The vice-captain and his team-mates checked-in to Stein Eriksen Lodge on Friday afternoon (Utah time) and were quickly put to work the following morning.
After some light ball work indoors, the players headed out on their first hike.
View the best photos from day one
While the one-hour trek was only a taste of what’s to come, the tough conditions didn't make things easy.
“Wrighty (Sam Wright) and Scott McMahon came over here with the coach (Brad Scott). They’ve been having their shirts off, tanning on the balconies, “ Ziebell joked.
“The first time all the boys got here we got a bit of a blizzard happening. It’s quite amazing to see, but I think the novelty wears off pretty quick when you can’t feel your hands.”
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The relentless snow is only half the battle.
“The breathing up here is something else. You can’t really prepare for it unless you are here. We did a couple of bits of jogging and after about 100 metres you feel like you’ve done two k’s (kilometres).
“The first couple of nights you wake up in the middle of the night and you wake up in a bit of a panic trying to suck them in. It’s a little bit difficult, but you sort of get used to it after a while.”
Off-season additions Nick Dal Santo, Robin Nahas and father-son selection Luke McDonald were all welcomed for their first session in the royal blue and white.
“Nick is actually in my room. He’s a pretty good fella. I think he doesn’t know quite what to expect being on the Utah camp,” Ziebell added.
“Day one might scare the boys a little bit with so much snow around.”
Now a veteran of Utah camps, Ziebell understands the benefits it provides, and not just in a playing sense.
“For the last four years it’s been a vital part of our pre-season. The bonding experience is great.
“Having five guys in a room who you mightn’t necessarily spend a heap of time with outside of footy is also good - it brings you very close.
“It’s very important this three weeks’ training is quite solid and that sets us up for next year as well. It’s exciting times ahead.”
