GoSnow is located in Hirafu and has access to all of the Niseko resorts. When you join an internship with EA Ski & Snowboard at Niseko Go Snow, you will receive plenty of work throughout the season and get lift line priority on all Grand Hirafu lifts. There are four resorts on Mt. Niseko-Annupuri that make up the larger Niseko ski resort area. These are Grand-Hirafu, Hanazono, Annupuri Ski Area and Niseko Village. Each resort has plenty to offer and your season pass will give you access to all four of these fantastic resorts. Plus, if you're looking for new resorts to explore on your days off, Rusutsu, Niseko Moiwa, Kiroro and other impressive Japanese ski resorts are also only a stone throw away.
100km from Sapporo, Niseko's main village is called Hirafu which sits at the base of the Grand-Hirafu ski resort. Hirafu is home to many hotels, restaurants, onsens, bars and is our EA intern's accommodation location for the training period. There is plenty going on here, and there is a great mix of traditional Japanese culture and great western comforts you'll recognise from back home.
Once your training is finished, and you are a certified instructor you will start working for Niseko GoSnow. The opportunity for work is consistent, with plenty of work available over the festive season for those who want it. Don't worry about working too much over this time, as there will still be plenty of snow for you to enjoy once the busy period is over. Plus Japan's snow seasons can last well into April, so you can decide to stay for longer and make the most of your season pass. You can expect good working hours during the holiday periods (Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year for example) with the quieter weeks for the ski school being mainly focused around training and courses and some part time work depending on scheduling.
Your work contract will run provisionally until the end of February, with extensions available if things are going well. If you wished to remain for the remainder of the season for work, you could expect March to be quiet on the work front, allowing you some time to enjoy Japan’s great powder conditions, with a busier period of work over the Easter holidays.
From day one in Niseko, you will be in staff accommodation with GoSnow either in Hirafu or Kutchan, where you can remain for the season. Staff accommodation is a centrally located hostel style accommodation which includes:
Niseko is well known as the hub of Japanese skiing, the mix of culture, incredible skiing, and amazing people make the resort town a must-see destination for skiers from across the globe. Japan snow seasons can last well into April, so you can decide to stay for longer and make the most of your season pass. Rates and locations may vary from time to time, and if they do we will endeavour to let you know at the earliest opportunity.
EA Ski & Snowboard want you to have the best season possible at Niseko. EA provides a program manager on the ground, who is easily contacted and there to offer advice and support at all times. Not only are they familiar with Niseko itself, but they will also be a familiar face to make your gap year and first winter season that much easier.
Our ski instructor course with Niseko GoSnow allows you to obtain the NSZIA (New Zealand Ski Instructors Alliance) certification, while the snowboard course runs alongside the APSI (Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors Inc) through their qualification system.
Australian trained Snowsport instructors have a strong reputation, both at home and abroad. While international recognition of their qualifications through the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA) contributes to employment opportunities for the future.
The NZSIA are a well-established, educational body that is internationally renowned for producing professional, knowledgeable instructors, with the capabilities to teach and ride at very high standards. They are both internationally recognised as a well-established, professional provider and has a reputation for high-quality and knowledge.
Both systems offer extremely well respected qualifications offering excellent future opportunities.
Remember that if you are taking a plus internship, the level 2 course fees are not included as not everyone chooses to sit these. The APSI Level two is split into two short modules while the NZSIA Level 1 is one longer course.
Serious about becoming a ski instructor? Train, qualify and work all in one season. Work in Canada, Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand or the USA.
Designed to fast track your instructor career. Train, qualify and work as a snowboard instructor all in one season. Work in Canada, Japan or New Zealand.
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