Student Profiles

Ben Anderson Certificate in Ski Patrol Ben was chef for 10 years. “Now I’m employed as a Ski Patroller. I was able to gain the qualifications on the Ski Patrol Programme, as well as learn how to apply them.” He said the best part of the programme was simply the whole course, “Our classroom at Treble Cone was sweet!” And working in the snow is the direction for Ben’s future, “I want to Patrol - lots. Do some back to back winters then maybe explore guiding or similar roles.”

Christan Long Certificate in Ski Patrol “I graduated from Ski School in 2011 and am now heading to the States and Canada to find work as a ski patroller there. The course was really good and gives you very strong background knowledge. It is also a great way to get into the industry. I did my work placement at Porter Heights and it was awesome to learn all this stuff, then go out into the workplace and have it all click. Now I’m heading overseas and through the tutors have lined up in interview with a Canadian Ski Resort. I would definitely recommend the course to anyone who wants to get into the industry but you have to be motivated to get the most out of it.”

David Pope Certificate in Ski Patrol “I came over from South West Victoria in Australia to complete Tai Poutini’s ski patrolling programme. After doing research I discovered it is the only intensive 8 month accredited course offering all facets of ski patrolling in the world.” “I graduated in 2005, then went on to do ski patrolling around North and South America. I am now a senior patroller at Lake Louise ski resort in Canada where I am responsible for training and developing younger trainees. Next on my agenda is to explore options back in South America or Japan.” “The skills I learnt during my time in Wanaka studying the diploma were dynamic and I was able to hit the ground running. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful parts of the world and I loved studying there and would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Emma Walthert Certificate in Ski Patrol “I had worked for a number of years as a ski instructor in New Zealand and Switzerland. When I was in Europe I would see the ski patrollers chopper in when people needed help and thought it looked like a great job. So I came back and did the Ski Patrol programme in 2011. The programme was great and I loved my work experience at Cardrona. I love to help people and on the mountain people really trust and rely on you. I particularly enjoyed the first aid side of being a ski patroller. Over the summer I am glacier guiding at Franz Josef and then I plan to work a ski season in New Zealand. I have job offers in Canada I can take up the following summer season, I’m looking forward to back to back winters.”

Gordon Menzies Certificate in Ski Patrol "Straight after my patrol course, I got a job at Lake Tahoe, California, and went overseas. Then I came back to New Zealand for a season at The Remarkables, and then off to do some patrolling in Canada. I'm having the time of my life at the moment – you forget about summer when you are having so much fun in the winter." "For the first couple of months of the course I was in Wanaka studying avalanche management and first aid training in the classroom. The second part is on-snow training when the mountain is open – we were skiing four days a week and using all those skills.” “The work placement was a good opportunity to test out my skills, and see whether it suited me. It's almost like a four-week job interview because I was working with all the patrollers. If you get on well, and they see that you are capable, they'll offer you a job the next year if they've got an opening – which is what happened to me." “You can walk straight into a job and know a lot more than the other guys who are new to the job overseas. The course gives you a really good knowledge base of what patrolling is and how you are going to go about it, which helps your confidence.”

Jin Ong Certificate in Ski Patrol “I was a qualified osteopath with a passion for the outdoors and skiing so decided to do the ski patrol course as it combines everything I love - first aid, helping people and being in the snow environment. I got everything I wanted to out of the course, I learnt the basics and am keen to develop my skills out in the workforce. I did my work placement at Cardrona. There were plenty of accidents to deal with so I got to put my first aid skills into practice. I loved my time there.”

Luke Hasselman Certificate in Ski Patrol “Since graduating in 2006 I have been ski patrolling and travelling in Colorado and Coronet Peak in Queenstown. Tai Poutini Polytechnic gave me a booster start into skills and knowledge that I use every day up the mountain, including pre-hospital care and avalanche awareness.” “As part of the programme I did work placement for a month at Coronet Peak and landed a job there once I had finished. The slopes are the best offices in the world and my plan is to stay where I am for now, and maybe even travel to India to do some skiing next summer.” “The best part about studying at Tai Poutini is the tutors. Both Russell and Ed are so on to it. They have done everything so they are great to learn off and they teach you what to expect in the industry. I can’t put a price on the skills that I came out with.”

Mark Evans Certificate in Ski Patrol “I want to ski for the rest of my life. Ever since I was about 8 years old I wanted to work in snow and now I’m a glacier guide in Franz Josef – it’s an awesome job! I got my foot in the door at Mt Hutt (my previous job) because of working there on four weeks work experience which is part of the programme. The ski patrol programme was unreal – I especially enjoyed Pre-Hospital Emergency Care and Avalanche Stage 1 modules.”