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What’s it like to work a ski season in Queenstown New Zealand?
This is a question I get asked time and time again by people I meet and especially when I return home. If you’ve read any of my other articles you’ll already have some kind of inside as to what it’s like to do a ski season in general, but each season is different, and I’d love to dive into the details of each one, starting in New Zealand as they have been most unlike any other season I’ve done.
The WEATHER dictates a lot
In a nutshell, a ski season in Queenstown consists of every weather type imaginable from seriously cold windy days, cloudy days, sunny days, warm days and a semi-disappointing lack of consistent snow. This means sunny lunch on the deck, coming off the hill and being able to go hiking, Frisbee golf in the park, hitting the pool bars in town for very reasonable beers, sophisticated days off wine tasting, walks around the lakes and cocktails and BBQ socials at the end of the season. Paradise much? It’s no wonder I’m one of many that try to come back season after season.
The LOCATION
If we delve into it a bit deeper we find that Queenstown does in fact have so much more to offer. Whether you live the hostel life, or in a lovely big house-share on the lakefront, or further out of town, you’re sure to love the Queenstown location.
It is so easy to get around in winter NZSKI have regular busses taking you up the hill from in and around the town center, you’ll never need to battle the twisty windy roads by yourself. Need to get to Frankton? No problem, there are regular busses to the supermarkets and out of town shops as well as to and from town and Fernhill to visit your mates.
What’s more, working a season up the hill means you’ll probably know half the people around town and will almost always be able to bag yourself a lift to the next activity.
Did someone say PARTY?
The word ‘weeknight’ doesn’t register in the mind of Queenstown’s bar hoppers. Each night you’ll find bartenders crafting cocktails, live music, pub quizzes, game nights and more. Skiers and snowboarders hit the town upon leaving the mountains to soak up all the après ski action with most people heading to the little bar on the corner for a local brew, otherwise known as RedRock or an ever so slightly more sophisticated pint and 1876 sat outside in front of the patio heaters. With cocktail bars down every hidden side street, craft beer breweries and lively pubs ready to welcome you with a hearty meal or a local brew, wherever you live you’re sure to see someone you know at après ski after 4pm. Don’t fancy a big night out? You can bet your bucks that your mates will be keen for a potluck dinner or movie night with an insane amount of snacks and most likely too much wine or beer.
But what about the SKI SCENE?
Queenstown has not one, but two ski mountains to explore, both with a fantastic café and restaurant for you to stay warm when the wind picks up and get a bite to eat when you’ve done as many runs as your legs can handle. If you look at a piste map of either of these mountains you may be disheartened, especially if you’ve ever been skiing in Europe’s bigger resorts.
However, Coronet Peak and the Remarkables aren’t like other resorts since you can ski everywhere! On-piste off-piste and everywhere in between, especially when there is more snow, there isn’t really such a thing as out of bounds. “If it’s white, it’s right”. That’s just the start of it, both mountains have park features; while Coronet Peak boasts natural varying terrain with rollers to shoot off and lips to flip, along with a couple of rails for those brave enough, and the Remarkables has a park for all your jump needs from beginners to those who feel the need to fly.
I’ve spent both seasons skiing mostly Coronet peak and can honestly say that it’s possible to ski a different way down every time you ever ski it, especially since the weather changes the mountain terrain everyday. Plus, everyone in NZSKI ski-school is so friendly that even if you’re not an instructor yourself you’re sure to be able to find an instructor to give you some hints and tips and give you a bit of confidence or in my case hand-holding before you attempt something new and scary.
One word. POWDER
Dreaming of cutting new trails across perfectly untracked powder? Wanting to push your skills to the max and expand your skiing experience? There’s no better reason to do a ski season right? I had no idea before I came to Queenstown that it boasts some of the most amazing, world-class backcountry terrain, some of which you can access from the top of the ski lifts, some with some touring gear and the town has a few options of getting to your own private spots with helicopter transfers!
Whatever takes your interest, if you’re considering heading to Queenstown’s backcountry, there are a few things you should consider. Once you pass the ski field boundary you are in unpatrolled territory and need to take precautions if you’re planning on skiing the untracked powder on offer. Research the area, plan your trip, prepare the correct gear and have the training, Get a lesson and pray for a powder day!
All the EXTRAS
Who knew that one place could offer so much! Snowsports isn’t all that Queestown has to offer in the winter. Fly down the river on the Shotover jet or Kjet. Jump for your life with AJ Hackett Nevis bungy (Free fall for 8.5 seconds, 134m Bungy the highest in New Zealand). Rent some mountain bikes and brave the downhill tracks below the skyline gondola. Whether you’re learning to rock climb or you’re tackling the big guns, Queenstown is a climbers’ paradise and there are courses, guides, equipment hire, and rock faces to suit all abilities. Looking for something more chill? Play a round of golf at one of Queenstown’s 7 spectacular golf courses. Near to three of New Zealand's Great Walks, two national parks and a stunning collection of short walks, day walks, and multi-day hikes, it’s easy to lace up your boots and surround yourself with awe-inspiring scenery in Queenstown. The list goes on, so rest assured that with a little spare cash, you’ll never get bored living here this winter.
The PEOPLE
Who are you going to meet in Queenstown?
Of course I’m writing this article just as we come out of the coronavirus pandemic in New Zealand so things this season are going to be much more local. Ordinarily Queenstown is a hot-spot for backpackers from all over thanks to its abundance of extreme activities to do, and beautiful scenery to take in. Australians love it for its proximity to home, Thai and Singaporeans enjoy the culture change, and of course even though it’s the other side of the world to us, us Brits love NZ for its diverse landscapes and flora and fauna being so different to that which we have back home. Queenstown caters for all kinds of visitors from families to wild parties and romantic getaways. COVID this season has meant there have been many more kiwis visiting and/or living in Queenstown this season, and it has brought a much more local and relaxed vibe. It just goes to show, whatever happens, there is something truly unique and wonderful about being a seasonaire in this bustling town.
Whether you’re coming to work in Queenstown for one of these reasons or one of the thousand others, you definitely won’t regret it.
If you have any Questions about living in Queenstown or life as a ski instructor, please send in your requests, I’d love to hear from you!
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The Ski Nomad
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