How I Got a Ski Instructor Job in Japan (Even Without Speaking Japanese)

If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about doing a ski season in Japan — or just getting qualified as a ski instructor in general.

As someone who’s done multiple seasons in Canada and spent a winter teaching in Japan, I wanted to create a quick step-by-step guide to help you get a ski instructor job in Japan.

It’s honestly easier than you think.

Qualifications

Most internationally recognized ski qualifications are accepted in Japan — CSIA (Canada), BASI (UK), etc.

And even if you don’t have any qualifications yet, some resorts may still have opportunities within the ski school (especially working with kids or in rental/support roles). But ideally, you’ll want to have Level 1 or Level 2 to work as an instructor.

If you’re just getting started, check out beginner courses in your country or even do a gap year instructor course — Canada, Austria, or Japan all have solid options.

How to Find Ski Schools and Apply

The most important step? Actually applying.

Start by researching ski schools in your preferred area — usually Nagano or Hokkaido. Once you find a few that look good, create a tailored CV and cover letter, and just email them directly. That’s how I landed my job.

I recommend starting the process as early as May, as visas take time to process. You may need to do one or two interviews via Zoom.

Also: don’t sleep on Facebook groups for ski jobs — lots of resorts post there too.

Visa Process

I was lucky enough to get a sponsored visa directly through my employer in Japan. They handled most of the paperwork — I just had to visit the embassy, pay around £16, and boom — passport stamped, ready to go.

Most people will go the Working Holiday Visa route, which is also fine — just make sure you apply early and get the documents right. If you’re unsure, I’d recommend getting help or even asking the ski school if they provide support.

What to Expect (Day in the Life)

Every resort is different.

I was based in Shiga Kogen, a more rural area of Japan — and I honestly loved it. It wasn’t super Westernised, so I really got to experience Japanese culture.

A typical day:

7am team meeting
Get assigned lessons (or be on standby)
If no lessons, I’d help out in rentals or assist guests
Days off? Explore the area, ski for fun, or chill in the onsen

In bigger resorts like Hakuba or Niseko, the vibe is more social and party-heavy. So it really depends what you’re after.

Tip: Learn some basic Japanese if you’re heading somewhere rural. It makes life way easier.

What to Pack

Bring your usual ski gear — thermals, helmet, boots, goggles. Try to arrive with everything you need, as buying gear in Japan can be pricey.

Also, don’t forget essentials:

Sunscreen
Toothpaste (bring backup)
Don’t bring shower gel — most accommodations provide it
And most importantly: get data on your phone

I used Saily eSIM the whole season. It cost around $20/month, worked flawlessly, and saved me a ton of hassle. You can install it before you land so your phone works the second you arrive.

If you want to stay secure while using public Wi-Fi in Japan (which is super common), I’d also recommend grabbing NordVPN.
It’ll protect your data, let you stream content from your home country, and even help you book flights/hotels cheaper by switching your location.

I’ve got a full VPN Travel Cheat Sheet that breaks this all down if your interested and want to save a few extra $$$.

Flights and Arrival Tips

It doesn’t matter too much whether you fly into Haneda or Narita — both are good. I stayed in Tokyo for a night before taking the bus to the mountains, and it was a great way to reset after the flight.

For flights and hotels, I always use Trip.com — it’s affordable, reliable, and you get cashback points.

Make sure to:

Have data when you land (again — Saily is a lifesaver)
Download the Suica App — it works for public transport, vending machines, and even convenience stores
Have Google Translate and Google Maps ready to go