Olympic  Winter Institute athletes and Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holders Lydia Lassila, Alex Pullin, Joh Shaw and Katya Crema helped kick off the 2010 ski season at Mt Buller over the weekend.

All four Vancouver Olympians were guests at the OWI’s Masquerade Cocktail Party on Sunday evening, a fundraiser for the Institute, and also took part in other events where they were happy to tell the story of their Olympic experiences and their plans for the future.

Aerial skiing gold medallist Lassila played a key part in the opening celebrations, as the double chairlift that runs alongside the aerial training precinct and jump site on the Chamois run was named the ‘Lydia Lassila Chairlift'.

"The Mt Buller community couldn't be more proud of Lydia's gold medal performance," said Laurie Blampied, General Manager of Buller Ski Lifts.

"Naming one of our chairlifts after her will cement that memory into the history of the mountain for years to come"."

"Lydia is an inspiration to young skiers and athletes, and Buller Ski Lifts has been a proud partner of the Olympic Winter Institute and the women's aerial ski team, providing a dedicated training precinct here at Mt Buller for many years."

"When Alisa Camplin earned a gold medal in 2002 we named the winter sports centre after her. It's fitting that we now add to the aerials training precinct with a lift named after Lydia."

Lydia shared her excitement at the special celebrations.

"It's great to be back at Mt Buller and celebrating the season opening with friends and family. Mt Buller has been a big part of my life and to have my own lift is a real thrill" said the gold medal winner."

The OWI athletes also joined locals in a torch relay around the Mt Buller Village as part of the lively program of opening weekend celebrations on Saturday concluding in a fireworks display.