Why did you choose this job?
I didn't really know what to expect when I applied to work in ski-area maintenance. All I knew was that I wanted to be in Queenstown and love being in the mountains. Using my special powers of fixing things is a bonus.
Is it your first season?
This is my fifth winter season on the job with NZSki and the Remarkables Ski Area. The reason I come back, is that I never leave. I am privileged to have a fulltime contract so you'll find me up here year round, summer, spring, winter, and autumn. It's wonderful to get to see the mountain change from season to season throughout the year.
Where are you from?
From Mellor Brook originally, which is near Blackburn, Lancashire, in England. But I have been in New Zealand now for five years, and now I'm a New Zealand resident, so there's no getting rid of me!
What kind of job did you do before this?
I spent five years serving as an auto electrical apprentice with Pete Smith as my mentor at the Lucas Auto electrical and diesel injection specialist service centre in Blackburn. Then went on to be the diagnostic technician for a Nissan dealership. Also I have been a climbing guide with Climbing Queenstown (the rungway).
How would you describe your job?
In one word - awesome! In two words - really awesome!
What's the best thing about it?
Variety and challenge. You never know what the day is going to throw your way. And in five seasons not one day has been the same. You could be helping guests travel safely up the access road one minute and the next you're hanging off a lift tower changing a sheave wheel. Having the freedom and scope of making things happen, to overcome problems to keep the mountain running provides a daily challenge. That keeps interest and motivation high. You're always learning new things and the view is not too bad, either!
Which challenges come with it?
Every day is filled with challenges. Some challenges we can do things about and then we can work to fix them. Others we can't, such as the weather. Then you just have to grin your way through it, and wait for your face to defrost before looking sane and being able to speak again. Challenges are what make this job special.
What skills or qualities do you need?
Patience, keeping a clear head in a stressful situation, and a love for the out of the ordinary. It also helps if you're good at making things work.
Who would your job appeal to?
Anyone who loves to be in the mountains and thrives from overcoming obstacles.
How are you settling in to life in Queenstown?
Great. Queenstown feels like home. There's so much to do here and once you have been around for a while, there's a really sense of community sprit. I get to be a firefighter with the volunteer fire brigade, go biking and climbing, skiing, mountaineering and generally adventures outdoors stuff.
I even get to be part of Queenstown's performing arts scene (we're taking London Calling on tour in November. Keep a lookout for it!), plus I get to meet some amazing people while doing all that. What more could you ask for?
What's your best advice to people who move to Queenstown for seasonal work?
Make the most of it! Work hard and play hard. It will be one of the best, if not the best, place you'll ever live. Don't write off making Queenstown your home. If you're passionate about Queenstown then the opportunities here are endless - you just have to go out there and make it happen!
What has been your most interesting on-the-job experience so far this season?
There have been so many, but the first one that springs to mind was on a closed day about 7am. It was blowing hard and snowing heavily and very dark. I was trying to unhook a chair on our Alta Chair lift. It had been blown to a point where it had been caught up in the unload portal; a big gust of wind came through and blew me off my feet and across the snow for a reasonable distance; first time I had experienced wind that strong. A very interesting experience.
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