OLYMPIC mogul skiing champion Jakara Anthony visits Mount Buller for the season opening each year.

The 25-year-old first learned to ski at Buller when she was four years old and still feels a close connection to the mountain.

“I think the community is a really special thing at Mount Buller and the people up here are just so incredible,” she said.

“It’s still all the same people working up here, some new, and everyone has been a part of my journey in some way.

“It’s special to get up and share that with them.”

Nearly two decades since she first arrived at Buller, Jakara said there were still so many people that have been such a big part of her career including Cate Sullivan from ski school who was one of her first instructors.

“She still helps me out with bits and pieces to this day,” Jakara said.

Jakara has racked up numerous accolades including winning 14 out of 16 moguls’ events in the World Cup circuit in the 2023 to 2024 season.

In May she was crowned Female Athlete of the Year at the Snow Australia awards in Melbourne.

“The 2022 Winter Olympic gold in Beijing is definitely the most special to me,” she said.

“There’s a lot of work that went into it for myself, and many people along the way, so for it all to finally come together from that one night and achieve that result was super special.”

Jakara looks up to a number of other athletes including former Australian aerial skier Alisa Camplin who won gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

“I really aspire to approach things like her,” she said.

“I’ve gotten a lot of help from her along the way too, so I’m very lucky in that aspect.

“I get to train with a great crew in the mogul team and they are pushing me every day to be better and better.”

Jakara provided two top tips for first-time skiers.

“You definitely want to take a lesson, it is a pretty tricky sport, and a little bit of extra help can go a long way," she said.

“Another thing you want is the right gear.

“The worst thing that I can think of is going out there and being cold.”