Students can qualify as ski or snowboard instructors well before the European and North American ski seasons start – potentially securing work within ski schools with their new NZSIA (New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance) Level 2 qualification.
The course takes place in Turoa Ski Field on Mt Ruhapehu, a vast, active volcano located right in the centre of New Zealand’s North Island and home to the country’s highest ski lift and Australasia’s biggest vertical ski descent.
Between July and September it’s a major snowsports destination in the Southern Hemisphere and just over a four hour’s drive from Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.
Although Mt Ruhapehu is an active volcano, it last erupted in 2007 – and there are many safety measures in place to ensure skiers are kept well out of the way when it does go up in smoke. The chances are, it won’t, leaving anyone spending the winter on this mountain the opportunity to discover its large area suited to all levels of skier.
Famously, the opening sequence of BBC’s Ski Sunday is filmed here, with presenters Graham Bell and Ed Leigh showing off some of the expert terrain that Turoa has available. The area has 40 named ski runs, huge snow filled basins, steep chutes and an excellent snow record that runs right through into October.
The local town of Ohakune, where the course accommodation is situated, offers plenty of after skiing entertainment at the foot of mountain – the whole area is located within the beautiful Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s first and certainly one of the most spectacular.
Canadian Snowboard Instructor, Andrew Manual, lives in the area during the NZ winter and says, ‘I spent a lot of time before deciding where I wanted to base myself in New Zealand so that I could make the most out of the seasons I spend down there, and Mt Ruapehu is where I found! It's got the most awesome terrain, the longest season, a great ski and snowboard school, and awesome night life!’
Linley Lewis, Director of Basecamp added. ‘We’re really excited to launch this new course in the North Island of New Zealand which provides fantastic value for money in comparison to other locations. We are also pleased to offer guaranteed job interviews with our partners in Lake Louise, Canada and Lake Turoa Ski School too, once the level two qualification has been reached. The fact we've nearly sold out both the ski and snowboard is a testament that the course is offering exactly what people want!’
Accommodation is based in a lodge right in the centre of Ohakune with first class living, sleeping and eating facilities.
