The team that started Peak Season have lived and breathed the snow industry since the early 2000’s. They have trained and examined countless people in Australia and Japan and know the industry inside and out. This expertise will be passed on to you during your apprenticeship, meaning you will have a huge head start into the ski and snowboard industry with the knowledge, connections and experience you will gain from Peak Season.
We specifically cater to the Australian market and will be right there supporting your career after you finish the apprenticeship in Japan by helping you secure instructor work in the Australian snow resorts. We also offer all your training and exam fees for level 1 and 2 in your preferred discipline as well as level 1 in your secondary discipline. This will open the door for you at countless snow resorts around the world.
To make sure you are getting the most snow for your dollar we run our program over 4 months and are also offering a full 5-month accommodation package. After you finish your apprenticeship, you can stay in Niseko and continue to work, or you could use that time to get as many laps as possible with the lifts spinning until early May.
All you need to do is get yourself to New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) with your ski or snowboard equipment, your favourite winter clothes, travel insurance for your whole duration, and a big smile. We will take care of the rest! There will be no hidden charges or surprises during your apprenticeship with Peak Season.
Hokkaido, the north island of Japan, is a winter wonderland renowned for its heavy snowfall and world-class winter sports. Its pristine powder snow draws skiers and snowboarders from around the globe to Niseko United. Niseko, stands out as a premier destination for winter sports. Known for its incredible 15m average snowfall, Niseko comprises of four interconnected resorts: Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, and Annupuri, boasting an impressive 2800 acres of terrain. The area also features delicious local cuisine, vibrant après-ski activities, and natural hot springs, known as onsens, perfect for relaxation after a day on the hill. Nearby Kutchan serves as the gateway to Niseko, offering additional amenities such as restaurants, shops, and cultural experiences so you can immerse yourself into the Japanese culture. Overall, this section of Hokkaido will be the perfect place for your snow apprenticeship and leave you with an unforgettable winter, some great new skills, and certifications, but mostly, some of the best snow in the world!
5 months accommodation (the resort opens until May)
Niseko United lift pass, plus discounts at other resorts around Hokkaido
4 month apprenticeship program (Dec-March)
Over 200 hours of training
Level 1, level 2 training, and exam costs for your preferred discipline (ski or snowboard)
Level 1 training and exam plus rental hire for your second discipline* (optional)
Avalanche safety training certificate
Freestyle sessions
Powder sessions
Staff team building events
Photo and video packages
Welcome pack and Peak Season merchandise
eSIM card
Return airport transfers (New Chitose (Sapporo) – Niseko)
Guaranteed job offer with competitive pay rates (plus return client incentives)
Work uniform
Job networking and opportunities with the major Australian resorts
Discount ski and snowboard equipment from leading brands
Equipment purchase advice
Visa consultation and application assistance
Inhouse travel agent to assist with booking flights and travel insurance
One of your trainers will greet you at New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) and whisk you off to Niseko to begin your 4-month apprenticeship with Peak Season. We will be hosting a welcome dinner once all the team arrives to meet your new colleagues and house mates for the season. Your first few days will include an orientation of the local area, your accommodation, and a chance to do some shopping.
The following 2 weeks you will jump straight into your avalanche safety training certification, your level 1 training, and the assessment. Once you are level 1 certified you will complete your orientation with SAS Niseko where you will get the chance to shadow a lesson with a career instructor before starting your first paid work block as an instructor over the Christmas – New Year holidays. During the holidays you will also be able to train for your second discipline during the night training sessions.
The Level 2 training block will begin after the holidays, Followed by another work block during Chinese New Year. You will have another 3 weeks of training before your level 2 exam early march. Once you have finished your exam we will throw, an end of season get together celebrate your hard work during the apprenticeship.
At this stage you can continue to work and ride until the season end (early May) and sit your second discipline assessment. The accommodation is free to use until the end of winter so you can get the most snow for your dollar.
You will be living in Kutchan, which is less than a 15 minute drive to Hirafu Gondola. The accommodation will be a traditional Japanese house shared with your work colleages, rooms are generally 2 person. All rent and utilities will be covered for the duration of your training, you will also have the option to stay for an extra month after your apprenticeship finishes at the end of March.
At Peak Season we have teamed up with the Australian Professional Snowsports Instructors (APSI) to provide you with some of the best trainers in the world. All APSI certifications are globally recognised instructing certifications. Each of our apprenticeship trainers are also examiners for the APSI so know how to help you be the best prepared for your exams as possible.
Oscar Alston
Level 4 Trainer Examiner
Oscar has been a trainer examiner for the APSI since 2015, he works as the Head Coach for the Turn and Burn/Thredbo Mountain Academy Snowboard Cross team and has represented Australia in the National Demo Team. Currently acting as Chief of Exams for the he is an expert in understanding what it takes to be a successful APSI candidate.
Adam Federico
Level 4 Trainer Examiner
With a career spanning two decades, Adam has been a dedicated snowboard instructor since 2004, primarily based at Perisher Resort in Australia. Adam’s passion for teaching led him to start training instructors in 2007. He served as the Snowboard Technical Director and National Training Coordinator for the Australian Professional Snowsports Instructors (APSI) for six years, he also had the honour of being the National Demonstration Team Snowboard Coach, leading teams for two Interski events.
In addition to Adam’s roles with the APSI, he has contributed to the snowboarding community by sitting on the Snow Australia Snowboard Committee, where he helped shape the pathway for snowboard coaching in Australia. Adam’s expertise extends internationally, with extensive experience working in the United States and Japan during the northern hemisphere winters.
Lets get to know each other better, fill out the form and we will be in contact.
