Whakapapa

,

New Zealand

Located in the North Island of New Zealand, Whakapapa, Mt Ruapehu is NZ's largest ski area with 550 hectares of lift-accessed & patrolled terrain. You'll discover mellow slopes for first-timers & epic chutes, drops & bumps for the most experienced.
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1359
Skiable Terrain Acres
67
Runs
3.7m
Annual Snowfall
670m
Vertical Drop

Tell me about

Whakapapa

Whakapapa is located on the northern slopes of Mt. Ruapehu. Situated in the beautiful Tongariro National Park it offers some of the best natural ski terrain in New Zealand.

EA Ski & Snowboard interns live in the National Park Village only 92 kilometres away from Lake Taupo or a short train ride Ohakune, home of the famous New Zealand Mardi Gras.

Here you'll find big bowls, loads of cliff drops, and epic powder stashes for the avid powder hunters. The mountain is made up of 67 named runs, 25% are classified advanced, 50% intermediate, 25%. The skiable area is an impressive 550 hectares.

Courses Available At

Whakapapa

Click "See What's Included" button to see inclusions for each course at this resort.

Ski Internship

Ski Internship

Serious about becoming a ski instructor? Train, qualify & work all in one season. Work in Canada, Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand or the USA.

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Pre-Course

  • Guaranteed Paid Job Offer
  • Course Prep & Advice
  • Visa Planning & Support
  • Welcome Pack & Schedule
  • Online login area with live updates and group chat

City Orientation

  • Airport Meet & Greet
  • Hotel Transfer
  • Sightseeing
  • One / Two Nights Accommodation
  • Bank Accounts, Tax Numbers, Sim Cards, etc.
  • Evening Meal, Breakfast & Social Event

Arrival - At Resort

  • Meet & Greet
  • Full Season Program Manager
  • Ski Area Orientation
  • Shared Accommodation
  • Equipment Advice & Deals
  • Social Events

Training - At Resort

  • Level 1 Training
  • Level 1 Exam Fees
  • Training Manuals
  • Association Membership
  • Lift Pass
  • Social Events

Rest Of Season - At Resort

  • Employee Induction
  • Start Work
  • Instructor Uniform
  • Full Season Employee Lift Pass
  • Additional Benefits

Internship Plus Inclusions - At Resort

  • Ongoing Analysis & Development
  • First Aid Course**
  • Level 2 Training
  • Level 2 Exam*
  • Avalanche Course

Note:
* May include additional costs if applicable
** First Aid Course not available at Niseko GoSnow (Japan)

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Snowboard Internship

Snowboard Internship

Designed to fast track your instructor career. Train, qualify and work as a snowboard instructor all in one season. Work in Canada, Japan or New Zealand.

See What's IncludedLearn More

Pre-Course

  • Guaranteed Paid Job Offer
  • Course Prep & Advice
  • Visa Planning & Support
  • Welcome Pack & Schedule
  • Online login area with live updates and group chat

City Orientation

  • Airport Meet & Greet
  • Hotel Transfer
  • Sightseeing
  • One / Two Nights Accommodation
  • Bank Accounts, Tax Numbers, Sim Cards, etc.
  • Evening Meal, Breakfast & Social Event

Arrival - At Resort

  • Meet & Greet
  • Full Season Program Manager
  • Ski Area Orientation
  • Shared Accommodation
  • Equipment Advice & Deals
  • Social Events

Training - At Resort

  • Level 1 Training
  • Level 1 Exam Fees
  • Training Manuals
  • Association Membership
  • Lift Pass
  • Social Events

Rest Of Season - At Resort

  • Employee Induction
  • Start Work
  • Instructor Uniform
  • Full Season Employee Lift Pass
  • Additional Benefits

Internship Plus Inclusions - At Resort

  • Ongoing Analysis & Development
  • First Aid Course**
  • Level 2 Training
  • Level 2 Exam*
  • Avalanche Course

Note:
* May include additional costs if applicable
** First Aid Course not available at Niseko GoSnow (Japan)

Reserve Your Spot

Whakapapa

Overview

Ella just received her level one certification for skiing at Whakapapa. She loves to travel, so becoming a ski instructor was an awesome way for her to see the world. Working and doing something that she loves is the reason Ella did a ski internship. She wants to travel with her qualification with Japan and Canada being on her bucket list. Ella picked EA as they provide you with a lot of support while you are abroad. Its a cool group of people, with a shared passion.

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What it's like working at

Whakapapa

On an EA Ski & Snowboard internship here you will train and work at Whakapapa ski field. Whakapapa is a 25-minute bus trip from your accommodation at National Park Village. The ski season in New Zealand runs from June until October.

The work position at Whakapapa ski field begins after the training and exam portion of the course. This is generally in late June/early July time. The contract runs until October but there is flexibility to leave earlier if needed.

Once you arrive in the National Park Village, you will meet your EA Program Manager who will help you settle into your new home and introduce you to your fellow interns. You will then get straight into an intense training and exam period, which finishes up before the start of the busy school holiday period, when you will begin your employment on one of New Zealand's busiest learning facilities.

There can also be further structured training opportunities available to take you on towards the level 2 standard, and these will be available as part of employee internal training sessions, usually scheduled around busy times for work.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be provided for the first four weeks of your instructor internship program at Pukenui Lodge subject to availability.

You will share a four-bed dorm room with your fellow EA interns. Pukenui Lodge itself is centrally located and the manager is the "ex-fastest skier in the whole of NZ," so he's bound to have a few tips for you. In National Park Village there is an excellent climbing wall, small gym, shop (mini-mart style with the majority of things you need to get by), alongside one main bar/restaurant and a number of ski lodges. As Mt. Ruapehu is located within the Tongariro National Park, National Park Village itself is not large, being fairly remote in the central North Island, but there is a very tight-knit community there that will make you feel very welcome. Mt. Ruapehu regularly put on staff buses to enable local staff to go to the larger towns of Taupo and Taumarunui for day trips and visits to the large supermarkets there (Taupo is a great town to explore with a lot of fun activities).

Accommodation facilities:

  • Waxing and tuning set up and drying room.
  • Large common lounge complete with table tennis table
  • Communal kitchen
  • Views of Mordor
  • Linen-included


There is flexibility to continue your stay at the end of the training period for the remainder of the program and beyond. Rates and locations may vary from time to time, and if they do we will endeavour to let you know at the earliest opportunity.

*The above is an indicative based on last season and is subject to change based on availability and updates to pricing

Program Manager

EA Ski & Snowboard want you to have the best season possible at Mt. Ruapehu. This means that we have someone on the ground, who is easily contacted and there to offer advice and support at all times. Not only are they familiar with Whakapapa and Tūroa, but they also work for the ski school and will be a familiar face to make your gap year and first winter season that much easier.

Certification Overview

Our Ski and Snowboard Internship at Whakapapa, Mt. Ruapehu allows you to obtain a globally recognised qualification with the NZSIA (New Zealand Ski Instructors Alliance).

The NZSIA has a long-standing history and has been training and qualifying ski instructors in its system since 1971. It is internationally recognised as a well-established, professional provider and has a reputation for high-quality and knowledge. This means that NZSIA instructors are able to competently perform and teach on snow in many cultures and conditions. This qualification can truly take you anywhere.

Whakapapa

Reviews

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Where else can you go in

New Zealand

?

Explore through the map links below or by clicking the resort logos.
Offering spectacular scenery, fresh powder and uncrowded slopes, New Zealand is a true winter wonderland. Become a ski or snowboard instructor in Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt or Mt Ruapehu.
Queenstown
Mt Hutt
Tūroa