Working at Japanese Snow Resorts

Over the years we have had many people write in to us at Snow Japan asking about working at Japanese resorts - what is available and how to go about finding work.  Often we are unable to help out as there really is no one way to get into working at resorts in Japan, and it is often a case of knowing people or being lucky more than anything else.   

We wanted to get some feedback from some operators in popular snow resort regions that employ non-Japanese and so we recently asked them about their thoughts on the subject.  On this page you'll find their responses.

Do you take on new (foreign) employees each season?
Yes, we often have a turnover of new employees each season because of visa complications.

What kind of positions are open at your company?
We hire ski and snowboard instructors, back country guides, snow shoe and cross country ski guides, child care minders and office staff for the winter. In the summer we hire guides for canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, climbing, hiking and other summer outdoor activities.

What qualifications are needed (for different positions)?
We expect our staff to be somewhat bilingual, to have certification for the areas that they will be working in, ie. ski instruction certification etc., first aid qualifications, people skills and past experience.

What kind of people are you looking for?
Well rounded, good with people and children, as well as having the required qualifications.

What sort of deal are employees offered?
Free skiing, free onsen, cheap lodging, lunches, discounts at local businesses and reasonable pay in a fun atmosphere. Obviously people will also increase their skills and expertise in this area of business.

Employment at Ski Resorts & Other companies in your area
The ski resorts in Hakuba have tried to employ foreigners but there has not been great success with this. The reason being that it is not easy to break down cultural barriers for both parties and there would seem to be little respect for each other. If someone has reasonable Japanese language skills, cultural understanding and an open mind it makes it easier to get these jobs.

What sort of work is available on the hills?
Some work snow-making, ski patrol or instructing, but most find themselves in less technical jobs such as room cleaning, serving in restaurants and reservations.

What’s the best way to approach resorts if you want a job there?
Have a solid resume in Japanese, a good attitude, good Japanese language skills, a visa and a limber neck for all of the bowing you will need to do.

Any general advice for people who want to get general jobs at resort areas?
Be ready to be paid peanuts, work long hours, and bite your tongue lots.

Any general advice for people who want to get jobs teaching skiing/snowboarding?
Get lots of experience, get certified, get first aid qualifications and be friendly and genuine.

Anything else to add?
Visas are hard to get for ski instructing and outdoor guiding. One must have many years of work experience in this field with letters of reference from previous employers. You must have a presentable resume in English and Japanese with originals of all certifications, school diplomas and degrees. You will need to put time and cash into courses, certifications, personal experience and start by volunteering or working for next to nothing at these jobs.

Tell us a bit about your operation.
We operate a tour company called SkiJapan.com that specializes in winter tours and activities for foreigners visiting Hokkaido.

Are your employees Japanese or foreigners?
We employ both Japanese and foreigners, but most of our staff are foreigners.

Do you take on new (foreign) employees each season?
Yes, as our company is growing and the nature of the work available being seasonal, we tend to employ new people each season.  Our company also employs full time staff through the summer in the reservations field.

What kind of positions are open at your company?
There are quite a diverse range of positions available, guides, instructors, office staff, drivers, resort reps, lodge staff, babysitters, general hands.  Our company also has a property development and property management division and we offer year round jobs in marketing, graphic design and general operations to bi-lingual staff who hold working visas.

What kind of people are you looking for?
We are looking for energetic people with an interest in working in the customer service industry.   We are also interested in employing Japanese who speak English well.  The people we employ need to be patient and be happy to answer the same question up to a hundred times a day with the same enthusiasm every time!

What sort of deal are employees offered?
A competitive salary, season pass, accommodation and equipment (skis or board) is supplied for the season.

Employment at Ski Resorts & Other companies in your area:
Many of the hotels and pensiones are now beginning to employ more English speaking staff.  In addition to our company there would be about 150 other foreigners working on the mountain in various positions working in pensiones, hotels, lodges and general work like cleaning or showshovelling. There are also a few independent ski schools that offer instructing jobs.

Most people either know someone or arrange their work through sheer persistence. Its not easy to get a job here unless you speak the language well. Jobs are not widely advertised.

What sort of work are they doing on the hills?
Mostly hospitality type work, hotel reception, instructors, cleaning, lodge staff.

What’s the best way to approach resorts if you want a job there?
It's all about being here in the resort looking for work. It's easier if you get to know the local people and communicate in person with them. We do not guarantee employment unless we get to meet candidates for jobs. We recruit quite actively in Australia and within Japan. Most of our employees come from either of these countries. If you are unable to come up to Hokkaido for an interview, best bet is to send a professional resume with photos . Having the resume translated into Japanese will help.

General Advice:

Any general advice for people who want to get general jobs at resort areas?
Be professional, research the job and the area. Learn some Japanese.

Any general advice for people who want to get jobs teaching skiing/snowboarding?
If you plan to work , don’t expect to be skiing powder every day! When its busy here, you have to take what you can get - this means accepting less snow time than the skibums who are not working and living off their savings!

If you arrive with lower expectations you might save some money, learn a lot about the culture and meet new people, but still get a lot of great powder skiing - remember the lifts are open 12 hours a day!

Anything else to add?
If under 30 its possible for some nationalities to achieve a working holiday visa for Japan. If over 30 it’s a lot more difficult but possible to have a company sponsor employee for a work visa. It’s a great place to work and live - you may never leave!

If you do not like cold weather don’t come here, some people get ‘cabin fever’ as the sun rarely shines - it just won't stop snowing. It’s a small town where everyone knows what everyone else is doing.

We really need more ski instructors that are able to work on a casual basis, ie. work every day when we are busy and then when we have no customers have days off to go skiing/snowboarding - ideal for people who want to ski or snowboard a lot!

For office work someone needs to be fluent in both Japanese and English and we prefer people who also have experience driving on snow. Good office workers should have be able to have work all year round in Niseko (as we are very busy in summer as well as winter and actually employ more staff in summer than in winter.)

I believe that some restaurants hotels and pensions do employ foreigners to help speaking English but it is best to be reasonably fluent and culturally-aware and experienced working with Japanese.

Up until now, people either came in November and presented themselves well with their Japanese ability or they were introduced by someone. The responsibility of the person introducing someone else is very onerous as they are to some extent responsible for that persons actions - so if you are introduced to a job and you cause any sort of trouble (even if you feel it to be no fault of your own) then you will also cause the person who introduced you to loose face. If you want to leave before completing the contract then you will also cause the person who introduced you to loose face.

My advice is to get a contract in English and Japanese that clearly states pay and conditions and what is expected.  Contracts ensure there is less chance of any misunderstandings occurring.

Snow Japan is unfortunately unable to answer specific questions about employment at snow resorts and hotels.   The best advice we can give is for you to see what the operators above have to say about the situation, form your own ideas and plans and then go about directly contacting people who might be able to help.  And of course we wish you the best luck.

(We'd also be very interested to hear of any experiences and stories that you might have had working at Japanese resorts - send any mails to the usual address, editor@snowjapan.com).

If you wish to contact any of the companies that we spoke to in the above interviews, here are their contact details: