Hakuba Ski & Snowboard Lessons

Rates checked against each school's published prices on 28 August 2026. None include a lift pass or equipment hire.

All group lessons run at Iimori, Goryu’s gentlest learning area, while private lessons can explore other resorts. Groups are limited to eight and cover levels one to five; level six is private only. Skiers can start at three, snowboarders at five, and adult groups are for ages 13+.

Private lessons cost the same for one to five people: ¥70,000 for a full day at Iimori, Goryu or Hakuba 47, and ¥90,000 at Iwatake, Tsugaike, Cortina or Happo. Happo is advanced-only. Other options range from ¥30,000 for two hours or early bird to ¥50,000 for four hours. Half-days are ¥40,000, as are night lessons from Escal Plaza.

Group lessons cost ¥15,000 for a full day or ¥10,000 for the morning. Most private lessons include pick-up, with drop-off after afternoon and full-day sessions.

Pay on arrival by cash or card; cards carry a 3% fee. Group guests should arrive 45 minutes early. Bookings open 1 September 2026, with full operations from 12 December.

This private-only Hakuba 47 school is run by Nadine Robb, who has taught in the area for 15 seasons. There are no group lessons.

Meet at the Mountain runs from 09:30 to 15:30 at Hakuba 47 and costs ¥80,000 for up to five guests. You’ll need to make your own way to the gondola base.

Signature lessons include chalet pick-up, your choice of resort and lift-line priority. Prices are ¥110,000 for six and a half hours or ¥65,000 for three hours, for up to five guests. Five-day packages cost ¥520,000 for Signature or ¥340,000 for Meet at the Mountain, spread across six days to allow for a rest day.

Signature lessons are available at Goryu, Hakuba 47, Iwatake, Tsugaike, Norikura and Cortina. The school can also help with rentals and lift passes, or arrange off-piste guiding through Northern Heights Guiding.

Evergreen is the valley’s largest English-language ski school and Happo-One’s listed international school. Its base, with a café and kids’ centre, is 100m from the Kokusai chairlift.

Private lessons run from 5 December 2026 to 28 March 2027 at Happo-One, Tsugaike, Iwatake, Cortina and Kashimayari. Groups can include up to five people aged three or older. Six hours costs ¥79,000 for one to three guests or ¥89,000 for four or five. Four hours costs ¥56,000 or ¥65,000. Platinum lessons include a dedicated vehicle and flexible start for ¥110,000 or ¥125,000.

Adult groups run at Happo-One from 19 December to 14 March. Tsugaike groups finish on 28 February and offer skiing only, without advanced levels.

Hakuba Heroes welcomes ages 7–14, while Yeti Club at Happo-One is for ages 3–6. Five, six and seven Heroes days cost ¥81,000, ¥94,000 and ¥107,000. Nothing runs on New Year’s Day.

Happo-One’s own school has three bases: Nakiyama, Usagidaira and Sakka. Group lessons are taught in Japanese, although English may be requested for private lessons. For English-language group lessons, try Evergreen.

Certified instructors for three or six hours, with van transport from and to your accommodation included in the price — one of the few schools where transport is standard rather than an upgrade. Up to five people per session, and similar ages and abilities are strongly advised. Multi-day bookings mix a signature resort with other resorts across the valley.

Book early if you want a particular instructor. NBS requires participants to hold suitable snow sports travel insurance.

This Japanese-run school caters to international guests from the Hakuba 47 School Centre, opposite the bus stops. Lessons are in English, with several other languages available.

Group lessons start from age four and cost ¥10,000 for a half day or ¥18,000 for a full day. Private lessons start at ¥25,000 for two hours and rise by ¥10,000 per extra hour, up to ¥65,000 for six hours. Prices include two people, with each additional guest costing ¥4,000. Larger groups and lessons at other resorts cost extra.

Intermediate and advanced riders can also book tree-riding sessions in Hakuba 47’s members-only areas, starting at ¥25,000 for two hours. Lesson guests receive discounted rental equipment.

Frontier is an international school based at Norikura, with lessons also available at neighbouring Cortina. Both resorts share a lift pass. Instructors are internationally qualified and teach in English, with several other languages available. Equipment is included with lessons.