Why did you choose this job?
More riding time! And I love driving.
Is it your first season?
This is my first season with the transport department, second with NZSki (I was a liftie first time round). I came back because of the amazing friends I made and the awesome riding.
Where are you from?
Horahora, Waikato.
What kind of education did you have before this?
I have a degree in sport and exercise science, and was a personal trainer for nearly five years.
How would you describe your job?
My job involves taking passengers up and down the skifields, both Coronet Peak and the Remarkables, then of course cleaning the bus at the end of the day ready for another day driving.
What's the best thing about it?
Meeting new people every day and working with an awesome group of people.
What challenges come with it?
The main challenge is when the weather conditions deteriorate and people get frustrated as it takes longer to get up the hill, so trying to keep them excited after a long wait in the queue is definitely harder.
What skills or qualities are required?
The skills you need are to have your class 2 and passenger endorsement to be able to drive a bus with passengers on board, but as well as that the most important quality is that you need to be an outgoing positive person and enjoy working with hundreds of new people every day so they feel they are getting a good service.
Who would it appeal to?
Anyone. The guys - and three other girls - I work with are all from very different backgrounds. We have accountants, farmers - we've even had pilots before!
How are you settling in to life in Queenstown?
I love living in Queenstown. There's never a day that goes by that there isn't something you can get out and do, no matter what the weather is.
What is your best advice to people who move to Queenstown for seasonal work?
Make sure you get here early so you can find a flat and get a job before they all go.
What has been your most amusing, interesting or surprising on-the-job experience so far this season?
Surprising? Getting a black eye from being hit with a ski pole while unloading the bus. Amusing? Having the men get off the bus and go "You know I saw there was a sheila driving and got a bit worried, but you know love, you're a really good driver!"
