Rhys Jones (centre, holding his "rock" trophy and pictured with other members of the Coronet Peak snowsports team), is originally from South Wales and has spent seven seasons at Coronet Peak.
"I didn't even know I had been nominated," Mr Jones said after finding out at the award ceremony July 27.
"I love this job and work with great people so it's a real honour for me."
He was nominated by NZSki's general manager of snowsports Cesar Piotto, who said Mr Jones was "an inspiration to his colleagues and a great instructor in snowboarding".
The winner was chosen by the New Zealand Snowboards Instructor Alliance and seven nominations were received from both the North and South Islands.
Six nominees came from Southern Lakes.
The other nominees were: Tom Newman, Coronet Peak; Keiko Hirokawa, The Remarkables; Ryan Thompson, The Remarkables; Damon Murray, Whakapapa; Claire Nash, Cardrona and Bridget Dorward, Cardrona.
The award has been running since 2000.
