Ski Instructor and Trainer, Coronet Peak.
Having just completed a Mechanical Engineering Degree in 2002 James decided to travel to Queenstown to sit his NZSIA ski instructing qualifications before taking up a position as an Engineer. It was a fateful decision; he turned down a well-paid career sitting at a desk and chose a not-so-well-paid job ‘living the dream’ as a Ski Instructor. It’s a decision he has never regretted.
He now works back-to-back winters teaching skiing full-time. He continues to return to Queenstown for half the year and spends the other half in Aspen, USA. In the past he has worked in Keystone, Colorado, Davos in Switzerland and Park City in Utah. In 2007 he passed his Trainers Certification and made his debut as an Alpine Examiner in 2008.
He loves his position with the NZSIA and describes working for the Alliance as an examiner as being “challenging and enjoyable”. It invariably provides opportunities to learn new and meet great people, “plus the banter with other examiners and candidates is always fantastic!”
James’ gallery
