Ski & Snowboard Lessons
Niseko’s soft layer of snow on the runs provides the perfect environment for beginners on their first attempts at skiing. The broad variety of professional, top-rate ski and snowboard schools available in Niseko will offer lessons for beginners, or thrill-seekers vying for an off-track adventure with a professional.
The unrivalled snow falls in Niseko attract ski-instructors known for their skill and professionalism, so make sure you book your lessons in advance to ensure you don’t miss out. Please do not hesitate to request a list of Gondola Chalet recommended ski schools upon making your booking.
Below are three popular ski schools in the Hirafu and Hanazono areas:
PRIVATE LESSONS FOR INTERNATIONAL GUESTS
Private lessons are the ideal way to explore the best Niseko has to offer and enhance your skills with a dedicated and expert private instructor. Lessons are tailored to your needs and you can choose from one-on-one attention, or a group of up to 4 with similar ability levels to share the instructor.
Ability levels:
| Level | Level 1 First Timer | Level 2 Beginner | Level 3 Novice | Level 4 Intermediate | Level 5 Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skill | It is my first time skiing or snowboarding. | I have tried skiing or snowboarding before and I can stop. | I can use the chair lift, link basic turns and speed control. | I can turn (parallel for skis or link turns for snowboard) on all green and red runs. | Confident riding all over the mountain. |
| Goal of the Lesson | Learn to stop and turn, go left & right. | Learning to simple turn (snowplough for ski, falling leaf for snowboard), ride the chair lift and control my speed. | Learning to turn and adapt to steeper and uneven terrain. | Learning to ride on all runs, short turns, easy bumps, intro to powder. | Further developing advanced riding skills across a variety of terrain. |
| Terrain | Flat land and magic carpet. | Magic carpet, Family chair. | Green runs, easy reds. | Red runs, easy blacks. | Whole mountain. |
* We work with only the best ski schools in the area to offer a premium service for our valued guests and will do all we can to accommodate your lesson language preference wherever possible if advised in advance.
Pricing
| Ski Lesson | Price |
|---|---|
| Full-Day (7-hours, including 1 Hour Lunch Break) | ¥ 65,000 |
| Half-Day AM (3 Hours) | ¥ 35,000 |
| Half-Day PM (3 Hours) | ¥ 35,000 |
| Night Lesson (2 Hours from 5:00 pm) | ¥ 25,000 |
| Kiroro/Rusutsu Full Day Lesson | ¥ 80,000 |
* Above pricing may vary dependent on the ski school provider available on your date and will be confirmed at time of booking.
Terms and Conditions
- Lift passes and equipment rental are not included in the lesson price and need to be purchased in addition to this cost.
- At time of booking please indicate whether a ski instructor or snowboard instructor is required, and the lesson will be conducted as either a ski lesson OR a snowboard lesson (mixed discipline not possible).
- Cancellation fees may be applicable for any changes or cancellations made within 14 days of the lesson start date as charged by the third-party provider. In making your booking through us as an agent you agree to the cancellation policy of the third-party supplier. We will not apply any cancellation fees to our valued guests that are not charged to us by the ski school.
GROUP SKI LESSONS
* Group lessons for this winter are available in Japanese only
If you are wanting to learn in a group setting and can speak Japanese, choose from a Half Day (2 hours) or Full Day (4 hours) group lesson with Grand Hirafu ski school. Ski lessons are available for children aged 6-12 years and adults aged 13 years and above. Snowboard lessons are available for those 7 years and above. For beginner children learning to ski, aged 4 to 5 years, there is an option for the lesson to be conducted in a dedicated kids-only area equipped with a lift for beginners.
Ability levels:
| Level | Level 1 First Timer | Level 2 Beginner | Level 3 Novice | Level 4 Intermediate | Level 5 Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skill | It is my first time skiing or snowboarding. | I have tried skiing or snowboarding before and I can stop. | I can use the chair lift, link basic turns and speed control. | I can turn (parallel for skis or link turns for snowboard) on all green and red runs. | Confident riding all over the mountain. |
| Goal of the Lesson | Learn to stop and turn, go left & right. | Learning to simple turn (snowplough for ski, falling leaf for snowboard), ride the chair lift and control my speed. | Learning to turn and adapt to steeper and uneven terrain. | Learning to ride on all runs, short turns, easy bumps, intro to powder. | Further developing advanced riding skills across a variety of terrain. |
| Terrain | Flat land and magic carpet. | Magic carpet, Family chair. | Green runs, easy reds. | Red runs, easy blacks. | Whole mountain. |
Pricing:
| Ski | Half-day (2 hours) | Full-day (4 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (13 years old or above) | ￥5,300 | ￥8,500 |
| Junior (6-12 years old) | ￥5,300 | ￥8,500 |
| Kids Beginner (4, 5 years old) | ￥6,400 | ￥9,600 |
| Snowboard | Half-day (2 hours) | Full-day (4 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (7 years old or above) | ￥5,300 | ￥8,500 |
* Above pricing may vary dependent on the ski school provider available on your date and will be confirmed at time of booking.
FOR ALL BOOKINGS PLEASE CLICK HERE