What is your role/job title at Mt Olympus ski field?
Ski Instructor & entertainment co-ordinator.
Can you describe a typical day in the life of Mel Parsons at Mt Olympus?
I am usually up at 7:30am, and am out on the snow by 8am checking that the tows and trips are all running properly. If we have had new snow I am likely to be digging and/or adjusting pulley heights.
Breakfast fits in at some stage during the morning. On weekdays I take lessons for the people on ski weeks, which typically go for 4-5 hours a day depending on the numbers and ability of the skiers. The first lesson normally starts at 10am. I then take a break for lunch and get into more lessons in the afternoon and maybe a walk if conditions permit.
On the weekends I do more general outside work - doing shifts at the bottom of the access, helping people learn how to use the tow, checking tickets, welcoming newbie’s and just being around if anyone needs a hand.
The hill doesn't have an official closing time, but most people are usually done by 5pm, so we shut off the tows and then side slip all the tow-lines. When we are done outside it is usually out of the ski boots and straight into the hot tub. Sometimes we will go for a night ski, but living up there for the whole winter we get rather spoilt and tend to only go out when it's pristine! Evenings vary depending on the crew that is staying, but after dinner, drinks and a few games of 500, I am usually ready to hit the sack.
What are the highlights and the draw backs of your work?
There are so many great things about working up the hill - I get to ski for most of everyday for starters! Meeting loads of great people who are all buzzing just to be up here. I get to work with a great crew of staff and volunteers. On the teaching side of things it is a real buzz when I see people improving and feeling better about their skiing. The environment up here is stunning; waking up and looking out my bedroom window to see the sunrise down the valley never gets old. I could go on and on...
Drawbacks? Apart from the odd sore knee/shoulder/ankle at times, there really aren't many that I can think of. It's just an awesome place to be.
What is it that you like about working in the mountains?
Being away from the world (and all of the above).
What experience do you have previous to working at Mt Olympus?
I started out when I was still at school at Rainbow ski field, doing bits of everything and whatever I was told! I had quite a few years just skiing recreationally before I ended up working a couple of winters in Canada, Mt Hutt back in NZ and then Olympus in 2009.
Did you do any formal training that prepared you for this role?
CSIA (Canadian) Level 2 Ski Instructor. First Aid training.
You’re also a successful musician, how do you balance life as a ski instructor and with your musical career?
It actually fits in pretty well - I am away from the music world for about 3 months over the winter, which is typically quiet anyway - and is a great break from Auckland! I end up doing a bit of admin stuff at night at Olympus, and I can shoot away for a few nights here and there for shows when I need to.
