Snow Cat Driver - Piste Basher Driver - under Mobile Plant Operator
Ski & Snowboard Technician
Ski Patroller
Milano Cortina Winter Olympics - 2026

Critical Thinking Spot

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

Snowsport Instructors coach snow skiing, snowboarding or other snowsports. Ski instructors either help individuals learn the basic techniques of skiing or help them improve their skills and increase their level of ability.

They also make sure that the mountain is a safe environment for those using it for recreational activity.

Ski instructors are responsible for teaching people of all ages how to ski, or how to improve their skills.

For many young ski instructors, the job is a seasonal one and provides a temporary income whilst studying.

OSCA Codes

OSCA ID: 462441

Specialisations: Skiing Instructor, Snowboarding Instructor,

Alternative names: Snowsports Instructor, Ski school representative, Ski Coach

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Enjoyment of working with people
• Good communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• A love of skiing
• An outgoing nature and enthusiasm
• Fun-loving personality
• Good teaching skills
• Motivation
• Desire to keep improving own skills and techniques
• Patience
• Organisational skills
• A good sense of humour
• The ability to use own initiative whilst following established drills and teaching techniques
• Ability to complete paperwork to deadline
• Ability to provide honest feedback to individuals in a tactful manner
• Good ability with children
• Stamina and desire to work long hours in tough conditions

Snowsports Instructor
(Source: Falls Creek)

Duties and Tasks

• Coaches, trains and instructs sportspersons by analysing performances and developing abilities
• Motivates sportspersons and supervises practice sessions
• Attending meetings at the ski school in the morning to assign instructors to pre-booked lessons scheduled throughout the day
• Ensure that personal equipment is well-maintained and ready for tackling a long day on the slopes
• Meet with individuals and groups prior to the start of a lesson
• Make sure individuals are comfortable with their equipment
• Teach familiarity with the ski lifts
• Teach individuals new skills and techniques to help improve their skiing ability
• Help raise confidence levels
• Answer the questions of individuals taking part in lessons and individuals at the resort as a whole
• Help individuals who have fallen over
• Administer first aid if necessary
• Observe the weather conditions and halting lessons if appropriate
• Make sure every slope user is safe and having as good a time as possible
• Fill out paperwork and assessment forms after lessons have been completed

Working conditions

Ski instructors are lucky enough to work in one of the most beautiful working environments that it is possible to find.

Most of their time is spent on the slopes, although some paperwork must be completed as well.

However, the hours can be long and, after a tiring day on the slopes, individuals may be expected to spend a couple of hours in a learning environment, since continual improvement with regards to the technical side of skiing and teaching skills is expected of all instructors.

Although most ski instructors appreciate working outside, the physical effects of working outdoors in freezing conditions should not be underestimated.

There can be a stressful side to the job as well, since it is seasonal and therefore extremely unpredictable.

You may feel as if you have built up a good reputation in a particular resort but when the work runs out during the summer season, you will have to either find another resort job or move to a different part of the world where winter conditions prevail.

Most ski instructors work for ski schools at various resorts across the world.

There are usually at least a couple of ski schools located in each resort, regardless of its size.

Some ski instructors are self-employed but this is relatively rare because competing with established ski schools is difficult.

Education and training/entrance requirements

A qualification certified by the Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors Inc. is usually needed to work as a Snowsport Instructor.

Did You Know? (Source: OWIA) Valentino Guseli In March 2021 he broke a halfpipe air world record that stood for 11 years, which was held by snowboard legend Shaun White (USA). Valentino flew a never before seen 7.3 metres in the air. Valentino was born in 2005

Australian Ski Patrollers, overseen by the Australian Ski Patrol Association (ASPA), are highly trained first responders responsible for safety, emergency care, and risk management on the slopes. Becoming a patroller requires a combination of advanced skiing/snowboarding proficiency, specialized medical training, and, for many, a volunteer commitment of 2–3 years.

OSCA ID: 462399
   
Alternative names: In Australia, ski patrollers are often referred to by several alternative names or specific role titles, particularly as the profession covers both rescue and emergency medical care.

• Angels of the Mountain: A colloquial term highlighting their role in rescue.

• Mountain Safety/Trail Crew: Sometimes used for staff who handle hazard marking and safety, though they may wear different uniforms than medical patrollers.

• First Aid Providers/Rescuers: Based on their primary function, as they often hold advanced emergency care qualifications.

• Ski Rescue: Historically used, such as in the "Falls Creek Ski Rescue".

• Pro Patroller / Volunteer Patroller: Distinguishes between paid staff (employed by resorts) and volunteers.

(Source: Ski Patrol)

Specialisations

Specific Role Classifications (ASPA): The Australian Ski Patrol Association (ASPA) uses specific classifications based on training and experience:

• Candidate/Trainee: A new member in training.

• Patroller: A member who has completed their training.

• Alpine Patroller / Nordic Patroller: Qualified patrollers who can transport injured guests.

• Senior Patroller: A patroller with advanced emergency management training.

• Ski Patrol Director (Alpine Safety Manager): The leadership role for a patrol team.

Australian Ski Patrol Association's Logo
(Source: ASPA)

10 February - Ski Patroller Day!
Today we celebrate the ski patrollers who brave all conditions to care for injured alpine visitors and keep our mountains safe.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Knowledge

• Advanced First Aid: Deep knowledge of injury management in alpine settings, including spinal immobilization, splinting, pain relief, and oxygen therapy.

• ASPA Protocols: Familiarity with the Australian Ski Patrol Association's standards for care and operations.

• Avalanche Safety: Understanding avalanche risk, mitigation, and rescue techniques (often requiring specialized training).

• Mountain Operations: Knowledge of hazard marking, trail closures, and safe operation of equipment.

• Lift Evacuation: Understanding procedures to evacuate guests from chairlifts or gondolas.

Skills

• High-Level Skiing/Snowboarding: Ability to ski/ride all terrain (black runs, bumps, crud) in any weather condition while maintaining full control.

• Sled Running (Akja): Proficiency in transporting injured guests down the mountain using a rescue toboggan.

• Emergency Medical Care: Proficiency in Advanced Emergency Care (AEC), CPR, and AED usage.

• Communication: Effective communication over radio systems for coordinating rescues.

• Teamwork and Leadership: Ability to work independently within a group structure and collaborate in high-stress situations.

Attributes

• Calm Under Pressure: Ability to make quick, confident decisions in emergency, high-stress situations.

• Physical Fitness and Stamina: High level of physical endurance for lifting, hiking, and skiing with heavy equipment all day.

• Customer Service Oriented: Professional, courteous, and helpful attitude toward resort guests.

• Commitment: Strong dedication to volunteer service, usually requiring weekend work and annual training.

• Initiative: Proactive in identifying potential hazards and ensuring safety on the mountain.
  

(Source: Ski Patrol)

Duties and Tasks

All patrollers need to be able to travel anywhere within their resort in varying conditions, both with and without equipment, and do so safely. The skill level to do this will vary from resort to resort and day to day.

The core role a patroller performs is to save life hence medical skills form one of the skill set that a patroller will use on a day to day basis.

There are many other skills required, some of them can be taught and others are part of the personality, such as the ability to make confident decisions and to work independently within a group structure.

Once accepted, patrols have structured training programs to impart the necessary skills in such diverse topics as ropes, fencing, sled running, hazard marking, avalanche risk minimisation, communications, public relations.

The first aid skills required are taught both in the classroom by ASPA and out on the slopes.

The above process can take as little as 2 weeks or as long as 2 years depending upon the candidate. Most skills are refreshed at regular intervals to maintain currency .

Note that paid patrollers are employed by the resorts, hence are usually but not always trained before they commence their jobs.

Ski Patrol & Rescue Services

Every year people become lost in the mountains and ski areas of the alpine high country. To care for people in the snow, all ski resorts maintain skilled Ski Patrols throughout winter season.

Ski patrollers can easily be identified in all alpine resorts by their distinctive uniform with a cross. They are highly trained to deal with injured skiers and snowboarders, both within the resort and beyond resort boundaries. Patrollers open and close trails and runs, and mark hazards.

The main purposes for operating these Ski Patrol services are to:

• Administer first aid assistance to injured persons on the snow.

• Transfer those requiring further medical attention to resort or other advanced medical care.

• In conjunction with the state police and other emergency services, search for and rescue skiers and snowboarders lost in alpine areas.

• Serve the public with other assistance and skiing or snowboarding information.

• Improve safety standards in alpine resorts, and reduce the accident rate.
  
  

(Source: Falls Creek Ski Patroller - PDF)

Working conditions

Ski patrollers in Australia work in demanding, high-stakes, and rewarding roles, operating in challenging, rapidly changing weather conditions at alpine resorts. They are responsible for safety, risk management, and medical emergencies, working 10+ hour shifts (often 7 am to 5 pm or longer) during the winter season. Paid and volunteer positions require advanced skiing/riding, fitness, and first-aid qualifications.

Key Working Conditions

• Hours and Schedule: Shifts are long, typically 10 hours a day, 4–5 days a week for paid staff, or a minimum commitment of 15–20 days per season for volunteers. Days start early with on-snow hazard marking (e.g., rocks, ice, cliffs) and end with "sweeping" the mountain, which involves checking all runs are empty in potentially whiteout conditions.

• Environment: Extremely physical work, often in severe weather (wind, snow, low visibility). It requires high-level, all-terrain skiing ability in all conditions.

• Role Responsibilities: Hazard reduction, first aid/emergency medical response, evacuation, on-snow safety education, and customer service.

• Compensation and Benefits: While paid, some patrollers report needing second jobs to manage living costs. Benefits typically include a free season pass for the resort.
  Training and Requirements: Must have Australian Ski Patrol Association (ASPA) First Aid certification, advanced skiing/riding skills, and be at least 18 years old.

• Risks: High-risk, isolated environment requiring quick, independent decision-making, particularly when dealing with serious injuries in remote parts of the mountain.

Volunteer Ski Patrolling [Perisher ] requires a commitment of a minimum 15-20 days on-snow during the winter season every year. A patroller needs to be able to go anywhere on the mountain in *full* control under the most challenging conditions. When we recruit, we look for a committed and determined mindset, a collegiate nature, a strong guest focus, and functional athleticism in all conditions.

Mountain safety protocols and first responder skills will be the subject of ongoing on and off the job training. There are rigorous, continuous training programs for both paid and volunteer Ski Patrollers in the areas of:

• Advanced First Aid

• Emergency Protocols

• Mountain Safety Protocols

• Perisher Resort Safety Procedures

All patrollers, including trainees, are given a “Passport” — a living training document that records on the hill and off hill training competencies.

To be a competent, successful trainee, you need to spend as much time as you can on-snow in the first two seasons with a minimum of 10 to 15 days per season. The time from Trainee to Probationary Patroller varies, and on average will take two seasons or about 40 days.

Tools and technologies

Australian Ski Patrollers utilize a mix of advanced medical equipment, alpine rescue gear, and specialized mountain tools to ensure safety,, with training provided by the
Australian Ski Patrol Association (ASPA). Essential tools include specialized splints, spinal immobilization devices, AEDs, and rescue sleds (pulks), alongside backcountry safety gear like beacons, probes, and shovels.

Key Medical and Rescue Tools

• First Aid & Emergency Care: Advanced Emergency Care (AEC) kits, AEDs (Lifeline, HeartSine, Mindray), oxygen therapy equipment, and various splints for fracture management.

• Rescue Equipment: Fjellpulken sleds (pulks) with specialized shafts and harnesses for transporting injured skiers.

• Immobilization: RM KK1 (KED) Extrication Devices for spinal injuries
  

Backcountry and Operational Technology

• Avalanche Safety: Mammut Barryvox S2 beacons, BCA Tracker 4, probes, and specialized patrol shovels.

• Communication & Navigation: Radios, GPS, and mapping tools for coordinate search and rescue.

• Safety Gear: Helmets, crampons, ice axes, and protective clothing.

• Mountain Maintenance: Tools for setting up hazard markers, rope lines, and padding lift towers.

Patrollers often carry personal, versatile tools like multi-tools (e.g., Leatherman) for on-slope repairs of signs or equipment.

Winter Olympics - 2026 A huge shout-out from ASPA to Falls Creek Ski Patroller Phil Bellingham as he lines up for his 4th Olympic Games: Sochi 2014 PyeongChang 2018 Beijing 2022 Milano Cortina 2026 Phil Bellingham is a Cross Country Skier “For Phil, qualifying for a fourth Games is an incredibly special feat. Very few athletes have enjoyed such longevity in the top echelons of their sport, let alone trying to qualify in two different sports. He is a truly inspiring Australian.” Snow Australia’s Bellingham will be just the second Australian and first man to compete in two Winter Olympic sports. Bellingham aspired to be the first athlete to compete for Australia in Ski Mountaineering- the newest Winter Olympic sport - with the 34-year-old acquiring new skills along the way.

Education and training/entrance requirements

High levels of personal commitment, physical fitness and sporting ability may substitute for formal qualifications or years of experience.

Requirements to Become a Patroller

• Minimum Age: 18+ years old.

• Assessment: Successful completion of a ski/board test and an interview.

• First Aid Certificate: Minimum of a Level 2 Workplace First Aid Certificate (or equivalent) for trainees.

• Working with Children Check: Required for many positions.

• Training Commitment: Willingness to undertake the 7-day ASPA Advanced Emergency Care course and on-hill training.

Hotham (Victoria) Ski Patrol
(Source: Mt Hotham)

Ski patrollers are also sometimes linked with, or referred to alongside, Volunteers in Public Service (VIPS) or Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA), particularly in instances where volunteer groups operate in NSW.

Refer to ASPA - Becoming a Patroller
Refer to Thredbo Ski Patrol - Interested in becoming a ski patroller?; or, Being a Trainee

Key Qualifications & Affiliations:

• AEC (Advanced Emergency Care) Provider: Many refer to their qualification rather than just their role.

• ASPA Member: Referring to their affiliation with the Australian Ski Patrol Association.

• FIPS (Fédération Internationale des Patrouilles de Ski): Used in an international context.

Registration or licensing may be required.

Did You Know? A lightweight rescue sled is an Akja A rescue toboggan, also known as a rescue sled or emergency rescue sledge, or by the Finnish word ahkio (also transliterated akia, ackja, akija, and akja), is a carrier for transporting a person or goods on snowy or icy surfaces. It is used by mountain rescue or ski patrol teams to evacuate an injured skier or snowboarder. A rescue toboggan takes the form of a pulk or small sled shaped as an elongated boat-like pan, usually made of aluminium or fiberglass, with vaulted ends, each of which may be attached to forked extending handles. There are many variations and adaptations such as a brake, stability fins, and an integrated or removable litter. A particular variation may be preferred by various regions or individual ski patrollers. (Source: Wikipedia) Victorian Premier's Design Awards - Best in Category - Student Design 2018 Rescue Akja (Source: Victorian Premier's Design Awards)

Employment Opportunities

Australian ski patrollers have strong opportunities to work overseas, particularly in Japan, Canada, and Europe during the Northern Hemisphere winter (November–April), leveraging qualifications and experience gained in Australian resorts. Common pathways include obtaining working holiday visas (WHV) to secure roles in Japan, Canada, and Austria

Employment Opportunities & Requirements

Locations: Key areas include NSW (Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass) and Victoria (Mt Buller, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek).
 
Roles: Positions range from paid professional patrollers to volunteer roles, often managed through individual resort sites.

Key Opportunities and Requirements for Australian Ski Patrollers

• Japan: Highly sought after by Australians, with jobs often available in Gunma and Niseko. Requirements usually include advanced skiing/snowboarding skills, first aid certification, and a valid Working Holiday Visa.

• Canada: Popular destinations include Whistler, Banff, Revelstoke, and Big White. Previous experience in Australian resorts is highly regarded.

• Europe/Austria: Opportunities exist in the Alps. Roles often require strong customer service skills alongside patrolling or instruction experience.

• Visa Requirements: Most countries require Australians to secure a Working Holiday Visa, which allows for temporary work.

• Preparation: Australian patrollers often train in April/May to prepare for local seasons, with many seeking, or having previously worked, two consecutive seasons (e.g., Australian summer followed by Canadian winter)

A ski and snowboard technician is responsible for repairing and servicing sets of skis and snowboards. A ski and snowboard technician can be based either in Australia, or as is more likely, in a repair centre at an overseas ski resort.

The work is seasonal [in the respect that the European ski season runs from November to late April], meaning that those working overseas will normally return to the Australia for the winter [June - October].

The technician will be expected to work on both skis and snowboards, as the basic repair and servicing knowledge is common to both, and there is not normally enough work to specialise in one or the other.

The technician will fix damage to the equipment, mount bindings, complete base waxing and organise general tuning of the customer’s winter sports kit.

At non-busy times, the technician will often be expected to serve on the retail or customer service counters of the ski outlet.

OSCA ID: 399999
  
Alternative names: Ski Tech, Snowboard Tech,
   
Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Ability to improvise repair techniques “on the fly”

• Strong enthusiasm for skiing and/or snowboarding

• Ability to remain away from home for long periods at a time

• Be able to tolerate cold and unpleasant conditions

• Engage in work which can be repetitive at times

(Source: Skimag)

Duties and Tasks

• Service customer’s skis and snowboards (prepare them for their time on the mountain)

• Mount bindings on any new skis purchased

• Base cleaning

• Repair damage to the p-tex base (using p-tex gun/patching/epoxy)

• Sharpening edges (usually on a machine)

• Detuning tips and tails (in the quest for a great “set-up”)

• Waxing base (hot wax, either using an iron or workshop machines)

• Brushing, polishing and preparation

Working conditions

On the surface, a ski technician's job is to service, repair, and tune an athlete's skis. Select the ski, wax the bases, file the edges. At a higher level, World Cup ski techs are responsible for making the fastest skis in the world run even faster. It's a craft that takes an acute knowledge of snow conitions, changing weather, and physics, and often occurs in dimly lit, subterranean rooms that smell like boot liners and cold sweat. If they're not in the ski room, you'll find techs standing in the freezing cold, testing different sidecuts, ski constructions, mounting positions, and ramp angles.

Technical repair centres are often well-equipped and offer fairly comfortable conditions, but overseas, the working conditions can vary greatly.

As space-by-the-square-foot is very expensive in resort, candidates may find they are crammed into tiny workshops which may be dark or poorly heated. The workshops are classed as high-risk working environments due to the need for regular machine use.

Candidates must be fully-versed in the operation of machinery, and maintain a vigilant and responsible attitude to avoid injury to him/herself or others.

Tools and technologies

The most important regular maintenance for all skis and snowboards is hot waxing. Wax is what gives skis and snowboards their glide over snow. You won't go far without it. How often you should wax your skis or snowboard depends on a number of factors, including conditions and usage. As a rule of thumb, we recommend waxing after every 3-5 days of usage. We use a range of hot waxes, from standard hydrocarbon waxes, all the way up to high-end racing waxes.

Hot waxing
(Source: Alp Sport)

Over the course of their life, skis and snowboards will inevitably take some knocks and bumps. After some time, the metal edges on skis and snowboards can become dull and dented. When this happens it's time for an edge grind and sharpening. This involves our technicians using special hand tools to grind and sharpen the metal edges back to their original factory angle.

Sharpening
(Source: Alp Sport)

If your skis or snowboard need some more serious repairs or base work, they go through a Wintersteiger machine. Wintersteigers are computerised tuning machines that perform automated base grinding and edging. The photos below show a ski before going through our Wintersteiger machine (left) and after (right).

(Source: Alp Sport)

Modern ski bindings are packed with technology designed to increase skiier safety. The primary function of a binding is to keep a ski boot attached to the ski during normal skiing, but to release in the case of a fall. It is vital that a binding's safety release settings (DIN settings) are checked and adjusted by a professional. When our technicians set binding release settings they have to take a whole range of information into account, including the skiier's age, height, weight, skiing ability, as well as referencing binding manufacturers' specifications.

As bindings get on with age, their parts and components can deteriorate and eventually become unsafe. Every year binding manufacturers provide our technicians with a list of bindings which are no longer indemnified. Put simply, this means that the bindings have been deemed to be too old to adequately perform safely and our technicians are no longer able to service them. If you have a pair of older skis and you're not sure if the bindings are still safe or not, don't take any chances.

(Source: Alp Sport)

Education and training/entrance requirements

There are no real academic requirements; however, knowledge of the ski industry and ski construction is generally useful. Candidates will be fully trained in resort, and almost all ski techs will have started out by working seasons abroad.

If looking for a job overseas, there are hundreds of people doing the same thing, so any knowledge or experience the candidate may have will put them a step ahead.

There are a few 1 or 2-day courses that are recognised within the industry which can put hopefuls a step ahead of competitors.

These courses will allow the candidate to gain experience of using workshop machines, and they also teach the techniques of servicing equipment.

Experience gained in resorts overseas mean a greater chance of landing a decent tech role upon return to Australia, but it works the other way too. As the role offers “on the job” training, it can be beneficial for the candidate to spend some time at an Australian repair centre before heading overseas. Competition for places is considerable, especially in big-name resorts.

Employment Opportunities

Opportunities for career progression within the industry are quite limited, as repair centres often have quite a small workforce.

It is possible for experienced techs to progress to a “senior technician” role, or even centre manager, although past this, there are not many more places to go in terms of career betterment.

For candidates working overseas, there is the possibility of exploring other types of career in resort, such as chalet hosting, bar work, search and rescue or resort management, depending on experience and qualifications.

Did You Know? Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 Winter Olympics Results Cooper Woods - Australia's First Gold in this Olympics Men's Moguls Cooper Woods stunned the world's best with a series of sublime runs at the Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park After needing the second-chance qualifying on Thursday evening AEDT 12 February, which he topped, the 25-year-old Australian scored a massive 83.60 to head the field into the top-eight final. Going last, Woods scored the same 83.71 as Canadian legend Mikaël Kingsbury in the super final, but won on account of his greater score on the turns. "I was pretty nervous up top on that last one," Woods said. "Then my coach, Bobby, dialled me in." (Source: ABC News) Josie Baff - Gold Australian Snowboader Women's Snowboard Cross Event Josie Baff stormed to a famous gold medal in the women's snowboard cross. "The team is definitely a family," Baff said. "The coaches, you know, they're like second dads to us. (Source: ABC News) Cameron Bolton was forced from the team after breaking his neck in a training crash. Jakara Anthony - Gold Australian Dual Moguls Jakara Anthony's dual moguls gold makes her Australia's first double Winter Olympic champion and adds a third win to the team's tally to make Milano Cortina the country's greatest Winter Games. (Source: SMH) Australian moguls coach Peter McNiel with Jakara Anthony and the gold medal that makes her the country’s most successful winter athlete. Scotty James - Silver Australian halfpipe snowboader Danielle Scott - Silver Aerial Skiing (Source: OWIA) Matt Graham - Bronze Australian - Dual Moguls Australian Flag-bearer for this Winter Olympics

The Conversation 9 May 2025

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Read the article, list all the reasons for people teaching snowsports rather than a 9-to-5 job, and, discuss with a partner the results.

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Materials sourced from
MyJobSearch [Ski Instructor; Ski & Snowboard Technician; ]
Labour Market Insights [Snowsport Instructor; ]
Zippa [Snowboard Instructor; ]
Alp Sport [Ski Snowboarding Tuning; ]
Ski Mag [World Cup Ski Technicians; ]
JobHero [Snowboard Instructor; ]
Australian Ski Patrol Association [Becoming a Patroller; ]
Snow Safe [Ski Patrol & Rescue Services; ]
Perisher Ski Patrol Inc [Become a Patroller; ]
Your Career [Snowsport Instructor; ]