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.

See What's Included

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

Note:
* Please be aware that the City Orientations are an extra cost for the Internships. There is no City Orientation option available for Queenstown (NZ), Imagine Niseko (Japan), Niseko Village (Japan), Niseko GoSnow (Japan) & Rusutsu (Japan).

Arrival - At Resort

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


Note:

* Accommodation differs from resort to resort, please speak with our team to check on this for your preferred resort. Usually accommodation is covered until the end of the level 1 exam with an option to remain at your own cost for the remainder of the season.

Training - At Resort

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

Rest Of Season - At Resort

  • Employee Induction
  • Start Work
  • Instructor Uniform
  • Resort Employee Season Pass
  • Additional Benefits
>> Reserve Your Spot <<Reserve Your Spot

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 Included

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

Note:
* Please be aware that the City Orientations are an extra cost for the Internships. There is no City Orientation option available for Queenstown (NZ), Imagine Niseko (Japan), Niseko Village (Japan), Niseko GoSnow (Japan) & Rusutsu (Japan).

Arrival - At Resort

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


Note:

* Accommodation differs from resort to resort, please speak with our team to check on this for your preferred resort. Usually accommodation is covered until the end of the level 1 exam with an option to remain at your own cost for the remainder of the season.

Training - At Resort

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

Rest Of Season - At Resort

  • Employee Induction
  • Start Work
  • Instructor Uniform
  • Resort Employee Season Pass
  • Additional Benefits
>> Reserve Your Spot <<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

What it's like training in

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 until the end of Exam 1 of your instructor internship program at Piper's Ski Lodge.

Piper's Lodge is a family owned accommodation located in the heart of Tongariro National Park.

Accommodation facilities:

  • Double bunk bed rooms (2 share rooms)
  • Each room has a heat pump and linen provided
  • Access to common areas: Kitchen, lounge, fireplace, vending machine, drying room
  • Free use of washing machine (bring your own detergent)
  • Dryer is $2/load
  • Onsite bar and restaurant (bar is closed when school groups are visiting)
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Continental breakfast


Option to stay on after passing Level 1 Exams (at your own cost). 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