LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (April 27, 2011) – 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games is taking to the streets this winter with theannouncement of two massive downtown big airs as part of the Skullcandy NZ Big Air Series. The first will launch Winter Games NZ in Auckland on Queen’s Birthday weekend while the second will be part of the closing weekend in Methven in August.

The Skullcandy NZ Big Air Series will kick off with the Auckland Big Air on 4 June. Alongside the return of the Air New Zealand Auckland Snow Show, the Auckland Big Air will transform Viaduct Basin into a massivespectacle of ski, snowboard, wakeboards and FMX action.

A 17m high ramp made from 30 tons of scaffold and containers will hold 60 cubic metres of snow provided by Snow Planet to propel local and international athletes over a 50-foot gap jump. A portable ramp will be built for the FMX riders and the Viaduct itself will host jet-ski and wakeboarding exhibitions.

The Air New Zealand Auckland Snow Show will take place in marquees around the big air zone and will host local and international exhibitors featuring travel holidays, ski and snowboard equipment, outerwear, rental vehicles, resorts and more with great deals on offer for the public.

The Big Air series will wrap with the Methven Big Air on 27 August. The event will also mark the closing weekend of 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games, following the Super G at Mt Hutt.

A 17m ramp outside Methven’s famous Blue Pub will be flanked by a FMX riders’ jump and will also feature a spectacular fireworks display. For the first time, some of the world’s top snowmobile drivers will join skiers and snowboarders to thrill the crowd with massive air and gravity defying tricks off the huge ramp.

The evening will finish with an after-party featuring top New Zealand band The Black Seeds performing in a marquee outside the Blue Pub.

100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games takes place from 12 – 28 August 2011 featuring a full off-snow festival programme as well as world-class snow and ice competition in Dunedin, Naseby, Queenstown, Wanaka and Methven.

The Skullcandy NZ Big Air Series is supported by Coronet Peak and NZSki.com

For further information, visit www.wintergamesnz.com

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