Welcome to Employment Information for All Applicants
Why work at Cardrona?With 345 hectares of skiable terrain there is something for everyone at Cardrona. We have wide open basins, with both groomed and ungroomed terrain, and world class freestyle facilities including an Olympic sized halfpipe. There are chutes and cliff drops for those that desire the challenge. Cardrona has 5 cafes & restaurants, accommodation for up to 110 guests a night, an impressive rental fleet, a huge ski and snowboard school, a high performance and instructor training centre along with 4 great kids centres catering to all ages. We receive thousands of visits a year from locals and overseas clients. It’s a very exciting place work where every day is different from the last. Who are we looking for?We have developed a set of values that highlight the way we like to operate and who we choose to surround ourselves with. Our values are: Love it, live it, deliver it - We are passionate about the snow industry. We are searching for people who are approachable, friendly and willing to go the extra mile to help our guests and other employees have the best experience possible. At Cardrona we foster ambitions of achievement; in the workplace for our employees and on the snow for our guests. We are all in this together – Guests, employees, owners and suppliers. We’re an extended family who values all our working relationships. We treat each other with respect, equity, good manners and honesty. Keeping it real – at Cardrona our aim is to be honest with our guests and each other. We surround ourselves with people who are ready to lead by example. Fun is good – We all love to have fun! We are looking for people who enjoy being in a workplace that promotes a fair balance of work and PLAY!! If you feel these are qualities you posses and a work environment with values that appeal to you then... you’re who we are after. Benefits for employees
When and how can I apply?For specific dates, positions and application forms please go to Snowsports Centre Employment or Mountain Employment. How long would I have a job for?Cardrona’s scheduled opening date for the 2012 winter season is Friday June 22nd. Most staff start paid work on Monday 18th of June and generally finish on closing day, 7th October. Some staff start earlier or finish later than these dates as extra prep or cleaning is necessary. You will generally work 5 days a week; about 7 - 8 hours a day. Hours or shifts may be altered due to customer demand during our busy and quiet times. Overseas ApplicantsYou must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand. You will need to supply proof of your eligibility or a valid work visa. Cardrona does not apply for work permits for mountain positions. There are some exceptions. We do apply for visas for more specialized roles i.e. some Ski and Snowboard Instructors, Patrol, Doctors, Groomer Operators and Trades People. To find out if you are eligible to apply for a working holiday visa go to Immigration New Zealand. Should I apply if my work visa is not valid through until the end of the season?Yes, we will consider applicants that have a valid work visa that ends part way through the season. This is up to the discretion of the department supervisor to which you are applying. Can I apply early?No, we will only accept applications that come via the online application process within the time allowed. Please see either Snowsports Centre Employment or Mountain Employment for specific dates. How many positions do we have available?A very tricky question! We love our returning staff, they are a big asset to Cardrona! However it is difficult to know exactly how many return staff we will have every year. On average there is a 40% return rate within the general mountain positions and about a 75% return rate with instructors. Over a season we hire more than 450 staff! Our staffing needs vary throughout the season. Below are roughly how many people per department.
Why can I not find the position I wish to apply for?If you cannot see the position as an option on the application form then no vacancies exist within this department. This may mean we have a high number of returners within that department. Can I train to be a ski and snowboard instructor whilst working at Cardrona?Yes, we have a part time instructor course. Training takes place on the weekend. You will need to discuss your schedule with your supervisor. Most supervisors will be very happy to help you achieve your goal of becoming a Cardrona Instructor. Police VettingIt is New Zealand law that states all people working with children must be vetted by the New Zealand Police. If you work in a department that involves children the supervisor will send you a form to fill out. How do I get to and from work?In New Zealand most mountain employees do not live at the ski resort. Instead they travel daily up the mountain to the resort. At Cardrona we provide free transport from Wanaka to get you to work and back on days that you are rostered on. The trip up takes about 35 minutes each way and allows for stunning views down to the valley below. We have vans leaving from different pick up points around Wanaka, Albert Town and Hawea. It’s a bit tricky getting everybody home again so we encourage staff to find accommodation in Wanaka as most of Wanaka is easily accessible on foot. Living in Hawea or Albert town is a bit further out so you may want to consider buying a car if living out here. Accommodation
Accommodation can be tight. If you are looking for accommodation here are a few options to try. Some of the local real estate agents run property management sections and are worth a go. The following have some listings on line. How do I get to Wanaka?Information on getting here and away can be found on our main page. IRD numbersAll working people in New Zealand pay tax. To do this they need an IRD (tax) number. An IRD number usually takes up to 10 days to be processed. You must be in the country to do this as you need to apply in person at the appropriate location. You may need to supply a letter of employment to the IRD as a form of identification. If you are offered a position at Cardrona you will receive this after signing a contract. What gear do I need to work on the mountain?It depends which department you work for. Generally outside departments will need thermals, socks, a hat, gloves and boots capable of keeping you warm and dry. You will most certainly need some kind of eye protection. We will supply you with an outer layer that you will be expected to look after and return at the end of the season. Outside departments have a uniform allowance allocated to them as part of their hourly wage. Inside departments may need thermals, sturdy footwear and in some cases a hat. We supply you with a heavily subsidised uniform that you get to keep at the end of the season. It consists of a t-shirt, merino under layer, pants and a soft shell. A subsidised combination of uniform will cost you from $100 - $150 and can be deducted from your wages if necessary. There are lots of options available but everybody is expected to appear clean and tidy and wear a name badge. We do have a range of goggles, helmets, thermals and socks available to staff at very good rates. Let’s not forget that you’ll be needing boots, skis and or a board. If you have it your own gear; Great!! If you don’t have your own we may be able to help you with a seasonal rental or sometimes we have ex rental gear at great prices for staff. If you’re an outside staff member without their own gear and need it to get around the mountain as part of your job then you will have first option of hiring or purchasing ex rental gear. What am I paid and how often?First year mountain wages are aligned with New Zealand Department of Labour legislation. If you have a position with more responsibility you may be paid more. We require you to fill out a fortnightly time sheet for your supervisor to check and give to the payroll department. We pay you once every two weeks, on a Wednesday night. You will need a New Zealand bank account for us to pay you. We cannot pay into foreign accounts or credit cards. Below is a list of banks that have branches in Wanaka that will be only too happy to open an account for you. ACC/InsuranceWe strongly recommend that you come with your own travel insurance specifically covering ski and snowboard related incidents, as ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) does not cover any treatment expenses out of the country. If you injure yourself whilst carrying out your work duties we will cover your initial medical treatment up the mountain with ski patrol. ACC covers a portion of any treatment bills necessary and will also pay a percentage of your lost wages if you are unable to resume your duties straight away. Cardrona has a ‘Return to Work Scheme’ in place and encourages injured employees to return to work when they are ready. If you, because of your injury cannot return to your own department we will find you somewhere on the mountain that will allow you to continue earning while healing. Do I get ride breaks?Every department is different and it will depend on your supervisor but yes, we encourage ride breaks as it’s a great way to blow away the cob webs and stay enthusiastic. Departments that are based on the snow have easier access to ride breaks but indoor departments will also get them, as time allows. I have a random question?If there is a question you have that we have not covered. Please email us. |
