Ski Instructor Course in Japan

Ski Instructor Course in Japan

A season with Snowminds is not only about snow. It’s also about diving deep into a new culture and environment. On that front, Japan delivers. The country’s rich history and culture offers you a world within a world. The equation is simple: Live in a cultural epicenter + Eat world-class cuisine + Shred the finest powder = JaPOW. Tough to resist, right?

That’s why Snowminds is excited to offer you the opportunity to join our ski instructor course in Japan and work for a local ski school. With our 3-week ski instructor training course as a starting point, you can go from a relative beginner to a competent ski instructor with the ability to grow immensely throughout your season. It may seem like a dream, but it is absolutely within your reach!

The ski instructor training in Japan

Over a 3-week ski instructor course in Japan (or in Austria) with our most talented and experienced coaches, you will quickly develop your ski technique and teaching skills to become a highly-competent ski instructor. From day one you will be brought all the way back to basics and practice the very first steps of skiing. From here, you will day by day slowly build up your teaching abilities and practice everything from silly games to technical positions and movements. You will get to know different ways of teaching and communicating which will enable you to provide great experiences no matter what.

Throughout the course, your trainer will use video analysis as a part of the training and development. Not only is video analysis a great tool for improving your level, it is also a fun memory to have after your course as you will be able to see your significant development during the 3 weeks.

Theory is also a part of the training, which is important to understand the concepts in the elements you learn on the mountain during the day. This theory will be studied in the evenings together with the other Snowminders and don’t worry, it is not a heavy theory taking up every evening.

Your Snowminds Team leaders will arrange fun afternoon/evening activities during the course which will combine social activities and your development as an instructor.

These different parts combined will prepare you in the best possible way to become a ski instructor and work in a ski school.

Recommendation: Check out our 5 Star Facebook reviews and learn more about Snowminds from our ski and snowboard instructors!

The ski instructor life in Japan

After passing your Level 1 ski instructor exam, the journey gets even more exciting as you will immediately begin working as a beginner ski instructor at your designated ski school in Japan. Now working as a paid ski instructor and shredding powder every day awaits you!

Your daily life as a paid ski instructor may not be glamorous, but it’s certainly romantic. Each morning you will wake up to the world’s freshest powder with an average of 16 meters of snow per season. You will also get the chance to immerse yourself in an ancient and sophisticated culture, where everything from the food to the sauna in Japan is of the highest quality. Across the Hokkaido landscape lie several active volcanoes, which stand tall and silently beg you to shred them. Throughout your season as a ski instructor, it’s your job to fulfill that sacred mission and shred powder like you never have before.

As a ski instructor in Japan, you should expect quality work and living conditions in a truly local Japanese environment. Although your guests will be primarily from Asia, Australia, and other English-speaking areas and countries, your day-to-day life will also give you the opportunity to live and work as the Japanese do. In practice, you will sometimes get the chance to eat Japanese food with your guests, some ski schools have a Japanese canteen and cheap local restaurants will offer a unique experience every time, and then after work get to enjoy afternoon and night-skiing sessions with your colleagues and friends. It’s a close-knit community and you should expect your Japanese colleagues to warmly welcome you with open arms.

In terms of cultural opportunities, you will get the chance to visit the mainland and explore Tokyo, one of the world’s most modern cities. Get a taste of a culture, where sushi or Kobe steak is always an option, and then top off the meal with a trip to the hot springs, called Onsen. Finish your night in a karaoke bar and sing Barbie Girl at the top of your lungs. It’s hard to go wrong. If this adventure interests you, then get in line now. Trust us, it’s worth it.

WHAT DO YOU GET FROM SNOWMINDS?

When you travel with Snowminds we will help you out with all the practicalities. That way you can pack your bags and good vibes and focus on preparing for your next adventure.

With this course package, you can look forward to the following benefits:

• A winter season in Japan as a ski instructor
• 3-week Level 1 ski instructor training course in Austria or Japan
• 10 days of English-spoken world-class ski training as preparation for the level 1 certification
• An internationally recognized English-spoken level 1 certification (NZSIA, CSIA, BASI, or APSI)
• A job at a local ski school in Japan with organized season accommodation, a season lift pass, and a uniform*
• 3 weeks of accommodation with breakfast and dinner during your training course
• Roundtrip flights to Japan (from a major international airport)**
• Local transport from the airport to your ski school in Japan***
• Social activities planned during the course & season
• Snowminds Team Leader to support you during the course
• Invitation to Kick-off event prior to departure (online attendance possible)
• Invitation to Snowminds Reunion Party after your season ends
• A dedicated team to support you before, during, and after the winter season
• Help with the visa application and all other practicalities to prepare for winter
• Pro-deals at Snowmindsstore
• Travel protection with Snowminds Money Back Guarantee and membership of the Danish Travel Guarantee Fund
• 24-hour emergency phone during the course and season
• Opportunity for level 2 training/ certification
• Opportunity to join our Japan round trip or go with us to Hawaii after your season ends
• A strong community with fellow Snowminders
• A total experience where all the practicalities are arranged for you

Not included:

• Travel activity after the season including transport from your destination to the airport
• Cancellation insurance, travel insurance, and visa fees
• Housing deposit and rent for the full seasonal accommodation
• Ski equipment, pocket money and anything not mentioned above

*Seasonal accommodation and season lift pass can be conditional on passing education and maintaining subsequent employment. Employment depends on if you are eligible for a Working Holiday Visa. Please note that you will in most cases get an employment contract from December until the end of February, with the possibility of an extension (not guaranteed).

**Return flights are included from a major international airport including London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, or Copenhagen. We will happily arrange flights from other areas, such as Edinburgh or Sydney, upon request and likely extra charges. In all cases, please be aware that there may be additional costs depending on the departure airport, flight availabilities, and price increases! We will notify you before final flight bookings are made in such cases. You are also welcome to book your own flights, in which case we provide a 700 euro discount for your trip. If you have any questions please just reach out to us.

***If you participate in a course in Austria you will be charged 200 euro for transport to Austria (from Denmark and the Netherlands) and for the transport from the course resort to the airport. 

WHO CAN APPLY TO BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR IN JAPAN?

At Snowminds we pride ourselves in selecting the right people for our team of ski- and snowboard instructors. We are renowned amongst the ski schools for educating competent, energetic and top motivated ski- and snowboard instructors. You don’t have to be an expert on the snow, and no matter what your level is – we have a course that is tailor made just for you. We will make sure you receive the necessary training before your exam so you’re ensured to live out your winter dream as an instructor in Japan. The most important thing for you is to be positive, outgoing, adventurous and ready to work hard to get the memory of a lifetime as a part of the Snowminds team.

What we expect from you:

• You have skied or snowboarded a minimum of 3-4 weeks
• You are positive, outgoing and adventurous
• You are serious, responsible and top motivated
• You are good with kids, teens, and adults
• You enjoy teaching and love being challenged  
• You speak English at a conversational level
• You are 18 years or above  
• You are eligible for a Working Holiday Visa*

When you have sent your application you will receive an invitation for an interview. During the interview we will evaluate your candidacy while you have the opportunity to get more information about our courses and the experience as an instructor in Japan.
After the interview, we will call you and let you know whether or not we can offer you a spot on our team.  

We have a big interest in our courses and the spots fill up quickly. Therefore we have a “first come, first serve” principle with an application deadline each month. This means that the earlier you send in your application, the greater your chances are of joining the team and getting your dream destination.

Use the application form below, where you will find our prices and dates, or fill out the application form above.  

*Eligibility for Working Holiday visa depends on different factors such as which passport you hold and your age. Ask us if you are unsure.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS