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Best mountain to work at (wanaka or queenstown)

nzjosh
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Posted: 03 Mar 2010 11:03      quote | report

Hey Guys im a New Zealander whos just done a season working as a liftie in Canada, the seasons nearly over so planning to work down south this winter...

Which ski fields have you worked at? or which have you heard are good to work at? (ie. staff transportation, best ride breaks, staff accom would be a bonus etc)

Also a ski field that likes the train staff in other areas would be good, really want to become a cat groomer in the future

thanks for any infomation

 

bigbadbear
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Posted: 03 Mar 2010 21:13      quote | report

nzski has a good training program in place and like to cross train in other departments. They run a course through the season and you can get a qualification at the end of the season. To get to drive a groomer you would need a class 2 licence with a tracks endorsement. You would find the groomer drivers generally happy for yeah to site in with them.
Transport while working - covered
Transport on days off - I think on space availably
Staff accom in QT not too sure on.
Im not too sure about Wanaka sorry, been a while since I was down that way - Hope that helps a bit.

 

Iver the great
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Posted: 03 Mar 2010 22:04      quote | report

yup nzski has won an employment award and has the 3 best skifields by far in NZ. get in early there will be a waiting list

 

cassina
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Posted: 03 Mar 2010 23:42      quote | report

Originally posted by: 03snowman
yup nzski has won an employment award and has the 3 best skifields by far in NZ. get in early there will be a waiting list


The 3 best skifields by far in NZ??? That wasnt what you were saying about them a week or so ago. However you were at the time speaking from the perspective of
a Guest (Punter) and not an employee then if I remember correctly?? Are you now buying a ST due to your change of "Feeling" towards them?

 

Iver the great
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 0:15      quote | report

sarcasm goes right over your head doesnt it cass. what the hell is a ST? why are you trolling me?

 

southernthrash
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 9:15      quote | report

Season Ticket. But by all accounts NZSki are not a bad bunch to work for eh.

 

Iver the great
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 10:18      quote | report

seasons ticket aye. not up with the modern jargon it seems
yeah they are probably great if you dont work in the park at CP or hutt

 

Mr. Splodge
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 10:51      quote | report

NZSki are so "corporate" that they have 3 month performance appraisals for all staff, in a 4 month seasonal contract.

 

Freshie
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 11:25      quote | report

FFS Cass..didnt u see the little winky eye emoticon.

 

cassina
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 13:40      quote | report

Originally posted by: 03snowman
sarcasm goes right over your head doesnt it cass. what the hell is a ST? why are you trolling me?


The guy asked a serious question and expected serious
answers. Just as you dont understand what an ST is I don't understand "Winky Eyes" !!

 

Iver the great
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 13:43      quote | report

merely stating what joe and ianw had said on the other threads. whether i agree or not is irrelevant. an industry award is an industry award.also hutt and cp have longer seasons than alot of hills so more paydays, makes sense to me. now what advice have u given him?

 

oldscool
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 14:06      quote | report

Originally posted by: Mr. Splodge
NZSki are so "corporate" that they have 3 month performance appraisals for all staff, in a 4 month seasonal contract.


Oh dear lord.....

I thought it was bad enough here. That's all the "management" seem to do here is conduct a seemingly never ending series of appraisals.

God knows who's steering the ship.


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Wait For The Ricochet
 

cassina
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 21:13      quote | report

Originally posted by: 03snowman
merely stating what joe and ianw had said on the other threads. whether i agree or not is irrelevant. an industry award is an industry award.also hutt and cp have longer seasons than alot of hills so more paydays, makes sense to me. now what advice have u given him?


But he was after PERSONAL opinion from ex staff or people who knew staff that worked there which I know excludes me and you possibly as well. You have never claimed to work there as far as I know. The fact a large corporation has won an award is no gurantee the feelings of all staff mirror the same feeling. Its a bit like reading a magazine review that says a board handles very well but if you are smart you will seek an online user review as well, as sometimes there can be a difference.

 

bigbadbear
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 21:24      quote | report

nzjosh asked what is the best place to work at. If you read what was written you would see that this person has their future in mind.
Nzski being a larger company would have more opportunity for career advancement into many areas. Not of course saying that other ski areas don’t have good opportunities. Any company would jump at the chance to employ a person that passionate about their field and willing to put in the hard yards to up-skill. As far as reviews go, most companies have them now. Reviews along with other things are there to highlight training gaps and to offer the up-skilling that maybe needed. They also provide opportunity talk about things that the company can do to improve.
It is about time that the people who write on these forums provide constructive feedback and suggestions. Suggestions that open people’s minds to new ideas and that are financially and environmentally sustainable.
(or of course to shear where the fresh powder remains on a busy day )
Oh my god – it’s a novel , but hay , said my bit.

 

BWMsnow.co.nz
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 21:35      quote | report

Those people I know that work for NZski seem really happy to be there. There may be some unhappy customers, but so far staff I know seem happy as to be part of the Mt Hutt. I would therefore vote that Mt Hutt is a good place to work.


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IanW
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 21:59      quote | report

My suggestion would be to apply and see what comes up for interview in the first instance.
The majority of ski areas provide the same staff perks ie Transport,ski passes and limited accomodation options.
Remeber though there will be a lot of competition for what ever job you apply for even if you have experiance which may give you an edge.

 

Iver the great
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 22:00      quote | report

Originally posted by: cassina
Originally posted by: 03snowman
merely stating what joe and ianw had said on the other threads. whether i agree or not is irrelevant. an industry award is an industry award.also hutt and cp have longer seasons than alot of hills so more paydays, makes sense to me. now what advice have u given him?


But he was after PERSONAL opinion from ex staff or people who knew staff that worked there which I know excludes me and you possibly as well. You have never claimed to work there as far as I know. The fact a large corporation has won an award is no gurantee the feelings of all staff mirror the same feeling. Its a bit like reading a magazine review that says a board handles very well but if you are smart you will seek an online user review as well, as sometimes there can be a difference.
actually cassina he also asked which you have heard are good to work at. epic fail at trolling mate.
how about you admit who u work for big bear?
as for constructive feedback and suggestions, been there done that got shot down by the troll crew. i notice u havnt contributed to my picture thread, says alot about your motives here

 

cassina
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Posted: 04 Mar 2010 22:15      quote | report

Originally posted by: BWMsnow.co.nz
Those people I know that work for NZski seem really happy to be there. There may be some unhappy customers, but so far staff I know seem happy as to be part of the Mt Hutt. I would therefore vote that Mt Hutt is a good place to work.


I have noticed on the odd occastion Dave Wilson helping out with lift que control at Hutt and I think Uli used to help out on the front line at PH years ago too which must make the staff feel good that the boss is not afraid of getting his hands dirty. I think Rob Fife helps out on the fromt line for a few weeks a year at Air NZ too. I did hear a story about a ski industry boss who got a staff member to shift
road cones blocking their car park so not all are happy to get there hands dirty however.

 

bungle4130
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Posted: 06 Mar 2010 9:47      quote | report

i have worked for nz ski in queenstown (have heard good things about hutt) and can honestly say they are the worst company you could wish to work for, all they care about is taking money from tourists and staff can be treated like sh@t due to number of people looking for work in qtown,

 

Iver the great
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Posted: 06 Mar 2010 11:29      quote | report

 

Truckee
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Posted: 06 Mar 2010 15:35      quote | report

Where were you a lifty in Canada NZJosh?

 

nzjosh
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Posted: 06 Mar 2010 16:42      quote | report

Thanks for the info guys alot of mixed feedback! i guess lifties in canada have it easy compared to back home... working at Marmot Basin in Jasper Alberta

 

Brad
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Posted: 06 Mar 2010 19:17      quote | report

Im sure bumping chairs on a powder day has its rewards....... minimum wage.

Seriously wouldn't you be better to buy your own season pass, and work evenings in hospo at least then you could ride every day providing your not sh1tfaced from the night before.


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Shit happens.
 

mrjoe
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Posted: 06 Mar 2010 19:26      quote | report

So what was your decision in the end? ianW has a good point. the ski areas in New Zealand get flooded with applicants and sometimes you have to take what you can get... Big bear also has given you some food for thought. All I can add is if you miss out first time round keep trying during the season, something always comes up...

 

nzjosh
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Posted: 07 Mar 2010 2:57      quote | report

Have applyed for TC, The Remarks, CP, still thinking about hutt (sounds like a better one but dont really want to live in CHCH)

Cadrona's not taking applicants yet... any feedback about them?

will see what happens and also start looking for jobs off the ski field

Thanks

 

BWMsnow.co.nz
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Posted: 07 Mar 2010 14:30      quote | report

if you work Hutt, you live in Methven


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Truckee
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Posted: 07 Mar 2010 14:58      quote | report

Originally posted by: nzjosh
Thanks for the info guys alot of mixed feedback! i guess lifties in canada have it easy compared to back home... working at Marmot Basin in Jasper Alberta


Nah i worked at Whistler Blackcomb as a lifty and it was the worst employer i have ever had.
Did a couple season at Whakapapa which was good and one in Tahoe also good. I should have expected it though because plenty people warned me about working for intrawest.

 

nzjosh
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Posted: 07 Mar 2010 16:42      quote | report

I heard Methvin wasent a good place to live... thats why im trying to avoid hutt

Truckee ive heard bad things about Whistler aswell

 

Mr. Splodge
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Posted: 08 Mar 2010 9:39      quote | report

methven is a perfectly fine place to live. being within day trip range of the canterbury club fields alone means methven trumps QT or wanaka hands down.

of couse you could actually work at a club field, but many people prefer to work at a commercial ski field because the pay and conditions are often better, and there are more people of a similar demographic around.

depends on what you want out of a season/life of course. everyone is different. QT to party with the backpackers, wanaka if you're a park rat and further north if you like the steeps and more choice where to ride each day.

 

Iver the great
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Posted: 08 Mar 2010 9:54      quote | report

TC is hardly a parkrat hill though splodge

 

Mr. Splodge
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Posted: 08 Mar 2010 10:39      quote | report

no but it's hardly craigieburn valley, mt olympus or temple basin either.

 
 

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