Australia Joins the Team: Meet Martin Longhitano

We’re proud to have him. Not because of one clip, although "The Filth" and "Atom" is worth twenty minutes of your evening, but because of how he goes about it. Australia gets a short, mild winter and almost no snow in town. Martin waits it out, goes looking for street spots at altitude once everyone else has gone home, and skis them with the style intact. Nobody asked him to do that. He just does it, because that’s the kind of skier he is.

We sent him some questions. Here’s Martin, in his own words.

Who is Martin Longhitano

Short version first. Who’s Martin Longhitano, where in Australia are you from?

I was born in Mona Vale on Sydney Northern Beaches and I’m half Italian.

For people who don’t know it: what’s the Australian ski scene actually like? Which resorts did you grow up riding, and what’s the vibe at each?

The Australian ski scene is special, it has a bit of everything. It has multicultural influences from all over the world and a big surf/skate culture. We have snow gumtrees and classic Australian wildlife. I rode Thredbo growing up, just some weekend trips during the winter and then started doing full seasons at Perisher when I was 20.

Skiing in Australia

Walk someone through the Australian season: when does it start and end, and what are the conditions really like across it? What’s the trade-off riding here versus the northern hemisphere?

The Aussie winter starts in June and ends at the beginning of October. It is a pretty mild winter we don’t normally get lots of snow and isn’t very cold. All types of snow conditions, the Aussies are keen to make the most of it because snow being so limited.

If a skier from Europe or North America landed in Australia in July or August wanting to ride, where would you send them and why?

I still haven’t skied all the ski resorts here but I would say Perisher to ski the park and Thredbo to ski the mountain.

Street skiing in a country with no snow

You’re known for street skiing. How did you end up chasing street in a country that isn’t exactly famous for it, and what does it actually take to make it happen here?

We rarely get snow in town of Jindabyne it melts pretty fast. Most spots are at a higher at altitude around the ski resorts, so I wait until the season is over and when it’s quiet.

How would you describe your style to someone who’s never seen you ride? What are you drawn to: park, street, backcountry, all of it?

I would say I’m well round skier, freeride and rails are my strengths.

What’s on your list? Spots, tricks, projects, places you want to film next.

I would love to do street and freeride trips worldwide. Too many spots and tricks on my list. 1000skis spread more creativity through the gear and their team. I love to see is all the different styles the team has.

The skis, and joining 1000skis

What are you riding, and what do you actually want out of a ski for the way you ski?

I ride the park and the all mountain ski. The thing I want the most is trust out of a ski, having it support me in all different conditions and circumstances.

How did you come across 1000skis, and what made you want to be part of it?

I was a big fan of all the skiers involved before they created the ski brand 1000skis.

How much of your skiing is about style versus sending?

Style and sending are both important to me. I try to preserve my body by choosing what to send so I focus on style.

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Trust in all conditions, style over sending, and a season that runs while the rest of the ski world is on the beach. Welcome to the team, Martin.
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Follow Martin: @martinlonghitano