EA Ski and Snowboard Training partner with Myoko Snowsports, who have bases in Akakura, Arai and Suginohara. Myoko Kogen offers access to multiple ski resorts within the local area connected via shuttle bus, with Akakura Onen and Akakura Kanko forming an interconnected option. The ski school has won the Ski Asia Awards ‘Best Japan Snowsports School for the last 5 years. Training for this course is undertaken at Saas Fee in Switzerland, before flying out to begin employment in Japan.
Myoko Kogen offers fantastic powder snow and some excellent off-piste opportunities, often with minimal lift lines and fewer crowds than some larger resorts. It’s slopes provide a sense of vastness with numerous runs across its interconnected and nearby resorts. Exploring the diverse terrain, from gentle groomers to challenging powder bowls, could easily fill your days, leaving you wanting more time to discover every corner.
Serious about becoming a ski instructor? Train, qualify & work all in one season. Work in Canada, Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand or the USA.
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* Please be aware that the City Orientations are an extra cost for the Internships. There is no City Orientation option available for Queenstown (NZ), Imagine Niseko (Japan), Niseko Village (Japan), Niseko GoSnow (Japan) & Rusutsu (Japan).
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* Accommodation differs from resort to resort, please speak with our team to check on this for your preferred resort. Usually accommodation is covered until the end of the level 1 exam with an option to remain at your own cost for the remainder of the season.
The Training Period
Training for this course is undertaken at Saas Fee resort in Switzerland in November, prior to flying out to Japan for work. You will work towards your level 1 certification with trainers at the snow sure glacier (and other terrain if available). Following on from your level 1 exam you will transfer to Geneva and continue on to Japan from there. During the training period accommodation, lift passes, training and the necessary exams are covered.
What it’s like working at Myoko Kogen
After arriving into Japan you will transfer from Tokyo to Myoko Kogen. Once arrived you will move into staff accommodation and then undertake a 5 day staff orientation program. Staff accommodation is a very affordable 1000JPY per night (rate subject to change season to season), which works out to only around $200USD per month. You are then able to either walk to work or staff shuttles are provided when required. There are also out of town shopping trips multiple times a week to get to bigger stores than offered in the local area. Participants here should have a desire to work on a full time agreement. It is busy over the holiday periods and through the peak season in January/early February, however becomes more part time thereafter.
Myoko Snowsports hire staff from all around the world and offer a high quality product, ensuring guests have a wonderful experience, so you will be expected to play a strong part in this and will have opportunities to learn from their experienced team. Beyond the skiing there is the possibility to do day trips to see the famous snow monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park, or explore the city of Nagano with it’s historic temples – the city of Nagano is approximately 45-50 minutes away via car with a train also available. The area is also well known for it’s natural hot springs (onsens), while the main village of Akakura Onsen has a charming, traditional feel with local restaurants and izakayas.
Accommodation in Saas Fee is generally twin share apartments or shared rooms in a swiss style chalet, centrally located within Saas Fee village (or connected via an easy transport link).
Please note rooms are twin share and bedding arrangements will generally be two singles as opposed to the double visible in the below picture. Depending on rooming, this may vary.
The above is indicative based on previous seasons and is subject to availability.
Once you arrive in Myoko Kogen you will move into staff accommodation – these are shared rooms but come at only 1000JPY per night (subject to seasonal changes). Information will be provided about this accommodation once you are introduced to the ski school prior to the season to complete onboarding processes.
EA Ski and Snowboard Training want you to have the best season possible. We have a program manager on the ground during your time in Saas Fee, who is easily contacted and there to offer advice and support at all times. Not only are they familiar with Saas Fee itself, they will also be a familiar face to make your training experience that much easier. Once you transfer to Myoko Kogen you are doing so as an employee so will be well looked after by the ski school.
Our ski instructor course at Saas-Fee, Switzerland allows you to obtain a globally recognised qualification with the BASI (British Association of Snowsports Instructors). BASI formally constituted in 1963, is a UK based membership and its qualification pathway is recognised internationally and BASI is a member of the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA)
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