Ski + snowboard instructor jobs in Japan

With its endless powder and unique culture, Japan is a rite of passage for any serious skier or snowboarder. A mecca for powder hounds, we see many Nonstop graduates head to Japan for their rookie season and beyond.

Expect plenty of bottomless powder days, sushi for lunch and after-work onsens. Here’s what you need to know about scoring a job in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Fast facts

• Powder days are the norm – resorts in Hokkaido receive an average of 15 metres of snowfall per season
• Get used to giant hot tubs – communal bathing in hot springs known as onsens is traditional in Japanese culture.
• Slurping in Japan is not considered rude. Don’t be surprised when you see the locals slurping their noodles.

Resorts

There are over 500 ski areas in Japan – home to some of the heaviest snowfall on the planet. From well-known areas such as Niseko and Hakuba, to small local resorts, the mountains stretch from the sub-arctic north island of Hokkaido to southern Kyushu. Japan’s largest resort serves up 83km of groomed slopes, but the real magic of Japan is in its deep powder, epic tree skiing and endless off-trail options,

Season: For most resorts in Japan, the season runs from mid December to early April.

Recruitment period: Snow schools usually start recruiting in late June/July.

Popular resorts:

• Rusutsu, Hokkaido
• Niskeo, Hokkaido
• Kiroro, Hokkaido
• Hakuba, Honshu
• Myoko, Honshu

How to work here

To work as an instructor in Japan, you need:

• Minimum of Level 2 CSIA, BASI or NZSIA
• Japanese working holiday visa or company sponsorship

Pay + perks

Pay depends on your level of qualification and varies from resort to resort. Here’s a rough guide to the pay structure:

• Level 2 – equivalent of about £10/hour in Japanese yen
• Level 3 - £15/hour

Each ski school usually has its own bonus system in place to allow instructors to increase their season's income. Examples include earning up to 50% of private referrals, or accumulating points throughout the season leading to a bonus. Earning tips is not unheard of in Japan, however it usually depends on the nationality of the guest.

Working hours vary depending on the time of season, but most of the winter you can expect to work for 6-8 hours per day, and up to seven days a week during peak season.

Did you know: Japan is famous for its epic night skiing and you may get the opportunity to work evening lessons to boost your pay.

Don’t forget: In most Japanese resorts staff accommodation is organised for you, allowing you to turn up and not worry about finding a place to live.

Not qualified?

If you're not yet qualified and fancy yourself working as an instructor in Japan, check out our ski instructor courses / snowboard instructor courses to see how we'll get you there.