New Zealand Certificate in Mountain Facility Operations (L3)

This programme is for people who keep skiers and snowboarders safe on the mountain's lifts, roads and in its carparks.

Completing the Mountain Facility Operations certificate will furnish you with the skills and knowledge to work under indirect supervision as a lift operator or road and carpark attendant on a mountain facility, including snowsport areas.

Before you start

Please note that this programme is only available through specific employers. Get in touch with us for more information.

To enrol in this programme, you need to be working in an eligible organisation, in a paid job, self-employed, or as a volunteer with regular and consistent shifts.

What's involved?

This 40-credit qualification is designed to be completed in 6 months.

You'll be trained, observed and assessed in the workplace.

You will complete core modules and choose from one of two electives.

The core modules are:

  • Applying safe working procedures and practices
  • Identifying and responding to risks and hazards
  • Customer service.

The electives are:

Lift operations 

  • Safely operate aerial lifts and maintain a safe lift station
  • Manage queuing, crowd control and lift access.

Road and carpark services

  • Identify and respond to road and carpark conditions and capacity, weather, terrain and hazards
  • Provide safe and effective road and carpark services including alpine conditions driver technique advice.

Similar Qualifications

Enrol now Learn more

New Zealand Certificate in Alpine Resort Operations (L3)

This programme is designed to give people a good grounding in the skills and knowledge needed to work at an alpine resort in New Zealand.
Completing the Alpine Resort Operations certificate will prepare you to work in a variety of roles across resort departments, ensuring guests have fun, stay safe and make lifelong memories on the mountain.
Level 3

New Zealand Certificate in Snowsport Equipment (L3)

This programme is for workshop technicians and rental services personnel working in the snowsport sector.
By completing the Snowsport Equipment (Level 3) certificate, you will gain foundation skills and knowledge to ensure people are safely equipped for mountain recreation.
Level 3

New Zealand Certificate in Snowsport Equipment (L4)

This programme is designed for experienced snowsport equipment technicians or bootfitters working in the snowsport industry.
By completing the Snowsport Equipment (Level 4) certificate you will hone your specialist skills and knowledge in delivering high-quality snowsport equipment services to skiers and snowboarders.
Level 4

New Zealand Certificate in Snowsport (Patrol) (L4)

This programme is designed for the superheroes of the snowsport industry - the patrollers who provide first aid, rescue and avalanche control services in snowsport areas.
By completing the Patrol (Level 4) certificate you'll demonstrate that you can independently perform daily ski patrol functions, and work in a patrol team under the direct and indirect supervision of an experienced patroller.
Level 4

New Zealand Certificate in Introductory Snowschool Instruction (Applied) (L4)

This programme is for people who are working as either ski, snowboard, cross-country ski or telemark ski instructors at a snowschool.
By completing the Snowschool Instruction (Level 4) certificate you will gain the skills and knowledge to work in a snowschool environment, as an entry level instructor or teaching assistant with beginner learners.
Level 4

New Zealand Certificate in Intermediate Snowschool Instruction (Applied) (L5)

This programme is for snowschool instructors who teach intermediate ski, snowboard, telemark ski or cross-country ski skills.
Te Mahi Ako has worked with the New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA) to ensure this qualification aligns with the NZSIA curriculum. Completing the Snowschool (Level 5) certificate will furnish you with the skills and knowledge to confidently instruct ski, snowboard, telemark ski or cross-country ski lessons at an intermediate level, to all age groups.
Level 5