What it's really like to work a ski season in Japan

Hey i'm Sophie from Melbourne Australia and i'm becoming a bit of a regular when it comes to working holiday visas (hello two summers at camp in the USA).

I decided on working a ski season in Japan as a different way to fill my uni summer break, to see the famous 'Japow', have fun, eat mochi and refuse a boring full-time job at home. Being one month down now working as a Guest Experience Coordinator in Niseko, here's what i've learned so far.

1. Pre-arranging a job and starting life in Japan

If you’re planning to come for the season, pre-arranging a job is something I cannot recommend enough. Coming through JENZA took the stress away from moving to a new country - I came to Japan knowing I had a visa, a job, a house to live in, help setting up my life and just general support during my whole time here. Getting a job through JENZA also made things easier as I had no idea where to go in Japan, what ski resort was the best and all that kind of stuff. So focusing on Niseko, Rusutsu, Furano and Hakuba made it very easy. I got to research each place and pick jobs that suited me best.

Also, the employers were great at helping me set up my life out here. They provided guidance on registering your residence, setting up your bank account, health insurance, pension, all of it! That’s not to say you wouldn’t survive without a pre-arranged job. But, especially at the start of the season, most places are fully loaded with staff and you’d have to wait until the season gets in the hope that places open up.

2. The wholesome community

The community vibe of working a ski season is truly unmatched. Living in a small ski town in the depths of Hokkaido in Japan is something I never thought I’d be doing just a year ago. So to be here, living in a house of 15 people from all over the world, on a road full of like-minded seasonal workers and working with new best friends is SO FUN! For me, it feels like there are three layers of people to connect with. My first circle are my housemates, neighbours and workmates. The second circle are the other seasonal workers at my job who I did all my training with and see all the time too. Then the third circle are all the other seasonal workers, the ones I see out and about and start to recognise and become friends with as time goes on.

The vibes are always high and you can guarantee that no matter where you are, what you’re doing, you’ll always find some friends to hang out and hit the slopes with! Getting to walk around the streets constantly waving at all your friends as you’re going about your day makes me so sappy and happy. It’s scary to think that these people are just a seasonal family. After just a month, I feel like I’ve known them for years - so wholesome!

3. Money in vs money out

When coming to Japan, I wasn’t sure how much money I’d need and how much money I’d be making. I knew my hourly rate, but not all the other deductions (like tax, etc) and bonus (job dependent) I’d be dealing with. When it comes to the necessities like sim cards, health insurance, rent and food they are all a lot lower than home (Australia), which makes life more affordable in Japan.

For me, my job came with staff accommodation, most ski season jobs will offer this and the rent you have to pay will depend on the company you are working for. When it comes to food, buying groceries and cooking is cheaper (depending on what you buy) and often healthier. Buying from a convenience store or going out will generally be more expensive and ‘unhealthier’ depending on what you choose. However, where I am in Niseko, it’s more expensive because it’s a ski town and people will pay the price for the convenience rather than take a trip to the grocery store and cook.

4. Being a beginner in the snow is ok

Coming into this, everyone I told I was working a ski season in Japan were like “you’ve never seen snow, how are you going to teach people to ski?”. And they’re not wrong, I’m 21 and (like a lot of Aussies) I’d never seen the snow until I came here. But that’s ok, a lot of the jobs don’t involve you being on the snow anyway.

Learning to snowboard when it felt like EVERYONE already knew what they were doing was quite daunting at the start. However, if you go into it with a can-do attitude and for the experience of it all, it’s so much fun. There are some of us scattered around that are brand new to snow, brand new to skiing and snowboarding and all the snow has to offer. Adjusting to life in the snow is quite easy when you get lots of tips off all the people who are regular snow-goers.

Being a seasonal worker, we get heaps of benefits with local businesses which is super handy when you’re a learner. I took two snowboard lessons in the first two weeks of the season for ¥5,000 (AUD$50) altogether. This was a bargain, and those lessons got me the confidence to get going on the slopes solo. A month in and I am easily riding with more experienced snowboarders. As well as this, so many people you meet on the mountains will help you out. Talking to people on the lifts and doing a run or two with them – you’ll be headed for the winter Olympics in no time!

5. Time flies so make the most of every day

When I initially arrived in Japan, I thought "Woah I have the whole season ahead of me" so it felt like ages. But let me tell you, once the snow falls and the season starts, days feel like weeks and weeks also feel like days.

I’m just a month in and it’s flying by! Making the most of every day is super important to have the best possible time, but this can look different for everyone. For some, it could be first lift until last lift cruising the slopes. For others, it’s sleeping in before heading to work, and allowing yourself a more restful day so you can hit the slopes at your best tomorrow. Whatever it may be, make sure you’re focusing on your own enjoyment of the experience.

Don’t get me wrong, when you have work (sometimes) it sucks, purely because you might miss mornings with fresh powder and some of the best conditions to hit the slopes. But I promise you, it’s all okay, there will be more days of fresh powder and awesome slopes days!

6. However, allow yourself a rest day

I know this kind of contradicts my first point, but don’t be afraid of taking it easy. Sometimes working 7am-3pm, hitting the slopes from 3pm-7pm, and then going out after that gets tiring. So don’t be afraid of missing the first lifts sometimes or going to bed early. It will save you from burning out and becoming exhausted. Trust me, you’d rather have less days on the slopes and they all be amazing days, than go every single day and be half asleep for most. Looking after yourself should be number one and don’t be afraid to say no to things (ignore FOMO).

Want to experience the JAPOW for yourself? JENZA Work Japan includes visa help, 5 nights in Tokyo to sort all the work essentials and permits, and a pre-arranged ski season job – usually with subsidised staff accommodation. Find out more.