Nonstop: Hey Joe, where do we find you right now — and how’s the southern season going?
Joe: I’m in Porters Alpine Resort for the season, about an hour and a half from Christchurch on the NZ South Island. It was a slow start on the snow front, but it came in and we’ve been busy. Beautiful place to work and live.
NS: You were a PE teacher and hockey coach back in the UK before all this. What made you trade that in for our ski instructor internship in Fernie?
J: I absolutely loved what I was doing in the UK — I was lucky to work with some great schools and teams — but I fancied a new challenge. The Nonstop instructor internship was a chance to combine my two biggest passions: coaching and skiing. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
NS: You came in on our internship program in 23/24 — a short training block, Level 1, and straight into a job at Fernie Winter Sports School. What was that first season like?
J: That first season was incredible. Nonstop took great care of us and the training from the coaches in Fernie was next level. Our intern house, with 7 of us all in the same boat, was a great environment live in too — super social, super fun, everyone stoked to be there.
Fernie itself is such a special place to live, the community is tight, and the mountain is one of the best I’ve ever skied. It made for the best rookie season I could have asked for.
NS: You got your Level 2 in that rookie season too — were you always planning to push on, or did that happen organically?
J: Another rider on the internship program, Charlie — one of my closest friends now — and I were both pretty driven from the start. Passing the Level 2 in that first season was always a goal. We started training straight after the Level 1 and got it done early in the season. Really proud of that one.
NS: You’ve been in Fernie ever since — third winter just wrapped, right? It’s a pretty unique place — what is it about that town that has kept you there?
J: That’s right, I’ve had three great seasons in Fernie so far. It’s hard to put into words how special Fernie is. The mountain is phenomenal — huge variety of terrain, and for someone who loves big mountain skiing, it’s hard to imagine being anywhere else. But it’s more than the skiing. Fernie doesn’t feel like a seasonal town — people arrive and they don’t leave. You build a real community, winter and summer. It’s a place I’m proud to call home.
NS: You trained for and landed your Level 3 in your second full season. What drove that push, and what did that step up teach you?
J: I’ve always wanted to push to be the best at whatever I commit to, in sport and in coaching. I enjoy having a goal to work toward during the season and the Level 3 was the natural next step. It was a tough process but I’m really glad I pushed for it. Having that target gave the season shape and purpose — and getting it done felt significant.
NS: What’s the Fernie Winter Sports School like as a place to learn the craft — who or what have shaped your development there?
J: FWSS is a fantastic environment to work in and develop. The training opportunities are one of the main reasons I keep coming back. Everyone there is supportive — whether you’re a Level 1 rookie or a Level 4 trainer, there’s always someone to ride with and learn from. There are so many people who’ve shaped the instructor and skier I am today that I wouldn’t want to single anyone out for fear of missing someone. I genuinely wouldn’t be where I am without that community.
NS: Has your background in sports and coaching helped you along the way? And does it shape the way you teach on snow — or is it a completely different world?
J: It’s helped massively — from understanding coaching principles to how I interact with riders of all ages. The transition from a sports pitch to snow felt pretty natural. There are things that carry over from every sport I’ve coached, and I’ve loved the challenge of applying them in a new environment.
NS: You sported the blue jacket and coached on a few Nonstop camps this past winter — what was that experience like?
J: From the moment I was coached in my first season by Ben and Joel, I wanted to pull on that blue jacket. I said at the start of that third winter that if I got to wear it once I’d be happy — I ended up coaching a lot on the 11-week instructor course and two 2-week camps as well. A real full circle moment, and one I’m incredibly proud of. I’m stoked to get back to Fernie next winter to continue in the blue jacket.
NS: You’ve crossed paths with Harry Morris through all of this — a friend of ours, and also featured in this series — and now you’re working together at Porters in NZ. How did that come about?
J: I met Harry in my second season in Fernie, his first, and we clicked early on. He’s become one of my closest friends but also someone I look up to in the industry — he’s helped me with my skiing, and even more so with my coaching. I shadowed him on an early Nonstop camp which was invaluable. When he got the Head of Snow Sports role at Porters and asked if I wanted to come out, it was a no-brainer.
NS: Is this your first season in the southern hemisphere? What’s the back-to-back lifestyle like so far?
J: First time in New Zealand, yeah — somewhere I’d always wanted to visit, ski, and teach. I had a good stretch at home in the UK between seasons which helped, so I arrived here ready to go. I love winter, so chasing them suits me fine.
NS: What would you say to a teacher or coach back in the UK sitting on the fence about doing something like this?
J: Just do it. I was nervous about making the jump, but it’s the best life decision I’ve made. One of this season’s interns, Callum, reached out before he committed and asked a lot of questions — he’s had the time of his life in Fernie. If anyone’s on the fence, drop me a message. Happy to talk it through.
NS: What does a career in snowsports look like long term, from where you’re standing now?
J: New Zealand is an experiment — figuring out whether back-to-back winters works for me long term. If this season goes well, I want to keep doing it for as long as my body allows. I’d love to keep coming back to Fernie, visa situation permitting. I’ve also got my eye on coaching opportunities in Japan and Europe. Watch this space.
NS: Cheers, Joe. Enjoy the rest of the season at Porters. We’re excited to see where you go next!
From to the touchline to Canada, NZ, and Level 3 — and coaching with Nonstop where it all started. Joe’s packed a lot into his post-Nonstop journey in just a few short years.
If you’ve been thinking about switching up and following your obsession, check out or ski instructor courses or ski instructor internships.