A season in the powder wonderland
The country in the East. The land of the rising sun. Japan. A powder wonderland with 16 meters of snow per winter, makes a season as an instructor in this mysterious country a unique opportunity. You now have the chance to make this unique experience yours by arranging season as an instructor in Japans wonderland with Snowminds.
Here at Snowminds, we have years of experience in arranging ski seasons in Japan. We know the country and the ski destinations inside and out and we know what it takes for your ski season in Japan to live up to your expectations 100%. If you are already a certified ski or snowboard instructor, then we will help you arrange the perfect season in Japan.
A season in Japan
A mysterious, legendary country, which most people have yet to explore. A unique, fascinating culture far away from anything we know and most importantly, the worlds deepest, lightest and best powder!
Japan has a whole wonderland of Snow. Far north on the island Hokkaido or out west in the Japanese Alps. An average of 16 meters of dry powder makes Japan the worlds absolute number 1 powder destination.
The season typically runs from December to February(Short season) or December to April(Long season), afterwards you have the opportunity to join our Japan round-trip or our legendary End-of-Season trip in Hawaii. Ready to take your skiing or riding to the next level? The possibilities are endless and our experienced staff are here to help you create a trip that makes sure that you get the absolute most out of your winter season with Snowminds in Japan.
What’s included?
This experience is for those who are already certified ski and/or snowboard instructors and ideally have teaching experience. We arrange your whole winter season and help you find a job in a Japanese ski school, accommodation, lift card, visa, bank and anything else you might need. We can also help you order flights and other transportation, arrange further education in your season or guide you through the opportunities for traveling around after your season.
This trip includes:
- A winter season as an instructor with job at a local Japanese ski school
- Arranged accommodation, lift card and uniform during your season*
- A salary of approx. 2000 Yen per hour + additional bonuses after your qualification
- Work insurance*
- Help with visa application, choosing insurances and all other practicalities
- Kick-off event before departure
- The opportunity to buy equipment with large discounts from our Snowmindsstore
- Confidence in a Danish travel company that is a member of the Travel Guarantee Fund
- A unique community with friends for life
- A total experience where we help with all practicalities
- A passionate team that supports you ALL THE WAY!
Furthermore we can help you with:
- Booking flight tickets to/from Japan, or else where in the world
- Participation on our courses, potentially an avalanche saftety course or our level 2 courses.
- Ordering hostels on arrival in Japan, if needed.
- Local transport in Japan to your destination
- Japan round-trip or our End of season trip in Hawaii
What’s not included?
- Flight transport and local transport
- Any costs associated with the visa application
- Cancellation insurance and travel insurance
- Possible expenses for accommodation, lift pass and uniform during the season
- Anything else not mentioned above
*Final employment. terms will be decided by your ski school. There may be compensation for housing, lift cards, etc. as part of the salary.
"After seasons in both Canada and Austria I went to Japan which was something completely different. I love the snow, the food, the culture and everything else about my season here"
- Trine, Snowminds instructor
WHO CAN APPLY?
Here at Snowminds, we take pride in choosing the right people to become part of our team of experienced ski and snowboard instructors. We are renowned amongst the ski schools for educating and recruiting competent, energetic and top motivated ski- and snowboard instructors.
What we expect from you:
- You have completed a course with Snowminds previously or have minimum a level 1 instructor certification (i.e. CSIA, NZSIA, Anwärter or similar)
- Minimum one season of teaching experience*
- 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
- Aged 18-30 (for visa requirements)
When you have submitted your application we will invite you to an interview, here we will advise you about your opportunities and evaluate whether or not we can offer you a spot on the team. Should you be among the lucky ones, the next step will be a personal job interview with our partner ski school.
There is great interest in this experience and therefore available positions fill-up quickly. Therefore, we operate on a “first come – first served” principle, where we have an application deadline every month. This means the earlier you apply, the greater your chances are to join the team and get a job at your dream destination.
You can use the application form, where you also find the dates and prices her on this page or you can find our application form in the top menu.
ATTENTION. This experience is only for already qualified instructors. If you wish to become a qualified ski or snowboard instructor so you can work in Japan then read all about this on this page: Become a qualified instructor in Japan with Snowminds
*If you don’t have any teaching experience, please reach out to us and we will do our best to help you.
Work Hours
Work hours depend on snow conditions and guest volume, which varies each season. Some periods may have less work, as not all resorts and ski schools are equally busy throughout the season.
In Japan, most tourists come from Australia, New Zealand, and wealthier Asian countries like China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea. The busiest times of the season are during Christmas and New Year, the Australian summer holiday in January, and Chinese New Year in mid-February. After this, work tends to slow down, providing more opportunities for free skiing. During these quieter periods, you can also take advantage of advanced training with your ski school or explore nearby resorts with friends to experience Japan’s famous powder snow.
Salary expectations
Your ski school will provide you with an official work contract, either before arrival or upon reaching your destination. Make sure to read it carefully and ask the ski school if anything is unclear. In Japan, it is common to receive a contract ending in February, with the possibility of an extension if there is demand and you have performed well as an instructor.
Wages vary, but as a Level 1 instructor, you can expect to earn 1,500–2,500 YEN per hour, with opportunities for bonuses, tips, and extra private lessons. Higher-level instructors (Level 2, 3, or 4) receive a higher hourly wage, which is determined by the ski school.
It’s important to set realistic financial expectations. You won’t get rich as an instructor, so we highly recommend having at least 2,000 euros in savings to fully enjoy the season. Earnings and expenses differ greatly depending on personal budgets and spending habits. The Japanese embassy also requires proof of sufficient funds for working holiday visa holders. For example, British citizens must have at least 1,500 GBP (or 2,500 GBP without a return ticket) when entering Japan. Check with your local embassy for specific requirements.
Contract length
Your start date should be agreed upon directly with your ski school, including when they expect you to arrive at the resort. Your employment officially begins on your first working day, which is typically when your first guests arrive, and you teach your first lessons. There is no work before guests arrive.
In Japan, ski schools generally expect instructors to stay until the end of the busy period in February. After that, contracts often shift to an ad hoc structure, where instructors are paid per lesson taught. This is standard practice in Japan. If you perform well during the first part of the season, you may be offered an extension, but this depends on the ski school and guest demand. Your end date is agreed upon individually with the ski school manager.
By accepting this position, you are committing to a team that depends on you to fulfill your contract. The ski school has chosen you over many other candidates, and as a Snowminds instructor, we expect you to give your best effort throughout your time at the resort.
Accommodation
No matter which resort you travel to, we ensure that your seasonal housing is arranged. Many ski schools in Japan include accommodation in their work contracts.
Whether you stay in resort staff housing or a private rental, you will share accommodation with other Snowminds instructors, creating a strong community with your colleagues. Living arrangements vary by resort, but you will typically stay in older houses, hostels, or small apartments with a cozy, dorm-like setup.
It’s important to keep an open mind, as housing will likely be very different from what you are used to at home or what you might expect from a ski holiday chalet. Seasonal accommodation is simple and functional rather than luxurious, but it will quickly feel like home, and your fellow instructors will become your second family. By the end of the season, saying goodbye will likely be the hardest part!
Rental Contract & Security Deposit
Housing in Japan is typical for instructors, meaning you should not expect luxury. You will often stay in older houses, condos, hostels, or dorm-style apartments, but no matter the setup, it will quickly feel like home, and your time will mostly be spent shredding the mountain with new friends.
Some ski schools require instructors to sign a housing contract and pay a security deposit. If you leave the accommodation clean and in good condition, your deposit will be refunded, though a cleaning fee may be deducted. Rent varies between ski schools and is usually deducted directly from your salary. More specific details will be available in your ski school pack.
Price
Season in Japan (For certified instructors)
from €1195
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