Working in NZ

grandwizard

New member
I am currently a CSIA Level 1 ski instructor, and also have my level 1 park and pipe. I work at a small hill in Ontario and am thinking about working in New Zealand next summer. I was wondering if anyone had done something similar in the past, and had advice about visas or any helpful information they could share. Any advice, reccomendations or stories would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
 
I wanted to look into this as well, I'm in pretty much the same boat as you, except I don't have my park and pipe. I'll get that this season or my CSIA level 2. Anyone have any info?
 
get more certification.

as far as i know, a CSIA level 1 is not internationally recognized. it's not until you get your level 2 or 3 that you can go work abroad with your certification.

get in touch with CSIA to make sure though
 
I think that you need to have your level 3 to teach here. they have a lot of information on www.nzski.com (sorry im not making it clickable) it's particularly relevant if you're looking in the queenstown area for work, but it's prob the same if you're gonna be in wanaka. As far as visas go you have two options. Option 1 is the one i chose - Working Holiday Visa. It's a ONE TIME visa so that you can work while you're here for up to one year. Uber easy to get, I got mine approved like 3 days after i applied. Option 2 is get a job offer before you come and get a visa through the company. This is more difficult because I believe the company has to prove that there are no willing workers native to new zealand before they can offer you one. Working Holiday is def the easiest because due to the limited number of jobs instructing here, it leaves you with a back-up plan where you can find other kinds of work around town and still be garunteed to be able to come to NZ and ski.

If you have other questions PM me
 
Yes you can teach with Level 2 there, but most places ask for Level 3 or ISIA stamp. You can try the treble cone hiring clinic if your not level 3. Although its not a guaranteed job, could be really homo if you use up your OWH and you dont get a job.
 
Yes you can teach with Level 2 there, but most places ask for Level 3 or ISIA stamp. You can try the treble cone hiring clinic if your not level 3. Although its not a guaranteed job, could be really homo if you use up your OWH and you dont get a job.
 
me and my buddy had the exact same qualifications after a season in Canada, level 1 and pipe/park level 1 and we both went to NZ in the summer (their winter) he taught in one of the resorts around Queenstown (can't remember the name) for the whole season and i just dicked around in the park. So you won't have any problem, you're qualified enough.
 
Thanks for responding everyone.

I've got some family in NZ and they're looking into visas and stuff for me. The only real problem is that I don't think i qualify for the Working Holiday because I'll only be 17 when the season starts, so i might have to wait an extra year before going.

I was also wondering what mountains you guys would suggest, what has the best park, backcountry etc... Currently I'm looking into Mount Ruapehu, because they have staff accomidation and that would save me a fortune.
 
Anyone know where I could look to find a summer job in NZ that would give me apple skiing time? I'm not a certified ski instructor.
 
Most people come to Wanaka and get jobs in bars, restaurants, supermarkets, and ski shops. If you come early, its pretty easy to find a night job in a restaurant. Ski shops are harder to get work at since most people will return from prior years.
 
If you are looking for all-around i'd say go to Wanaka and you can ski Cardrona (sick parks) and Treble Cone (sick terrain) plus you're closer to Snow Park if you need a crazy park day. Queenstown has Remarkables and Coronet Peak, Remarks has a pretty solid terrain park, Coronet has some decent off-piste skiing but is kinda lame if you ask me. BC can be pretty sketchy here, a few people died early season. I dont know anything about Ruapehu.
 
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