Basecamp delivers world class ski instructor courses around the World and together with our partners in Austria and Japan we are stoked to offer our awesome full season, dual-country Japan Ski Internship.
This course has everything – opportunities to learn and work in the ski instructor industry in one of the best ski areas on the planet! If you are looking for a ski season in Japan, look no further than this full winter internship train + work program, aimed at those looking to work as a snowsports instructor in Japan’s Best Ski Resorts – Niseko and Rusutsu. Our Japan Internship differs to most, in that it includes the opportunity to experience two amazing cultures and ski paradises in one season.
To kick things off, you will train towards the NZSIA Level 1 + Kids Teaching Certification in the first four weeks of your arrival in Kaprun – Zell am See, a glacier ski resort sitting at over 3,000m at the heart of the home of skiing, Austria. After successful completion of the exam, you will continue your adventure to Japan where you will begin to live the dream of a fully fledged Ski Instructor for the entire winter season in Niseko and Rusutsu.
On your days off you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings, be it waist deep in the freshest, fluffiest pow you’ve ever imagined or taking in the magical culture that Japan has to offer. You can also enjoy the fantastic night life and extra activities such as snowmobile tours, reindeer sledding, snow rafting, heli or cat skiing, snow shoeing or visit the snow monkeys bathing in the natural Onsen to name a few.
Spaces are extremely limited for this program and participants may need to complete a short interview in order to be accepted into the Japan Ski Internship and access our top quality ski instructor coaching program. Contact the Basecamp team today to find out more.
Course timeline
Here’s a guide to your course, broken down by key weeks in the calendar.
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Week 1-3
You'll arrive at Salzburg airport, where you'll be met by our team. Once you've been transported to our Kaprun accommodation and you've dropped your baggage off, you'll get a tour of the stunning town. Now the training begins! You'll have three weeks of intensive training to get you ready for your NZSIA Level 1 exam and Kids Cert.
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Week 4
In your fourth week, you’ll take your NZSIA exam and Kids Cert. You’ll be pleased to hear that we almost always have a 100% pass rate – but of course, this comes down to your hard work and dedication. Once you’ve passed this, you’re ready to be an instructor!
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Week 5
You will be transferred from Kaprun to Munich or Salzburg airport where you will fly to Rusutsu, Japan and spend a week on our Ski School Readiness Camp where you will be further trained in ski school procedures, resort orientation and additional ski coaching and teaching methods.
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Week 6
Join up with your ski school and get settled into life as an instructor. You will pick up your uniform, move into staff accommodation and get some on-boarding training by your new employer.
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Week 7-20+
Spend your season putting your new skills to the test as a qualified, paid ski instructor. When you're not teaching, spend your time waist deep in Ja-pow! Your exact end date at the ski school will be dependant on snow conditions and ski school bookings.
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Week 21+
After your season we highly recommend spending a few weeks travelling around Japan and soaking in some of the amazing places and culture it has to offer before heading home. It really is the adventure of a lifetime!
Available Courses
The essential details
Basecamp has a long-standing reputation as offering the best ski and snowboard instructor courses in Japan. We can also offer you a job at the end of your course thanks to our partnership with many ski schools. You’ll receive your instructor training and take your Level 1 exam before Christmas, and once you’ve passed, you’ll be able to work for the rest of the season at a top quality Japanese Ski School!
This course is exclusive and always in very high demand, so you need to snap up a spot quickly. You’ll get accommodation for the whole season* so that you can take advantage of everything Japan has to offer, too!
*Staff Accommodation from week 6 onwards will be an additional cost, usually deducted direct from your salary.
What's Included
Accommodation
You will be staying in a modern, clean and comfortable self-catered apartment with your new friends on the program. It gives a great seasonnaire experience as an instructor – one that you will hopefully go on to replicate for many years!
Best of all? It’s right in the centre of town! You will live completely among all the shops and bars for the ultimate seasonal experience – we are the closest of any other provider in town.
**Single supplements may be possible, subject to availability – an upgrade charge would apply. Images shown are an example of one of the apartments used during the Austria training phase and may not be your exact apartment.
The Job
Once you’ve completed your level 1 qualification, you’ll be contracted with the Lake Louise Ski School between December and April. The wage in Japan is fantastic for the industry, with past students reportedly earning approx. ¥230,000 – ¥350,000 per month!
The possibility of employment can only exist if the candidate has successfully completed the training program, passed the ski exams and completed all modules.
In order to be eligible for employment considerations after the completion of the program at the ski school, individuals must have the legal right to work in Japan or have a valid work visa / working holiday visa. Please refer to our Visa Guide for more details on the work permit you should apply for (if required).
If applicable, candidates looking for employment opportunities may be required to undergo an interview process for instructor positions with the Ski School.
Whilst extremely rare, should your attitude or ability be a cause of concern to the public, your colleagues or yourself, Basecamp reserves the right to withdraw any job offer. No refunds will be offered in such circumstances.
What You'll Need
- Qualify for a Japan Working Holiday Visa (IEC)
- Or, be a Japanese Citizen / Passport Holder
- Be an intermediate skier or stronger
- Be, athletic, outgoing and fun
- Have a good work ethic & communication skills
- It would be beneficial (but not essential) for Students to have previous experience working with children or adults in a coaching or teaching environment
- Customer service experience advantageous
FAQs
You’ll need to come equipped with a few essentials, including warm clothing and your own boots and skis. We offer exclusive deals with our Partner Program. Get in touch with us to find out more or get advice on the best equipment.
Because this course comes with guaranteed jobs, it’s exclusive and in high demand. That means we have a limit of 16 spaces on our Japan Internship.
You’ll be right in the heart of the town in our accommodation. This give you easy access to the nightlife and shopping. Your apartment will be self-catered and you’ll share with your fellow interns. Because sometimes, the best part of these experiences are the friends you make along the way!
If you’re looking to get qualified and immediately start working as an instructor, this is definitely the course for you! You’ll complete your Level 1 qualification within the first four weeks and get to work earning money. As long as you have a working holiday visa, you’re all set!
We ask that you can do parallel turns consistently and confidently on all greens, blues, reds runs. We expect that tough conditions slow you down and affect your technique. We expect you have done some easy, open off-piste and are starting to try carving on fast, open runs. Generally having 3–4+ weeks on snow prior to the course is enough, and the most important thing is a good attitude to improving and learning new skills!
The Level 1 isn’t too hard to pass as an entry level qualification. Participants will be assessed on their ability to perform and teach on the mountain. We get a 100% pass rate year in, year out. The Level 2 in a big step up from the Level 1; however, the training you receive prior to the exam puts you in an excellent position to pass. We usually see a 90% pass rate at Level 2 for those who opt for it in Japan.
The majority of people who do this course are solo travellers. There is a great Basecamp community in resort, and your Resort Manager will make sure you’re quickly introduced to everyone.
The money question! Hours depend on how busy the school is but can vary between 20–50 hours a week.
IN JAPAN, the ski schools pay really well compared to other resorts around the world, with our students reporting to earn between £1,400 and €2,250 per month (230,000 Yen – 375,000 Yen) also providing your lift pass and heavily subsidised accommodation and often meals too. The season in Japan is shorter, running mainly from December until March / April so you would normally be busy for the most part. Flights to Japan are not included in your course but can be picked up from as little as €400 return using our partner programme travel, easily made back up with the increased wages.
