Last weekend however, two of Queanbeyan’s youngest athletes shone on the snowy slopes of Steamboat Springs Ski Resort – 14,000km from home.

Nine-year-old Paris McMahon and seven-year-old sister Imogen took out their respective age-group ski jumping titles at the popular Hitchen Brother’s Wednesday Night Jump Series event.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, ski jumping involves athletes hurtling down a steep slope before launching into the air in an attempt to jump the furthest possible distance.

It’s the kind of activity few adults would likely be game to try but mum Nicole Cameron said the two girls had taken a liking to the sport.

‘‘Paris took up jumping a couple of years ago and is absolutely addicted, she’ll jump off anything’’ Cameron said. ‘‘At the moment it’s about just trying to hold her back and not having her take it too seriously.’’

‘‘Imogen’s only started doing it this year but she loves it already.’’

It’s hardly surprising the adventurous duo have shown an aptitude for the discipline given the impressive pedigree they bring to the slopes.

Cameron herself is a former Australian national freestyle skier while her sister, Kylie Gill, is a two-time Winter Olympian.

Paris and Imogen spend four to six weeks every year training at the Steamboat Spring Ski School during the school holidays.

Notably, the area has produced more Winter Olympians than anywhere else in the United States.