Skiing adventurer Huw Kingston plots 700km, 12-resort Australian Alps odyssey for Indigenous library

Huw Kingston's trip will see him travel by touring skis across Australia's spectacular high country. (ABC: Melissa Clarke)

Huw Kingston is used to gruelling, epic journeys across thousands of kilometres.

In 2015, he clocked up 13,000 kilometres circumnavigating the Mediterranean Sea by kayak, bicycle, boat and on foot.

Now approaching 60 years of age, the Southern Highlands adventurer will embark on a freezing challenge to cross the Australian Alps on skis for charity.

"I'm probably not as strong as I was 30 years ago, but I still love being out in the mountains, being in a tent with snow all around and putting the billy on and making a coffee.

Huw Kingston completed a similar trip 25 years ago. (Supplied: Huw Kingston)

"I'm still as childishly enthusiastic as I was about being out there."

Right on cue for the arrival of winter, the alpine areas of New South Wales have received an Antarctic blast and dumping of snow.

The snow will not only ensure a strong start to the state's ski season but also provide ample surface for Mr Kingston to trek across with his touring skis.

An odyssey including 12 ski resorts

Mr Kingston completed a similar journey 25 years ago.

"It's going to be a tough journey and I'm a bit older now, but no wiser," he said.

This journey will see him set out from Mount Baw Baw in Victoria and finish at Mount Bimberi in the ACT, visiting each of the 12 ski resorts along the way.

Huw Kingston will visit Mount Selwyn, which has been rebuilt after burning in the Black Summer bushfires. (Supplied: Huw Kingston)

"It does override the pain and the challenge, otherwise I wouldn't keep doing it."

He is particularly excited about visiting Mount Selwyn, which was devastated in the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20.

After being extensively rebuilt, the snowfield will reopen for the first time since the bushfires in July for the beginning of the snow season.

"A lot of friends want to drop in and the resorts have been amazing and are looking forward to hosting me when I appear out of the bush," Mr Kingston said.

"When I get to the resorts, I'll get a chance to ski with a lot of people there."

Huw Kingston says the satisfaction of raising money for Our Yarning will help him through difficult weather. (Supplied: Huw Kingston)

Indigenous library project

Mr Kingston has worked with the Save The Children charity for years.

It has now developed a digital collection of Aboriginal story books for children, called Our Yarning.

"As a writer and adventurer, I am increasingly aware that this spectacular country has been home to the world's oldest culture for tens of thousands of years," he said.

He intends to raise $50,000 for the charity.

The journey will start at the end of July and is expected to take him 50 days.

Winter has begun with an Arctic blast and snow over Australia's alpine areas (file photo). (Supplied: Thredbo)