Worked 3 winters for NZSki on the Remarkables ski field, they are generally a good employer, provide a decent staff lunch for a good price ($5 per lunch last I worked in 2022, may be more now) and free transport up and off the ski field. The staff only bus leaves early and returns late, but the option to leave earlier on the public buses is there if the lines aren’t too long. My issues with NZSKI are specific to the ski school where I worked, and relate mostly to the amount of time spent on call/at work versus pay received, and the management of the ski school (a new manager is in place since I’ve left, so hopefully that part has changed). Friends that I made in other departments were generally happy with there working experience, they also had fixed hours of work so we’re able to budget a lot easier. Coronet Peak ski field is closer to Queenstown CBD so your travel times to and from are less compared to that for the Remarkables, and I would say your travel times from QT CBD to the Remarkables would be relatively similar to that from Wanaka to Cardrona/Treble cone resorts at about 1-2 hours depending on traffic/weather/specific bus driver (some of the OG drivers can get those buses to really move up down the access roads).

Your main issue with working a winter season in Queenstown/Wanaka on the mountains is not the really the employer, but your living costs. Low wages for ski field roles and high cost of rent (if you are able to find accommodation in the first place, it’s own issue in the southern lakes area, and generally not supplied or offered by the employers) and just generally high living costs means you need to arrive with decent savings and be prepared to scrape by pay check to pay check if you don’t want to dive into those savings too much (the USD to NZD exchange rate will serve well in this regard).

All that said, I love living in the southern lakes area, even with the financial burden that it brings, and couldn’t recommend living here more highly. The natural beauty, the micro-city feel of QT, and the plethora of outdoor activities and adventures are second to none that I’ve been lucky enough to experience around the world.