Tell me about Queenstown
As adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown is one our most popular destinations for instructor courses.
Queenstown is a bustling resort town that offers everything you could possibly need for a great winter season, from impressive resort areas, fun bars, restaurants and cafes to awesome accommodation overlooking the magnificent Lake Wakatipu.
Queenstown is home to two world-class ski fields. The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.
Ned Brannigan
Queenstown Resort Facts
Choose to ski at either Coronet Peak, The Remarkable, Cardrona or Treble Cone.! When you join an instructor course with EA you will train and work at either Coronet Peak or The Remarkables ski resorts.
The Remarkables ski resort offers steep terrain and more than 357 meters of elevation.
Winterfest, the Big Air Competition and drag running races in the middle of the streets. Queenstown is a popular destination for international artists, music festivals and local festivities.
Jump on the staff supplied bus and in only 20 minutes from the center of town you can be carving up those first tracks while you watch the sun rise over the Remarkables or Coronet Peak.
EA Ski & Snowboard can offer intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders the chance to train and qualify for their level 1, 2 and 3 qualifications. If you are a qualified ski instructor and looking to take your career to the next level, check out our Level 3 Internship Program option.
How to become a Ski or Snowboard Instructor Queenstown
EA Ski & Snowboard offer three different ski or snowboard instructor courses in Queenstown. Check out what's on offer below:
SKI OR SNOWBOARD INTERNSHIP PLUS
INTERNSHIP PLUS INCLUSIONS:
- Accommodation is included until after the level 1 exam
- Guaranteed job offer
- Full season employee lift pass
- Level one training
- Level one exam costs
- Level two training
- Internationally recognised qualification
- Association membership
- Transport to resort for training if applicable
- EA Program Manager at your resort
- Preseason preparation webinars
- Future job opportunities with our network of 27+ resort partners around the globe
- First aid certificate
- Advanced technical and theory training
- On-snow analysis
- Avalanche safety course
- Park and/or freeride training
STARTING AT
$10,975 USD
SKI LEVEL 2
COURSE INCLUSIONS:
- Internationally recognised qualification
- Accommodation for the first three weeks on arrival
- Guaranteed job offer
- Employee season pass
- Level 2 training*
- Level 2 exam costs
- Association membership
- Mountain transfers
- Future job opportunities with our network of 27+ resort partners around the globe
- EA Program Manager at your resort
- Pre Season preparation webinars
- Advanced technical and theory training
- On-snow analysis
*must have level 1 qualification
PRICE
$8,975 USD
TRAINING COURSE
TRAINING COURSE INCLUSIONS:
- Internationally recognised qualification
- Accommodation for course duration
- Lift pass
- Level 1 training
- Level 1 exam costs
- Association membership
- Mountain transfers
- Program managers at each location
- Pre season preparation webinars
- Longer course options also include:
- Level 2 training*
STARTING AT
$6,475 USD
Living and working in Queenstown
Queenstown is the ultimate destination for a winter gap year. Many people travel here for a week or two and wind up staying for years. Queenstown is a welcoming, friendly place that you can't help falling in love with. Everything is within walking distance in town and there is an abundance of public walkways, cycle-ways and tracks to explore. The town buzzes in the daytime with tourists and goes off at night with a huge number of bars and music venues. To rest your weary legs, sit by an open fire and recap the powder days.
Ski & Snowboard's Instructor Internship Program
When you join EA & Ski & Snowboard on an instructor course in Queenstown, you will spend your first few weeks training at Coronet Peak. Once you have passed your Level 1 you will work at either The Remarkables or Coronet Peak during the school holiday period provided you show professional qualities during the training program and complete the NZSki hiring process. Your season pass will give you full access to both mountains in Queenstown. The Internship Program offered in Queenstown includes Level 1 and Level 2 training. Level 2 exam costs are not included in this program option as you will need to pass your Level 1 exam to be eligible for a Level 2 exam The Level 2 NZSIA exam is challenging, but our instructor courses are designed to help you succeed.
Ski & Snowboard's Instructor Training Course
EA have both ski and snowboard training courses available in Queenstown. Our training courses are based at Coronet Peak, but you will also have access to The Remarkables ski field, which you can enjoy on your days off. On a 5-week training course, you will train towards your Level 1 with additional level 2 training for the 2020 season. On a 10-week course, you will also receive Level 2 training, first aid training and avalanche safety training.
What about accommodation?
Ski & Snowboard Instructor Internship
Accommodation will be provided for the length of the Level 1 training and exam period at Aspen Lodge. Rooms are 3-6 share in a homely environment right in central Queenstown. The communal living and kitchen areas offer a great space with a friendly atmosphere to relax in, and the location is unbeatable. Finding seasonal accommodation in Queenstown is extremely difficult, and with Aspen Lodge, you will have an enjoyable, sociable experience in the heart of town, with the flexibility to continue your stay at the end of the training/exam period for the remainder of the program and beyond. The perfect flexible option for your season in Queenstown.
Ski & Snowboard Instructor Training Course
Accommodation is also provided at the Aspen Lodge, for the length of your chosen program.
Facilities at Aspen Lodge include:
- BBQ area
- Log fire
- Free off-street parking
- Free luggage storage
- Ski and Snowboard storage/drying room
- Beds made up in all rooms and towels provided on request.
- Laundry facilities
- Friendliest staff in town!
Certification Overview
Obtain a globally recognised qualification with the NZSIA
(New Zealand Ski Instructors Alliance) or SBINZ ( Snowboard Instruction New Zealand). The NZSIA and the SBINZ are a well-established, educational body that is internationally renowned for producing professional, knowledgeable instructors, with the capabilities to teach and ride at very high standards. They are both internationally recognised as a well-established, professional provider and has a reputation for high-quality and knowledge. 
This means that NZSIA and SBINZ instructors are able to competently perform and teach on snow in many countries and conditions. This qualification can truly take you anywhere.
Check out what our alumni had to say
REVIEWS FROM EA ALUMNI
With the internship, it secured me a job and I think that was pretty crucial. I don't know if I'd have been able to go to the places I've been without that opportunity. Read more
My favourite part of the training was improving my skiing and meeting a lot of people from all over the world, Just go for it guys it's so fun! ...see more
Getting this experience is such an invaluable experience, not a lot of people get this opportunity when you pass your level one you can really take it anywhere! ...see more
I Don't have a favourite memory because the memories have been like weekly if not daily you get so close to your course mates and enjoy some good nights on the town! ...see more
My favourite memory, I have a lot of memories just hanging out with all the people here, EA has done a great job of collecting a group of like-minded people who just want to ski and have fun! ...see more
I choose to do the program in New Zealand because I have never been here before, its one of those places they call a once and a lifetime opportunity ...see more
WHERE CAN YOU GO IN NEW ZEALAND?
Click the resort names or dots to learn more about each resort
Queenstown is known as New Zealand's adventure capital and has a global reputation as the place to experience the best of New Zealand’s outdoors.
Winner of New Zealand's Best Ski Resort three years in a row, Mt Hutt offers an authentic Kiwi experience and has fantastic terrain to suit everyone.
Located in the North Island of New Zealand, Mt Ruapehu is a live volcano home to two world-class ski resorts offering majestic views, ample snow, and some of NZ's best ski and snowboard terrain.
