Snowsports Positions

 School Groups Ski Instructor - Available at Minakami Only

Being a part of our School groups team means you will be based in Minakami and have the chance to ride and teach at the many mountain ranges close by. You will work with children from the ages of 10 - 18. The role will not only involve teaching Skiing or Snowboarding but also sometimes participating in the evening entertainment. Our School group instructors are full of energy, safety focused and ready to entertain our most demanding clients. Our school groups run from early January - mid March, sometimes there are opportunities to work for other Canyons resorts beforehand.

Required Qualifications

• Industry-recognised Snowsports Certification. Any level of certification will be considered.

• Experience in kid’s teaching environments is preferred but not necessary.

• First Aid Certification

 Infants Team Ski Instructor - Available at Nozawa Only

At Nozawa, we offer infant ski lessons for 4-6-year-olds. Our infants team instructors are full of energy, safety focused and ready to entertain our most demanding clients. Experience in early care education or similar kid’s teaching environments is preferred but not necessary. This role provides a highly competitive hourly rate and consistent work hours throughout the season. Have a chance to be the first memory for kids as they learn to ski - something that will stay with them forever! Don't forget the deep powder days and beautiful village that comes with the job.

Required Qualifications

• Industry-recognised Snowsports Certification. Any level of certification will be considered.

• First Aid Certification

Snowsports Instructor & Trainer - Available at all resorts

Description - This description is an extension to the snowsports instructor description and includes all of the responsibilities of the snowsports instructor role.

At Canyons the quality of training provided is of primary importance. Our trainers are instructors of the highest standard, with diverse coaching backgrounds, allowing them to provide a structured and informed training environment for our staff throughout the season. Snowsports trainers take on a mix of delivering high-quality lessons to our clients as well as providing training sessions for our staff that meet their wants and needs, as well as the demands of our school.

Required Qualifications

• Industry Recognised L3 or higher (ISIA equivalent) Snowsports Instructor Certification

• First Aid Certification

Backcountry Guide - Available at all resorts

We are seeking an experienced and safety-focused Backcountry Guide to lead ski and snowboard tours in the backcountry terrain around the Nagano area. The guide will be responsible for providing exceptional client experiences, managing group dynamics, and ensuring safe travel in avalanche-prone terrain.

Core responsibilities include route planning, risk assessment, client communication, and leading guests on memorable and educational backcountry adventures. The guide will also assist in refining backcountry operations and maintaining high standards of safety and professionalism. They will also take part in setting up and explaining the BC rental gear to guests.

This position requires strong interpersonal skills, deep knowledge of mountain safety, and the ability to adapt plans based on weather, snow conditions, and group ability.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Previous experience guiding backcountry ski or snowboard tours

• Avalanche training (minimum AST 2, or equivalent; CAA or AMGA certifications a plus)

• First Aid or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification or equivalent

• Excellent communication and group management skills

• Strong skiing or snowboarding ability in varied terrain

• Familiarity with the Nozawa or Nagano backcountry region is an asset

• Fluency in English (Japanese language skills a bonus)