Brockhoff honoured by Snow Australia

At the 2026 Snow Australia Awards in Melbourne, four Australian winter athletes were honoured with the prestigious Snow Australia Medal, recognising their careers as they transition into the next chapter.

New South Wales Institute of Sport scholarship holders Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin and Belle Brockhoff joined Harry Laidlaw and Phil Bellingham in being awarded the medal, which was introduced to celebrate athletes who have represented Australia or achieved outstanding success at the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, World Championships and World Cup events.

This medal recognises both past and retiring athletes, cementing their legacy within the sport.

For the Pullin family, the moment was both emotional and deeply meaningful. Accepting the medal on behalf of his late son, Chris Pullin reflected on the impact of Chumpy’s life and career.

“It’s quite remarkable, isn’t it,” he said. “It’ll be six years in July. As the years go by, there will be people who know of his legacy, but fewer and fewer people who knew him personally. There’s a lot of people here tonight that knew him, and they are approaching me with a lot of love, it feels good.”

“Snow Australia and snowboarding were such a big part of his life. He was really happy in that world. To be here tonight… it’s mixed emotions, as you can imagine, but it’s good.” he said.

Three-time Olympian and decorated snowboard cross athlete Belle Brockhoff sees the medal as both the closing of a chapter and the beginning of a new role within the sport. Recently elected as the winter sports representative to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Athletes’ Commission, Brockhoff is focused on supporting the next generation.

“I want to be involved with helping athletes, supporting them, and making sure they have everything they need,” Brockhoff said. “I can keep working on the projects I had as an athlete, but now for others. I think that will be really satisfying.”

“It feels like the end of my competitive chapter, but the start of something new and it’s special to have the backing of my community here.” she said.

Four-time Winter Olympian Phil Bellingham, who has represented Australia across both cross-country skiing and ski mountaineering, reflected on a career that exceeded his own expectations.

“The Games for me were amazing. I couldn’t have expected a better result. It just exceeded all expectations in terms of my skiing,” he said.

“I honestly didn’t expect to have the career that I had. I think I made young Phil proud.”

Having competed at four Olympic Games, Bellingham said receiving the Snow Australia Medal was something he never imagined.

“I’m honoured to receive this medal. I can look back fondly on my career and be really proud of what I’ve achieved.”

For two-time Olympian and alpine skier Harry Laidlaw, the night was as much about community as it was about the recognition of his own career.

“With me retiring, it’s a special night,” Laidlaw said.

“It’s great to see old friends and celebrate not only my career, but everyone else’s as well. It’s a nice time to reflect and see what other people’s journeys were like.”

As the Snow Australia Awards continue to celebrate the success of athletes across the snowsports community, it is special to recognise those athletes that wrote Australia’s proud history on the international stage, and to keep inspiring young talent to continue the success of winter sport.

Snow Australia