Work & Explore Program

YOUR WAY TO SKI, EARN & EXPLORE NEW ZEALAND

WHAT IS A WORK & EXPLORE PROGRAM?

Our five-month Work and Explore program is designed to be the most epic combination of work and travel! During the first portion of your program you will have the opportunity to gain invaluable paid adventure tourism experience, working in Coronet Peak or The Remarkables! We will organize for you to interview with the mountains leadership team, and based on your successful interview they will place you in role most suitable for you! You will get to have an incredible time working and skiing at two of New Zealand's greatest ski fields, gaining fantastic experience along the way and of course... getting paid the whole time! You will even get a season pass!

During the last six weeks of your program you will embark on what we believe is the best outdoor adventure journey in New Zealand. You will have the opportunity to explore some of the South Islands' epic adventure hotspots and also gain valuable outdoor adventure skills. You will not only learn to rock climb and hike, but you will also have time to develop these skills and become proficient in them. If a career in the outdoors interests you then you will have the opportunity to build a logbook of the areas you have visited.

Your journey will take you on a full loop of the South Island. You will venture coast to coast and explore stunning walks, iconic crags, and famous landmarks. Five days will be spent rafting on the Clarence River, camping on the riverbank by night, and journeying downstream by day! There will be time for sightseeing, whale watching and lots of exploring!

By the end of the program, you will have a broad knowledge of many skills associated with outdoor activities and a career in the outdoor industry.

YOU'LL GET PAID WORK EXPERIENCE!

Since the tourism industry is notoriously difficult to get into, this program includes relevant industry experience at one of Queenstown's two iconic ski fields, the Remarkables or Coronet Peak.

WHY QUEENSTOWN?

You’ll love your stay in Queenstown – it’s a great place for skiing, hiking mountains, pub crawls, live music, locals food and drink specials, frisbee golf and fireside chats.

But Queenstown is not only famous for its sheer beauty, but also for the vast amount of activities available for eager adventure travelers! Pretty much every adventurous outdoor activity you can think of is available in Queenstown.

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?

This Work and Explore program is suitable for anyone who wants to embark on a career in the outdoor and tourism industry, or simply wants to take a break from work or school and is looking for a unique experience. This program will have you challenge your own understanding of what it means to take on the wild as you gain skills that you'll use for the rest of your life, improve your skiing, make an awesome group of friends and have the adventure of a lifetime!

Includes

Paid adventure tourism experience with Coronet Peak or The Remarkables with lift pass (pending interview)
Food and accomodation included while on 6-week roadtrip
All technical equipment, program related transport and travel while on your adventure journey
Qualified & experienced technical instructors while on the 6-week adventure
Flexible payment plans available

Prerequisites

English language fluency
Be 18-35 years old at time of commencement
Moderate fitness is recommended.
Have a passion for travel, adventure, & tourism
A desire to accept challenges, a thirst for knowledge, a love of outdoor activities or for our natural environment
Be a social team player that enjoys helping others discover adventure!
Requires a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

Do you want to know more?

We have answered the most frequently asked questions in the FAQ Section. If you still have any other questions, feel free to fill in this form or to schedule a call with one of our program advisors for more information.

Book a call

STRUCTURE

A diverse and exciting program designed to keep everyone interested and busy throughout their stay, balancing plenty of action, learning, working, social and free time.

WEEK 1 - 18: PAID WORK EXPERIENCE WITH CORONET PEAK OR THE REMARKABLES

We have worked hard to bring you PAID work experience at Queenstown's ski field with Coronet Peak or The Remarkables. The work we provide could see you working as a liftie, in customer service, in the rentals shop, in the cafe, etc. This is the first step into your future as part of the adventure tourism industry.
*your position will be dependent on your past experience

WEEK 19 & 20: HIKING, CLIMBING & RAFTING

The first two weeks of your journey will be all about finding your feet on the road, building relationships with your fellow journeyers and getting to grips with the core skills for rock climbing and hiking. You'll take a trip to the see the incredible Mount Cook and take your first hiking steps along the Hooker Valley Track. You'll 'send your first rock climbs, and spend time climbing in Castle Hill.

During week two you will venture further northwards, stopping in the tranquil coastal town of Kaikoura where you will have some time to relax and head out whale watching. You'll then embark on an unforgettable five-day rafting adventure on the Clarence River, spending the nights camping peacefully by the riverbank, and the days journeying many miles, exploring New Zealand's stunning scenery by raft!

Your Program Instructors will spend time teaching you about the breathtaking landscapes, native flora and fauna and make you feel at home in Aotearoa! You'll develop some technical hiking and climbing skills which you will be able to build upon throughout the program. But, most importantly you will be having the trip of a lifetime!

WEEK 21 & 22: THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK

Weeks three and four will take you wandering off the beaten path! You'll spend a day or two relaxing in the picturesque coastal town of Picton where you will have some personal time to explore.

From here you will jump on a ferry over to the peaceful tranquility of our unique property (The Farm) on Queen Charlotte Sound. During your time in this paradise, you'll build on your hiking skills and spend a few days walking and camping on the unforgettable Queen Charlotte Track. You'll take in the stunning scenery of Marlborough Sounds and the gorgeous coastal views. Your Program Instructors will delve a little deeper into the wonderful art of camp cooking and teach you the principles of 'Leave No Trace'.

Heading back to the farm, after some well-deserved relaxation time you'll have the opportunity to spend time working together as a team helping with invaluable conservation work, alongside time for exploring the other beautiful walking tracks and serene inlets that Queen Charlotte Sound has to offer.

WEEK 23 & 24: PUNAKAIKI TO MILFORD SOUND

Weeks five and six will see you heading back to Picton where you will continue your journey along the north coast and then down the east coast, visiting the iconic Farewell Spit along the way. You'll spend lots of time on the rock, building on your foundation skills and climbing in some fantastic locations like Paynes Ford and the rugged sea cliffs in Charleston.

On your way down the west coast you will experience some of New Zealand's unique landmarks and visit the Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki. You'll have some personal time to explore the quaint town of Franz Josef, with plenty of opportunity for you to book a tour of the glacier if you wish. Journeying on you will venture to one of the South Islands' best climbing spots in Wanaka. You will spend a few days honing your technique, with the opportunity to try some lead climbing if your skills allow.

Finishing up your full loop trip of the South Island you'll head back to Queenstown, winding down with a few gentle but beautiful hikes. To top it all off you will journey to the world-famous Milford Sound to take a final day cruise, reminiscing about the memories you have made and no doubt already planning your next adventure!

WHAT'S NEXT?

Enrollment is open, so the next step would be to check current availability here and then apply.