If you’re looking to apply for a role working at Cardrona in summer or winter, check out our employment Key Dates & FAQs for important application information!
If you’re looking to apply for a role working at Cardrona in summer or winter, check out our employment Key Dates & FAQs for important application information!
Applications for Snow Sports School positions open – January 18, 2021
Applications for Snow Sports School positions close – February 14, 2021
Applications for Specialist Mountain Positions open – From February 1, 2021
Applications for Specialist Mountain Positions close – February 28 2021
Applications for General Mountain positions open – March 1, 2021
Applications for General Mountain positions close – March 21, 2021
ONboard training for General Mountain NEW employees – Early June
Scheduled Opening Day for 2020 winter season, yeeeow! – June 12, 2021
Scheduled Closing Day for 2020 winter season – October 17, 2021
Summer position applications open – Mid September - Early October
Once applications are open, they will appear on the Our Positions page. Search for the role you want to apply for, & apply online. You’ll need to have key documents like your CV ready.
For your application we will require the following:
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 & experience, accommodation needs etc. You will also receive regular emails updating you on pre-season training, visas, accommodation, police vetting etc.
Cardrona is open for approximately 19 weeks through the winter season (June – October) and approximately 16 weeks through the summer season (December – March). Most staff start paid training the week prior to opening day & generally finish at the end of the operational season. Some staff start earlier or finish later than these dates as extra prep or cleaning is necessary. A full time employee will generally work 4-5 days a week; about 7–8hrs a day. Hours or shifts may be altered due to guest demand during our busy & quiet times.
Our ONboard Induction & Training programme will prepare you for a fantastic season & teach you all you need to know about your job & working for Cardrona.
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.
No, we will only accept applications that come via the online application process within the time allowed.
In most circumstances, we prefer to hire people that are available to attend our pre-season training. However, there are situations when additional staffing is required once the season has kicked off. For applicants that cannot start employment until after the season has started, please make it very clear on your application that this is the case (& provide the date you are able to start) & this will be dealt with on a case by case basis by the supervisor of the relevant department.
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.
It is New Zealand law that states all people working with children must be vetted by the New Zealand Police. If you work in the Snow Sports School, HPC, Kids’ Centre or Rentals departments you will be sent a form to fill out with your agreement.
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 & back on days that you are rostered on. The trip up takes about 45mins each way& allows for stunning views down to the valley below.
We have buses leaving from different pick up points around Wanaka, Albert Town & 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 you are planning on living out there.
Most of Wanaka is accessible by foot. It could take up to 30 or 40mins to walk to the outreaches of town.
Accommodation can be tight. If you are looking for accommodation here are a few options to try:
Wanaka Live
Lake Wanaka Accommodation
The Wanaka Sun
The Messenger
Some of the local real estate agents run property management sections & are worth a go. The following have some listings online:
All working people in New Zealand pay tax. To do this they need an IRD (tax) number. You will need this number prior to commencing work in order to be paid. 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 (most likely the Post Office).
You may need to supply a letter of employment to the IRD as a form of identification. If you have been offered a position with us, please request this letter from us.
It depends which department you work for. Summer outside departments will need plenty of layers capable of keeping you warm & dry – alpine conditions can change rapidly & it helps to have a backpack with options for if it's sunny or even snowing! You will most certainly need some kind of eye protection (sunglasses are preferred by most). We will supply you with an outer layer that you will be expected to look after & return at the end of the season. Outside departments have a uniform allowance allocated to them as part of their hourly wage.
Inside departments need sturdy footwear & sun protection. 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, shorts, a choice of hat & a soft shell/hoodie. A subsidised combination of uniform will cost you from $15–$200 & can be deducted from your wages if necessary.
There are lots of options available but everybody is expected to appear clean & tidy & wear a name badge.
Let's not forget that you'll be needing a mountain bike! All staff who ride as part of their job must wear a helmet – highly subsidised helmets are available from the retail shop at the start of the season.
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 & submit a fortnightly time sheet online for your supervisor to check & approve before it is sent to the Payroll department. We pay you once every 2 weeks, on a Wednesday night.
You will need to arrange a New Zealand bank account prior to commencing work in order 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.
We strongly recommend that you come with your own travel insurance specifically covering ski & snowboard related incidents, as ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) does not cover any treatment expenses out of the country. If you injure yourself while carrying out your work duties, we will cover your initial medical treatment up the mountain with Patrol. ACC covers a portion of any treatment bills necessary & 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 & 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.
Every department is different & it will depend on your supervisor but yes, we encourage ride breaks as it's a great way to blow away the cobwebs & stay enthusiastic. Departments that are based out on the mountain have easier access to ride breaks but indoor departments will also get them, as time allows.
If there is a question you have that we have not covered, please email us.
Here's a few answers to a some commonly asked questions to help anyone aspiring to become a ski or snowboard instructor in Cardrona’s Snow Sports School.
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We have a strong set of values that we believe all our team exemplify. Apply for a role with us if you're all about our values too!
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Gain qualifications while you’re working at Cardrona with our ONboard programme!
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0800 440 800 Freephone (within NZ)
1800 754 386 Freephone (within Australia)
Phone: +64 3 443 8880
Email: info@cardrona.com
