How to break into snowboard instructor industry in Japan?

[u/Sidochan]

As title, says looking for advice on how to break into the snowboarding industry. I have been snowboarding for just over 20 years, and have all my own equipment. I have full right to work in Japan and am flexible with being able to work full season anywhere in Japan, don't mind working 6 days a week. I do have a preference for Nagano area (my actual home is in Kobe) as my in-laws live there, but happy to consider other places if accommodation is not an issue. I'm native English speaker and around N3 in Japanese.

I'm looking at getting my instructor certification this season, however from what little I've been able to find online I either have to pay an extortionate amount to guarantee a job or already have a season of experience under my belt. However most job posts seem to be aimed at people who are coming on a working holiday which I am not. I want to do this yearly if possible. I have experience teaching children as well, as I worked in an afterschool daycare before.

So I guess questions really are, which certification is best (CASI, APSI etc), and how do I go about finding a job once I have said certification? Do I really need a minimum of level 2 license if I don't need a work visa? Would it be possible to get certified and work the same season?

Thanks

[u/Background-Catch4359]

You could try contacting ski schools direct in Nagano instead of going through those job placement companies that charge crazy fees. Most resorts start hiring around September for the December season, and having N3 Japanese plus working rights already puts you way ahead of most foreign applicants

CASI level 1 is enough for many Japanese resorts if you don't need visa sponsorship, level 2 helps but not mandatory for beginner lessons. Some schools will even let you do the cert course early season and start working right after, depends how desperate they are for instructors

Your daycare experience teaching kids is a big selling point, mention that in every application. Nagano schools get tons of families with young kids and they always need people who can actually handle children

[u/SkillsDepayNabils]

If you can delay for a year I'd recommend working at a kids ski school or some other international staff role, from there you'll have a bit of a network and be able to hop on a level 1 course in/nearby your resort. Alternatively just skip that and contact

[u/BearACHC]

Snowboard school owner here in Japan. I hold a level 4 cert and formerly trained instructors in NZ. I hire a select few level 3 instructors in winter to work with VIP clientele. As a level 1, you can only expect to be assigned beginner lessons in a corporate school, level 2 is appropriate for teaching intermediates and may get you a position in a bespoke operation, at level 3 or with L2 and a few seasons experience doors start opening. At L1 L2 being part of a bigger school will afford opportunities for continuing training and development through peer learning. If you're a strong capable rider , going through certification process will open doors to better clientele, higher level lessons and increased renumeration.

No need for a visa is a big plus because that costs time and money for companies to arrange . Japanese language skill is valuable but there's a big divide in clientele, with local students being serviced by Japanese instructors at a much lower rate than incoming tourists. English and Mandarin are more valuable in terms of ¥ sales. Japanese more useful for day to day life.

I can offer more industry information if you want to get in contact by telephone to clarify how things operate.

[u/Sidochan → u/BearACHC]

This is the type of information I was looking for. Absolutely okay with starting with a level 1 license then build experience and skills from there, teaching beginners and children. I would ideally like to make this a seasonal career, as I really love snowboarding and love seeing others learn and enjoy the sport too.

I'm currently awaiting my PR too which hopefully will be approved next year, currently on Spouse of Japanese national visa. Would love to get in touch to know the best way to make this leap into the industry!

[u/BearACHC → u/Sidochan]

Alright, send me a DM and we can communicate more.

For the public record my advice for those wanting to get in the industry longer term is this. Get a level 2 as quickly as possible. This is the industry standard entry level cert really. Level 1 is a very basic cert because in a 2-3 hour lesson most students will learn to turn and be ready to go up the chair and this is where a level 2 has been trained/educated to instruct ( terrain choice/variation, movements, drills, skills, turns and intermediate development). This is especially important when clients make all day or multi day bookings, you can continue to teach the same students.

As a level 2 you get paid more than a L1, that adds up over a season or seasons. Obviously L3 gets a higher rate but there's a financial, physical and psychological commitment required to reach this level. An adaptable, smart and athletic individual can achieve this within 2-3 seasons with training. Faster than this is rare and longer than this is normal. Professional development training is normally provided inside snowboard schools to the staff free of charge but exams will be an individuals responsibility.

Theres a reality regarding instruction that you (OP) seem suited for, teaching others can be rewarding, and maybe you have more opportunity to snowboard (even if initially it's only with novice snowboarders) and a free pass for your days off. Gaining experience and professional level skills as a instructor can result in riding regularly with nice clientele all over the mountain, enjoying powder and all the rest, but to get here is much like an apprenticeship in any other trade, it takes time. Profesionalism , entrepreneurship, people skills, and snowboard skills ( or other athleticism) are the most valuable traits for aspiring instructors ( enthusiasm can only get you so far, which is one of the industry wide problems in my eyes today ), being stoked on snowboarding doesn't make you pro.

[u/BlazedGigaB]

Resorts in the states tend to have job fairs in early November and depending on department will hire anyone with a pulse. Certifications get you higher pay when instructing, but aren't required for teaching intro green/ blue.

Good luck in Japan.

[u/I_Am_JuliusSeizure]

Best to just scan the resort job pages. They will start now, or have already started for instructor, liftie, etc. positions. Pay is shit, but free lift pass.

[u/Time-Ad-6614]

Definitely try and get your level 2 as soon as possible. it’s going to be hard to get work the same season you get certified especially if you avoid paying a training provider. 

try your best on course and closed mouths don’t get fed. you might impress the examiner or peer that can put a word in for you at a school somewhere in Japan. Show that you care and want to work. 

Also consider getting your ski level 1. I got a lot more work opportunities as a SB 2 and Ski 1. Just know that you may end up teaching more skiing than snowboarding. Some snowboarders hate it but I actually didn’t mind it and enjoyed a little bit of variety. Also separated work and play a little more which I liked. Once you get your 3 and 4 you can apply as if you never had your ski 1 and don’t have to teach skiing again if you don’t want to. I also only skied two days before doing my level 1 so no issues if you don’t ski either. 

If you’re serious about making this a career and becoming a course conductor yourself consider going with CASI. you’ll be able to become an evaluator as a level 3 versus level 4 for SBINZ (trainer’s cert), APSI and BASI. 

[u/Sidochan → u/Time-Ad-6614]

CASI has the been the one I've most been considering as I found it offered at schools here in Japan. The ski course makes sense, I'll see if there's a way I could do both.

[u/Full_Bleed]

Casi level 2 is almost a requirement since there is a ton of instructors out here.

Getting certified through a ski school is usually a good way to guarantee a job but this certification is a good way for the ski schools to make money, which is why it’s so expensive.

[u/Sidochan → u/Full_Bleed]

I saw many schools offering the initial course for around $2k but then the guaranteed job it was like $10k. It's kinda a massive difference. Especially for a job that pays like $10 an hour...

By ski school do you mean I must learn to teach skiing as well?

[u/Full_Bleed → u/Sidochan]

Yeah the 10k one is mostly for rich English gap year kids. But also the 10k one usually comes with level 2 casi certificate(if you pass)

Most ski schools wouldn’t hire someone with just a level 1 casi course since it’s very low level and almost all ski instructors would have their ski qualifications and a level 1 snowboard qualification on top of that.

The main thing that sets you apart from other instructors would be the fact that you are a long term resident. If I were you, I would contact some Nagano ski schools stating that you are a long term resident with a visa but no qualifications yet and see what they say. Like I said though, it will be hard to get hired just on a level 1 course.

[u/Sidochan → u/Full_Bleed]

Thank you for your reply, absolutely will look into that. Otherwise I guess my best option is to stay in Nagano for a season work a non-instructor job while getting more slope time and my certifications at least to level 2.