Snow Sports School

A small number of Accredited Employer Work Visas are available each year to qualified and experienced overseas staff. If you are an international applicant and unable to obtain a working holiday visa, you should apply for the Visa role on our website.  

The minimum requirements for new staff are: 

• NZSIA/SBINZ Level 3 qualification or international equivalent 

• 5 full time seasons instructing experience 

Having your own working holiday visa before you apply is an advantage. It also means you can work for other employers as well as Cardrona if you choose to do so. Visit the Immigration New Zealand website for information on all visas.

All new staff are required to complete our Cardrona ONboard Induction Training and returning staff our Reboard training. 

Instructors work an average of 4 or 5 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week, depending on business levels. Like every ski resort, our business is affected by snow conditions and weather. Subsequently, adjustments to your working week will be made accordingly. For more details on the different types of products that you will be involved in teaching please check out our Lessons page.

There will be some compulsory on-snow training sessions within the first week of opening. Throughout the season we have an extensive training program for instructors. Both developmental and professional sessions are held throughout, to allow our instructors to continue to further their skills and/or qualifications.

Once you are offered a position, we can assist in helping you find accommodation if you require it. We work directly with some of the local letting agents. Our priority is new-hire instructors who are not from New Zealand. You will be placed with other instructors of (when possible) similar ages and interests in houses in Wanaka. We act as the go-between to introduce you to the letting agent at the start and then you will sign an agreement with the letting agent. You will be required to pay a deposit before your arrival to secure your position.

Once applications are open, they will appear on the Our Positions page. Search for the role you want to apply for and apply online. You’ll need to have key documents like your CV ready. For your application we will require the following: 

• We will need you to fill out all the compulsory information on the online form 

• Write us a cover letter in the space provided. (Remember we want to be dazzled. This is your chance to capture our attention) 

• We will need contact details for two relevant employers that we may contact for the purpose of your application 

• We need a job-specific CV to be attached. Make sure it details your work history. If you have any relevant references you can add them also 

For your application, we will require the following:

• We will need you to fill out all the compulsory information on the online form

• Write us a cover letter in the space provided. (Remember we want to be dazzled. This is your chance to capture our attention)

• We will need contact details for 2 relevant references that we will contact for your application. We are unable to move forward with any application where we cannot reach two references. 

• We need a job-specific CV to be attached. Make sure it details your work history. If you have any relevant references, you can add them also

Please only apply once. Only applications received via our online form will be accepted.

• When we receive your application, we will send you an email confirmation.

• Within 2 weeks of the recruitment period closing we will be in contact with you regarding the status of your application. At this time those people who have been successful with the initial application will be asked to schedule an interview.

• Employment agreements and other documentation will be sent before the start date of employment for you to look over and seek advice on. 

If you are offered a position we will require an answer within a week of the offer. You will then be required to provide some more information regarding visa requirements, proof of qualifications and experience, accommodation needs etc. You will also receive regular emails updating you on pre-season training, visas, accommodation, police vetting etc.