“Join us on this life journey and live the experience.”
- Dean Hunter

How much will it cost me to live in Wanaka?

Based on previous seasons we would expect you to need approx. NZ$400 minimum a week to cover meals and some entertainment.

What’s not included in my course?

Flights to and from Queenstown or Christchurch
Meals 
Ski equipment 

Accomodation, transport and lift passes are not included in our training and exam package, but only in our complete package. Click here to learn more!

Do I need insurance?

Definitely, it is mandatory that everyone participating in our program has full medical and travel insurance.

How old is everyone on the course?

The range of ages we traditionally get on our courses is 18 through to 50, on average:

30% are between 18 and 25
40% are between 26 and 50
30% are between 40 and up 

Where does everyone come from?

We get a very diverse range of nationalities on our program, the 40% come from Britain, Ireland, Europe, Australia, North America and the other 40% through Asia, we also have 10% of clients from Eastern Europe, South Africa, Israel, South America to name a few.

Do Rookies get discounts in Wanaka?

Yes. Being part of our Rookies family there are opportunities for discounts on the mountains in selected sports shops, shops, gyms, bars.

Can I work while doing the course?

Yes, every year we have clients on the course that will work a part time job with a New Zealand Working visa to help cover some of their living costs, though we do advise if you can only get one visa to NZ, to save it for the opportunity to work as an instructor the following year.

How far are the mountains from Wanaka?

Treble Cone is about a 35min drive, Cardrona is about 45min drive.

What is the best course for me?

This is best answered over a phone call. To develop the best course for you to reach your goal, we need to weight up you needs and wants with your skiing or riding experience. Please email us a contact number and we will call you.

Training

How good do I have to be to join the level 1 and 2 instructor courses?

If you can ski to an intermediate level on blue runs, you’re at the minimum standard to join our instructor course.

What skis should I bring?

We very much recommend shape ski to get the most out of our training, click here for more information.

What are my chances of passing?

We have been training people for instructor exams since 1992, since that time we have averaged on a 90%+ pass rate through the Level 1 and Level 2 exams.

Who will my trainer be?

You will be training by a selection of Rookies Trainers. The trainers will change weekly to keep you on your toes and to maximise your improvement. Check out the Trainers profiles here.

There will be a lead Trainer for your instructor training courses from your chosen qualification.

How fit/ strong do i need to be?

It’s advised at a minimum; light training with core and range of movement work. The more you can “Arrive Ready” the more you can get out of the Rookies training from day one. If you’d like to know more, click here. 

Can we change groups during the week?

The simple answer is no but there are circumstances where we will do this - through trainers’ advice and conflict within trainees. Our goal is to have you in the best learning environment. The final decision will be with the lead trainer and Rookies Director.

Can we go heli-skiing/riding?

That’s a big Yes. We can organise groups and get great discounts with the heli-skiing companies. You will enjoy it the most after you have done 2 to 4 weeks of Rookies training.

The Mountain – Treble Cone (T.C)

Rated the best advance terrain and Off-Piste Mountain in the southern hemisphere, this is where you train to be a great skier… “Learn to ski all over Treble Cone and you can ski any resort in the world”

I hear T.C is steep and too difficult?

In our view, no. It comes down to having solid ski or ride fundamentals. Our Rookies fundamentals set you up to be successful in this terrain and become a great skier or rider. Just give Rookies a week and you will be hooked on T.C and by the end of your course you will be able to ‘ski any resort in the world’.

Am I good enough to ski or ride T.C?

Yes, from day one on T.C our Rookies trainers will guide you and develop your skiing skills, so within the first week you’re comfortably skiing the blue runs and start exploring some of the red runs.

Can I leave snow equipment on the mountain?

Yes, you can rent lockers from T.C for the duration of you course. This makes life much easier at the start and end of the day. 

Is the food expensive on T.C?

With the Rookies discount, buying lunch or that second breakfast isn’t very expensive at all!

Cardrona – New Zealand # 1 Resort (Cardies)

We will certainly be exploring Cardies, brilliant terrain to practice your skills and demo’s. This is a mountain you must ski, with new bowls opening over the next few years. Wow!! www.cardrona.com

When can we ski/ride Cardrona?

There will be days we will train on Cardrona throughout the course and on your days off there will be buses going to Cardies and T.C. (depending on numbers).

Does Cardrona have easier terrain to ski/ride?

Yes, Cardrona and T.C really complement each other. Cardrona has a larger range of green and blue terrain (65%) and 35% of red and black terrain with T.C being the opposite. Cardies is a great place slow everything down and get some ownership of your new skills. The Noodle Bar and Captain’s Pizza place is a must visit for some super yummy food.

Après Ski

Welcome to a winter & summer experience - in Wanaka we don’t live in the snow. Great for off-snow playtime. Wanaka also has great bars, micro-breweries, and restaurants to cover just about everybody’s needs. 

What social time is there after training?

With local knowledge you will be cruising pub/bar happy hours and meals specials throughout the town and on the weekends. We can give you all the info to Wanaka’s best après ski bars!

Is there gyms and other fitness facilities?

Yes, there are several gym options, yoga classes, martial arts, fitness circuits, bike tracks and plenty of opportunities to get involved in local clubs. There is also a recreational centre with a great swimming pool complex.

Are there other activities for those days off?

Yes. There are amazing sightseeing trips, great walking tracks, mountain biking trails for all levels, out & indoor rocking climbing, tennis courts, squash courts, skateboard park, golf club, river & lake fishing. For the keen water sports enthusiast there’s paddle boarding, kayaking and even water skiing to name just a few. Wanaka has it all!

Then there is Queenstown, make a weekend trip. It’s a great chance to get out of Wanaka and let your hair down for a bit - Queenstown is just a 1-hour drive from Wanaka. Check it out here.

Accommodation

How close is my accommodation to the town of Wanaka?

Most of our accommodation is within 15min or closer to the centre of town.

Is food supplied with our accommodation?

No, but all our accommodation comes with cooking facilities and utensils etc.
Come on, you’re 18+ years young… its part of the Rookies adventure of learning new things!

Is there food shops in Wanaka?

Yes, Wanaka has an amazing diversity for a ski town! From super cool food trucks to fine dining, but nothing beats a get together and cooking a group meal or barbie.  

Can I get my own room?

Yes, if you want your own spare and not share a bedroom, it is possible to reserve a room to yourself. These rooms are limited and will come at an additional cost. 

Can my partner come and stay?

Yes, however there are additional costs involved. All room charges are on a per head basis- if your partner does come over for the duration of the course, we will endeavour to accommodate you in a room with an en-suite.  

Transport

Do we get transfers within N.Z?

Yes, only if you fly into Queenstown - we’ll transfer you to and back from Wanaka.

Do I get transport to the mountains every day?

Yes, Rookie Academy is one of the few instructor training companies that offer 7 days a week transport to the mountains for the duration of your course, if you choose a complete package.

What time does the bus leave to Treble Cone?

All transport needs to be leaving Wanaka before 7:30am and leaves from Treble Cone at 4pm sharp.

Is there transport available on our days off the mountains?

There are local Wanaka car rental places that give Rookies good deals. Groups can organise buses for trips to Queenstown or other surrounding areas at an additional cost and minimum #.

Rookies have brought vehicles for the winter season, please ask for our advice on this.

International Alliances and Employment

We offer the biggest range of international exams and best advise into the Snowsport industry.

Are the qualifications recognised internationally?

Yes, all our international qualifications run within Rookie Academy are recognised.
All the alliances and associations we qualify you in are members of the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA) that worldwide have 37 countries and growing. 

Is one countries qualification considered better than the others?

This can be a tricky question as each country considers their qualification to be better than the others…in our opinion we think that all the major ISIA countries offer great educational products to be a ski instructor.

The things to consider when choosing an organisation to get qualified are:

• How easy is for me to further my qualifications in that system?

• How well recognised is the qualification in the country I want to teach in?

We can certainly help will career advice and employment opportunities.

Can I cross credit one country’s certification into another ?

Yes, you can. You can start with an any of our alliance’s level 1. If you want to change to another alliance level 2 or you have a level 2, you can change to working towards another alliance’s level 3.

What are the employment opportunities like for me after the course? 

Excellent, over years we have developed a network of skis schools throughout North America, Asia, Europe and New Zealand that will employ our clients based on our recommendations. 

If I miss out on my exam, can I still get a job?

Yes, with the minimum of a level 1. The job and visa application process need to start around August - before you have sat your level 2 exams, all that is affected is your rate of pay. They are also employing based on our recommendation and that you have been through our Rookie Academy. Remember our courses are job interviews.

Am I guaranteed a job at the end of the course?

No, we do reserve the right not to recommend someone for a position overseas if we feel they will potentially damage a relationship we have with that ski school. This is a rare occurrence through. 

What is the advantage in getting a qualification in the Southern Hemisphere?

Other than spending time in beautiful New Zealand, the main advantage we see in gaining or furthering your qualification while in NZ is that it allows you to start the following Northern winter teaching in your chosen resort and making $, not wasting that time training and going for an exam.