Hamish says he and twin brother Fraser (also a Class Act recipient) were "brought up on skis"; their parents had them "up the mountain" soon after they could walk.
Since he started freeskiing five years ago he has had many successes in half-pipe and slope-style competitions.
At New Zealand Junior nationals Hamish finished second in half-pipe and slope-style competitions last year.
His recent success secured him a place on the New Zealand Freeski Development Team (Slopestyle and Halfpipe) and he was selected as an athlete recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Sport, SPARC and Snow Sports NZ for the Winter Performance Programme, 2008.
Hamish also commits to an extensive "dry-land", off-season training regime which can often prove more perilous than real skiing.
He says while training on a trampoline at home he has sustained several serious injuries and "breaks" while trying new tricks.
A recent highlight - at "La Disco du Cirque" Circus in Auckland in June also took its toll, and a hard landing on a pad broke an arm.
Both Hamish and brother Fraser say the biggest challenge is integrating school work into their busy training and competition schedule, especially as they both have scholarship subjects to study for.
Achievements: 1st Queenstown Winter Festival Rail Jam, 1st Overall Moro Slopestyle winner, 2007 and second in Base Downtown Rail Jam.
Role model: "The coaches who have had the biggest impact on my skiing - Marty Jillings and Mike Hanley."
Hopes for the future: "To continue competing in skiing events and to gain an economics degree."