The Kiwi snowsports contingent faces a major adjustment, as it prepares for the start of the Beijing Winter Olympics this weekend.
For the first time in Olympic history, man-made snow will be used for the ski and snowboard events - a step taken by organisers due to the city's warmer-than-usual winters.
The change has forced Kiwi athletes to rethink their runs.
"You definitely have to adapt to the snow conditions," snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott tells Newshub. "It's super dry, cold snow, so you have to be a lot more aggressive, but that's snowboarding and you've got to adapt anyway."
All the Kiwi snowsports competitors have had to adjust.
"From what we've heard about the slopestyle venue, it will be a bit different, especially coming from Wanaka, where we're surrounded by beautiful natural mountains," says skier Finn Bilous.
Sadowski-Synnott and Cool Wakushima were among the first to get a taste of just what Saturday’s slopestyle qualifiers will be like.
"You do have to be a bit more aggressive, but it still rides super well," says Sadowski-Synnott.
Meanwhile, skier Ben Barclay feels completely comfortable with the artificial conditions.
"I grew up skiing Snow Planet in Auckland, so in theory, I should be at an advantage," says Barclay.
The Beijing snow is just another factor for the Kiwis to contend with, as they eye winter Olympic glory.
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