HOKKAIDO · RUSUTSU · SAPPORO · OTARU
Private Ski Lessons in Hokkaido, in Mandarin, Cantonese and English
Ski Together. Better Together.
Ski or snowboard with your own certified instructor in Rusutsu, Sapporo Teine, Sapporo Kokusai and Otaru ONZE. One instructor. Your group only.
7
certified instructors
3
languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, English
1–6
people per instructor
4+
age kids can start
WHY YUKITOMO
A ski school that speaks your language
YUKITOMO is a ski school registered in Hokkaido, Japan (雪友株式会社). “Yukitomo” means “snow friends” in Japanese. We teach safety first, and your group never shares an instructor with strangers.
Certified instructors
CASI, CSIA, ISIA, SBINZ and JSBA qualifications. Some also hold avalanche (AST) and first-aid (EMT) certificates.
Your group only
1–6 people, one instructor, one price per group. We suggest 4 or fewer.
Mandarin, Cantonese, English
Mixed groups are fine. Tell us who is coming and we match the instructor.
Your Local Ski Experts
Based in Rusutsu and Sapporo, our instructors tailor lessons to snow conditions and skill levels for a safe, enjoyable experience.
LESSONS
Which lesson fits you?
Ski or snowboard, first day or fifth season. Not sure? Tell us your group size and level and we will suggest one.
First timers
Never skied, or still can’t stop? We start with putting on your boots. Goal: stand, slow down, stop and ride the lift on your own.
We suggest 2 full days
Kids
Learning through games, with breaks and photos. From age 8, kids can share a lesson with a sibling at the same level.
From age 4 · ages 4–7 one-on-one
Families
Everyone learns at their own level. We split your family into groups, one instructor each, same time and place. Ski and snowboard can mix.
One booking for the whole family
Level up
Carving, flatland tricks, powder, trees, moguls and steeps. We work on the exact thing holding you back.
Best for 1–2 people · choose your instructor
RESORTS
Four resorts. Which one?
Staying in Sapporo for a day or two? Pick Teine, Kokusai or ONZE. Staying at the resort for several days? Pick Rusutsu. Prices are the same at all four. One resort per day.
| Resort | Best for | From Sapporo by car | Lessons | Our season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rusutsu | Staying at the resort, several days, trees and powder | About 90 min | Full day, half day, night | Until 31 Mar 2027 |
| Sapporo Teine | Day trips from Sapporo, city views | About 30 min | Full day; night as an add-on | Until 1 May 2027 |
| Sapporo Kokusai | Powder, staying in Jozankei, spring skiing | About 60 min | Full day only | Until 5 May 2027 |
| Snow Cruise ONZE (Otaru) | Beginners, young kids, sea views | About 40 min | Full day; night as an add-on | Until 28 Mar 2027 |
INSTRUCTORS BASED HERE
Rusutsu
37 runs across three mountains. Beginners start on West Mountain; stronger riders head to Mt. Isola.
INSTRUCTORS BASED HERE
Sapporo Teine
Venue of the 1972 Sapporo Olympics. The Olympia zone is wide and gentle, with views over the city.
INSTRUCTOR SENT WHEN YOU BOOK
Sapporo Kokusai
Above Jozankei hot springs. The summit is 1,100 m, so the snow stays dry and light, often into May.
INSTRUCTOR SENT WHEN YOU BOOK
Snow Cruise ONZE
The summit looks over Ishikari Bay, so you ski down facing the sea. Almost half the runs are for beginners.
INSTRUCTORS
Meet the team
Seven instructors based in Rusutsu and Sapporo. You can request one when you book.
Take En (Endo) · Head Instructor
ISIA Card/Stamp, SIA Stage 3 (Ski & SB),
NZSIA Active
Japanese · English · 30 seasons teaching
Eaxon
CASI L2, CSIA L1
Mandarin · English · carving, flatland tricks
Chiao
CASI L2, CSIA L1, JSBA L1, AST1, EMT-1
Mandarin · beginners and kids
Keneth
CASI L1, CSIA L1
Mandarin · English · beginners and families
Wai
CASI L2, CASI Park L1, CSIA L1, SBINZ L2,
SBINZ Children’s, AST 1
Mandarin · Cantonese · English · kids, park
Matt
CASI L2, CSIA L1, SBINZ L1
Mandarin · 6 seasons, 1,600+ hours
Dixon · Photographer and guide
CASI L2, AST 1
Mandarin · Cantonese · English · photo, off-piste
Want a specific instructor?
Tell us who you’d like when you message us. We’ll check their dates.
PRICES
2026/27 prices, per group
You pay per group, not per person. The price depends on group size and season. Same price at all four resorts. All prices in Japanese yen.
| Group size | Peak · 11 Dec – 3 Mar | Regular · all other dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full day | Half day or night | Full day | Half day or night | |
| 1–2 people | ¥100,000 | ¥60,000 | ¥80,000 | ¥50,000 |
| 3–4 people | ¥110,000 | ¥70,000 | ¥90,000 | ¥60,000 |
| 5–6 people | ¥120,000 | ¥80,000 | ¥100,000 | ¥70,000 |
- Full day: 6 hours from 9:00 or 9:30, with a 1-hour lunch break (about 5 hours on snow).
- Half day: 9:00–12:00 or 13:00–16:00. Night: 16:00–19:00.
- Half day and night on their own: Rusutsu only. In Teine and ONZE, night can be added to a full day.
- More than 6 people? Message us for a quote.
Included: your instructor, a level check before the lesson, tips after, photos on request.
Not included: lift tickets, rental, clothing, insurance, transport and accommodation.
Last updated October 2026
We can also arrange
Ask when you book your lesson. One message, one contact, and you arrive ready to ski.
Places to stay
Our own lodge near Rusutsu (with a lesson booking), and partner villas in Niseko such as White Villas and Yotei Vista.
Private transfers
New Chitose Airport or Sapporo to the resorts, door to door, with room for your gear.
Rentals
Skis, boards, boots and clothing reserved ahead and ready to pick up at the resort.
How to book
01
Send your details
Dates, resort, group size and ages, ski or snowboard, and level. Book at least 3 days ahead.
02
Get your quote
We reply with your instructor and price, and send a payment link.
03
Pay and you’re set
Pay by card in yen. Before your trip you get the meeting point and your instructor’s contact.
Cancellation. Regular season: 30+ days before, 80% credit or 60% refund; 15–29 days, 60% credit or 30% refund; within 14 days, no refund. Peak season: no refunds or changes for personal reasons.
What students say
Translated from Chinese.
My first time skiing. In one day I had the basics and finished several practice runs safely. She also told me what to practise at home.
Evans · First timer, one-on-one · with Chiao
She kept us updated on where the kids were and how they were doing, and took photos and videos, so we always knew how they were getting on.
T3 · Kids lesson · with Chiao
We both made real progress in three days. My wife finally finished a green run with a smile, and I started to feel parallel turns.
Tiy · Private lessons, 3 days
FAQ
Questions
No. Several of our instructors teach in English. Mixed groups of English and Chinese speakers are fine.
Yes. Wai and Dixon speak Cantonese. Ask for them when you book.
Two full days. Most people can control their speed and stop after day 1, and ride green runs on their own after day 2.
Age 4, for ski and snowboard. Ages 4–7 learn one-on-one.
No. You buy them at the resort or online. We’ll tell you which ticket you need.
Lessons start at the resort. If you need a ride, we can book a private transfer for you.
At least 3 days before. Peak season fills early, and many students book about 3 months ahead.
Tell us your dates. We’ll find your instructor.
Send your dates, group size, level and resort. We usually reply within a day.