In this week's Off Piste, The Remarkables ski patroller Gordon Menzies fills us in on the highs and lows of his job.
Job: Ski patroller at The Remarkables.
Q) Where are you from?
A) From Queenstown, been here about 13 years now.
Before that, Nelson.
Q) How many seasons in the job and why did you choose it?
A) This is my fifth season at The Remarkables and my eighth patrolling in total. I chose it because I've always been into the outdoors and love getting in and among the mountains. I did the patrol course about five years ago now. My Dad pushed me into it, so it's all good.
Q) How would you describe the work?
A) Love it! A lot of variety. It changes every day and you've got to be ready for anything. It's a good mixture, with the first aid and the avalanche-control side of things as well.
Q) What's the best thing about it?
A) Chucking bombs around! Getting up here first thing, being the first one on the mountain and being on top for the rising sun. Then going home after everyone else and being the last one off. So it's pretty awesome.
Q) The worst thing about it?
A) You can always say the same thing, the early mornings can be a bit of a drag.
Q) How would you describe life in Queenstown?
A) It's good. It has changed a lot over the time that I've been here. You definitely notice the influx of visitors and it has got a lot busier. But I wouldn't change it. I don't think I'd like to live anywhere else.
Q) What's the best advice you have for someone moving to Queenstown for seasonal work?
A) Get here early. Don't wait until the last minute.
Arrive before you need to and get everything sorted ahead of everyone else.
Q) What has been your most amusing skifield experience to date?
A) I once worked with a fellow ski patroller called Erich Leidums. We arrive at an accident site to a guy with a broken wrist wearing nothing but a pair of mountain rescue Speedos and a children's vest.
Quite a moment.
