saturday's Bounce Inc Big Air event moved the action to the Skyline Terrain Park, where skiers and boarders tackled one of the biggest publicly accessible jumps in Australia.
 
The festival wrapped up on Sunday with the Bounce Inc Rail Jam, held in tough conditions in the rail park on the Gliders area near Spurs/Northside Express.
 
Thanks go to Mt Buller for hosting the event, prize sponsors Oakley and Black Crows, and Snow Australia for supplying the event medals.

Congratulations to the following event winters:

Updated August 5

First Day of 2026 Winter Program/Two week official Victorian School Holiday training

• Saturday June 27 to Sunday July 12
• Days off Wednesday July 1, Sunday July 5 and Thursday July 9

Team Buller Parents/Coaches Social Outing

• Saturday July 4 (Time and Venue TBC)

Team Buller "Fridays" Days (5 in total)

• July 17
• July 24
• July 31
• August 7
• August 14

 
Bounce Inc. Freestyle Festival – August 7-9

• Adams jNats Moguls Friday August 7
• Big Air  Saturday August 8
• Rail Jam Sunday August 9

 
Victorian Interschools Snowsport Championships @ Mt Buller

• Sunday August 16 to Sunday August 23

 
ABOM Mogul Challenge

• CANCELLED Saturday August 29

FreeBOM

• NEW DATE Saturday August 15

Last day of 2026 Winter Program

• Sunday August 30

 
Australian Interschools Snowsport Championships @ Perisher

• Tuesday September 1 to Sunday September 6

 
Extra September School Holiday Training

• TBC, conditions permitting.

Competition season is here, with the Mt Buller Freestyle Fest next weekend. It includes the Adams jNats Moguls on Friday 7th August, the Bounce Inc Big Air on Saturday 8th August, and Rail Jam on Sunday 9th August.

The Freestyle Fest boasts a total cash prize pool of $12,500 from major event sponsors Bounce Inc and Adams Estate Agents, the largest for any junior event in Australia. There are further prizes from Oakley and Black Crows, plus medals from Snow Australia.

We recommend all Team Buller members to compete across the three days. If you have any questions, please reach out to your coach​

For more information on each event and to enter, visit 
https://www.teambuller.com/freestyle-fest.html

Great to see conditions improving by the day — snowfalls, blue skies, and now cold overnight temperatures helping the snowmakers build the base.

The snowmakers have had two great nights, and we're hoping for news soon on new terrain opening up for a big finish to the school holidays.

We're currently still running on the modified schedule, staggering our groups on snow to maximise training quality on Bourke Street. 

Once new terrain opens, we expect to revert to the traditional training times for all groups: 9am–12pm and 1pm–3pm, meeting in the Village Square.

Our WhatsApp Group will be our main tool for communicating any changes.

Team Buller Social Outing a great success
The annual Team Buller Social Outing took place last Saturday afternoon at the Arlberg Hotel, with a great turnout from parents and coaches. 

It was a great way to celebrate the start of the season and for parents to meet the coaching team.

Website Store Now Open
Our online website store is now open! 

Visit https://www.teambuller.com/store.html

Retro White Windcheaters, Hats, and Black Soft Shells are available to purchase.
Retro white windcheaters, hats, and black soft shells are available to purchase. Items bought by 5pm can be collected the next day in the Village Square at 9am on training days (not a day off).

Who: Parents, Coaches & Fun Friends
What: The Team Buller Social Outing is an opportunity for you to get together with Coaches, Staff and other program Parents and kick off the celebrations for our 41st year of operating program on the mountain. 
 
When: Saturday July 4, 2026
Time: 4pm to 5:30pm
Where: Arlberg Hotel
 
Why: It is a great opportunity for the parents to meet: one another, your child's coach and learn about the people behind your child's on snow progression.
 
How: $30 per person, purchase online www.teambuller.com/store.html
Includes: Drinks (Beer, Wine, Sparkling, Soft Drink) and finger food
 
RSVP: Via purchase link online by Thursday July 2, 5pm at www.teambuller.com/store.html

Note: Changes from previous update in red

It will be a very different start to the program given the conditions, but we do plan to have a mix of on snow and dryland training on all scheduled days. 

On snow, the Buller Ski Lifts Mountain Operations team has been working hard to initially get Bourke St open for the Kings Birthday Weekend, and since keeping it open — currently the only lift-serviced run in Victoria, and the longest run open in Australia. There will also be rail features in Gliders Park available for program use.

UPDATE - In order to maximise on-snow time across all seasonal programs and the public, Buller Ski Lifts will be running Bourke St Express Chairlift from 7am to 7pm! With some exclusive times (7am to 830am) for seasonal programs. 

​Off snow, we have exclusive use of the Buller Air Zone each day from 9am–12pm, and now in addition 2pm to 3pm, with groups rotating through alongside a range of other dryland activities.

First Morning Meeting Location — Mt Buller Cinema
Meet at the Mt Buller Cinema, aim to arrive by 8:50am.

• Wear your new 2026 Team Buller Jacket and bring dryland gear and runners
• No ski/ snowboard equipment needed for first morning meeting at the cinema
• Parents are welcome to attend at the start for the welcome speech by Coaching & Performance Director Tim Gale. 
• Tim will also give an update on the training schedule, times and meeting place. Communication will be key, with WhatsApp groups essential for each group, due to varying training times across the program in order to maximise training. 
• Groups will be assigned in the cinema before activities begin
• All groups will be on snow in the afternoon session on Saturday, bring your ski and snowboard equipment. Your coach will advise session time
• Note: the morning meeting place will revert back to the Village Square on Sunday

 
Still need to collect your Karbon Jacket? 
Jackets will be available at the Cinema from 9am on Saturday.
 
Who to contact if you have any questions in the next week?
Team Buller Manager Andrew Pattison is currently overseas attending a wedding … missing his first weekend in 25 years! 

For any program questions until he returns next week, please contact either:

Tim Gale - Coaching & Performance Director
Phone 0402 287 619 
Email [email protected]

Scott Birrell Coach & Program Development Manager
Phone 0409 173 519
Email [email protected]

In the meantime, make sure you've reviewed the key items from our last newsletter

• 2026 Team Buller Handbook
• Head Injury & Concussion Policy
  
  
  
  
  

Other Items
Team Buller merchandise — Retro White Windcheaters, Hats, and Black Soft Shells — will go on sale in our online store next week. Stay tuned!


Kind regards,

Andrew Pattison
Team Buller Manager

The date for the 2026 Team Buller Meet & Greet has been finalised, with our sponsor Bounce Inc hosting us. 

Our end of season awards function took place at Bounce Inc Glen Iris in November last year, and was a great success, so we look forward to returning to Bounce Inc again. 

On the day you can:

• Come along to size up and receive your new Karbon 2026 Karbon Team Jacket
• Get together for a chat with 2026 coaches, athletes and families
• Ask any equipment questions
• Function runs from 4pm to 6pm, stop by for as little or long as you like
  
  

Date: Sunday May 24
Time: 4pm to 6pm
Location: Bounce Inc Glen Iris
Address: 2 Weir St, Glen Iris VIC 3146
RSVP: Wednesday May 20 5pm  [email protected]
WHO: 2026 athlete and family members + Coaching Team
PROVIDED: Finger food & soft drink provided for the kids + beer, wine & champagne provided for the over 18’s!
BOUNCING: Covered by Team Buller though our partnership with Bounce Inc!

​Can't make it on the day?
You can submit your jacket size via our online form
For more information, please follow this link
​https://www.teambuller.com/jacket-size.html