School on a mountain-top challenging

Senior snowsports team leader Tracey Gaughan loves her busy, challenging service job at Coronet...
Senior snowsports team leader Tracey Gaughan loves her busy, challenging service job at Coronet Peak. Photo supplied.
We continue our ongoing series of profiles of seasonal jobs on the skifields. This week Tracey Gaughan, who hails from the British city of West Bromwich, tells Henrietta Kjaer about her job as senior snowsports team leader, which lured her back for a third season at Coronet Peak.

Queenstown Times: What made you choose this job?

Tracey Gaughan: I have worked for NZSki for three seasons and always enjoyed working on snowsports and with the sales team.

QT: What made you come back for more seasons?

TG: I love working on the mountain. It is a great atmosphere and the people we work with and the friends we make during the season make it all worthwhile.

QT: What kind of work did you do before this?

TG: I have worked in the travel, tourism and customer service industry for the past 10 years.

QT: How would you describe your job?

TG: Challenging! I manage the day-to-day running of the ski school desk at Coronet Peak.

QT: What is the best thing about your job?

TG: You never have the same day twice. The guests are always changing. We get to meet some weird and wonderful characters - and hopefully make some people's holiday along the way.

QT: Which challenges come with the job?

TG: It is challenging when we are busy and are sold out. But we always try our best to give the guests the best possible experience.

QT: Which skills or qualities are needed to do your job?

TG: You need to be organised, friendly and approachable.

QT: What is your best advice to people who move to Queenstown for seasonal work?

TG: Remember you are here for a good time, not a long time.

QT: What has been your most amusing or surprising on-the-job experience so far this season?

TG: A guest booked a private lesson for Coronet Peak, and then went to Cardrona. That surprised me.

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement

OUTSTREAM