After living in Hamilton working in hairdressing and make-up artistry, Kate Bryant decided it was time for a change.

She lived in Alberta, Canada for a year and became a passionate skier. Lliving in the mountains and enjoying the great outdoors helped her realise that she wanted to have that kind of lifestyle more permanently.

Kate chose the Certificate in Snowsport Instructing (Ski) at Otago Polytechnic so she could live in Wanaka, work at Cardrona and devote herself to full-time training. “The best thing I got out of the course was an even deeper and renewed love of skiing. It has now become something of an addiction!” describes Kate.

After graduation, Kate went to Japan and taught ski instructing. "Powder skiing is the most electric feeling and has given me the best moments of my life which I would never have achieved without my instructor training. She also learnt Japanese and secured summer employment as a raft and canyoning guide. “It’s great. I get to spend summer doing so many awesome activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, mountain boarding and hiking.”

For the winter Kate is keen to get back to ski instructing “Who knows what part of the world I will end up in next!”