Great skiing made easy.
At the Rookie Academy Canada, we strive to offer the ultimate ski training experience—giving you the opportunity to train with some of the most talented and experienced trainers from around the world. With over 30 years in operation, we’ve helped more than 3,000 Rookies improve their skills, whether they’re aiming for instructor certification or simply looking to become stronger, more confident all mountain skier.
Meet the team
For over three decades, Dean's visionary leadership and unparalleled knack for creating an infectious culture have been at the heart of The Rookie Academy. His enduring spirit, which has inspired a generation of skiers, now lands in Canada. Josh and Guy will continue the tradition of sourcing the world's most elite trainers through collaboration with Dean and Rookies International, collectively pursuing inspirational, transformative, and unforgettable ski experiences for all of our Rookies!
Dean Hunter
Wee Big Man
Dean Hunter is the Owner and Director of Rookie Academy, which he founded in 1992 at Treble Cone, New Zealand. With over 35 years of experience in ski instruction, Dean is responsible for overall operations, program coordination. He oversees all aspects of the academy’s day to day delivery, ensuring high standards are maintained. Dean’s career includes more than 70 winter seasons of skiing across the U.S., Japan, Canada, Asia and Europe. Under his leadership, Rookie Academy has evolved from a local weekend instructor training program initiative into a world-renowned leader in offering Rookies camps and courses with opportunities for instructor certifications globally.
Josh Duncan-Smith
Rookies Head Trainer
Josh is a highly accomplished ski instructor, coach, and examiner. As Head Trainer at Rookie Academy, he brings extensive experience from various facets of the ski industry. He holds multiple qualifications from prestigious organisations, including AMSI, NZSIA, PSIE, CSIA, and IASI, and is a member of the NZSIA Demo Team. Each season, Josh delivers private lessons, instructor certification courses, and Rookies Elite camps while also producing instructional online content. His goal in every setting is to help skiers maximise their potential. He is currently a contracted examiner for both PSIE and NZSIA. Josh’s impressive career also includes reaching the finals in multiple technical skiing competitions across Asia.
Guy Dale
Rookies Trainer
Guy Dale is a highly experienced ski instructor with over 20 years in the field, having completed 22 consecutive winters teaching across Canada, Australia, Switzerland, and New Zealand. He holds top-level certifications, including CSIA Level 4, CSCF Level 3 and APSI Level 4. He has represented Canada at Interski as a national team member in 2023 Levi Finland, and remains on the national team for the 2027 Interski hosted by Vail, in the USA. Guy’s passion is focused on form not function, how we ski to balance in skiing. His main passion is learning theroy and teaching concepts, with a continuous mindset for improvement, with favorite locations including Silver Star, Whistler Blackcomb, Saas Fee, and Chamonix. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his work at Rookie Academy.
Rookies camps 2026
Since 1992 The Rookie Academy has made connections, inspired, and educated skiers all around the globe. Our week long camps are structured in such a way that harnesses this experience so every participant, no matter the level comes away with the feeling of success, growth, and knowledge. Once you attend a Rookies camp you are part of the family, a network of kind, generous, and passionate skiers to connect with again and again as you strive towards performance and that feeling of the perfect turn!
Whats the difference between our two camps?
The Elite Camps are for confident all mountain skiers on both groomed and un-groomed terrain. Elite Campers are looking to push their technique and performance all over the mountain.
Our Advanced Camps are for skiers that are looking to build confidence on mostly groomed terrain with some exploring and introduction to off piste (un-groomed) tactics and techniques.
The Rookie Academy
The ski specialists since 1992
Rookie Academy was founded at Treble Cone in 1992 by Dean Hunter. Initially a 10-day weekend course to train locals as ski instructors, it quickly gained momentum, becoming a full-time business by 1995.
From the start, Rookie Academy has set the standard for elite instructor training, continuously evolving to meet industry advancements. Under Dean’s leadership, the academy remains at the cutting edge of ski instruction, ensuring its graduates are among the most sought-after new hires worldwide.
Recognised for producing technically skilled, professional instructors, Rookie Academy continues to shape the future of the industry, providing world-class training in the stunning alpine environment of New Zealand.
