Live, Work, and Ski New Zealand

Hey all,

I am looking at getting a temp. work visa for New Zealand next year. My skill set is sought after in NZ (Industrial Engineer). I'm glad to go there and work...but to be honest my primary reason for doing so is to ski! Therefore, it would be nice to work as an engineer, but I'm there for the skiing - a job bartending or serving is A ok.

Where would you suggest I go? It looks as if Christchurch is centrally located and has easy access to many mountains on South Island and the job market is solid. On the other hand, Queenstown has a decent job market and is located VERY close to the slopes AKA making it easier to get a few hours in every day.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

not much going on in Christchurch after the quake. and though the club fields are great, its a 2+ hour drive.

my choice for skiing alone would be Wanaka, if you can find the work.

Wanaka and, to a lesser extent, Queenstown win for skiing. Queenstown is larger and will probably offer more employment opportunities.

Apart from the issues already pointed out about Christchurch, there is the additional one that finding accommodation is nigh on impossible at the moment. I have family there who are due to be kicked out of their red zoned house and they still have not found somewhere to move to.

It may be tedious but look up all the ski spots you can find. Email them ahead of time. They tend to have waiting lists for employment. But they do come up and they keep you on for pretty long so this is quite a good plan in my opinion. It worked out well for the travellers I met doing this, I wish I had known earlier. But now you do so go for it. Bartending and waitstaff is also an option but they are far more casual with them, esp waitstaff. Work in the ski resorts if u can, see what they have open.

In some cases you have to be annoying and remind them you are interested. Tell them when you will be there etc.