Yamagata Zao | Echigo-Yuzawa | Hokkaido Teine
All-Mandarin skiing school
Information for the 2026-27 snow season is expected to be released in July. If you have any questions, please contact us via the official LINE first.
Register for ski lessons now
About Us
We are a group of passionate instructors with extensive teaching experience and enthusiasm for skiing and snowboarding. Our head coach has years of teaching experience in Japan and is deeply familiar with local customs and culture. We all love using video to capture our energetic lives, enjoying the mountain lifestyle in Japan—skiing in a romantic, snow-white world, soaking in hot springs, eating yakiniku, enjoying traditional Japanese food, and experiencing the friendly locals and culture. That is why our name is Snow Planet: this is not just a sport, but a new lifestyle and travel experience. We sincerely invite you to come and experience this healthy and relaxing atmosphere while on your overseas vacation. We will also provide professional sports instruction, in-depth local travel advice, and top-tier photography techniques to help you capture these special memories.
Snow Planet Advantage
01.
small-class teaching
Exquisite small-group lessons starting with just 1 person, maximum coach-to-student ratio of 1:5, strictly no combined groups, enjoy the wonderful experience of having fun together with friends
02.
flexible curriculum hours
A variety of course duration options are available, ranging from 2-hour experience classes to 6-hour full-day courses, allowing you to schedule your itinerary more freely.
03.
Chinese-speaking coach throughout the whole process
Snow Planet ski instructors all teach in Mandarin Chinese, so you don't have to worry about language barriers or cultural differences, making communication a breeze!
04.
Customized teaching
From beginners with zero experience, intermediate skiers looking to advance, to professional competitors, Snow Planet can meet the learning needs of any level and skill.
Snow Planet Coach
All passed the international ski certification
Our professional coaching team holds official international certifications and possesses extensive teaching experience, while continuously advancing their professional skills through ongoing training. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced skier, our coaches tailor their instruction to your skill level, allowing you to progress steadily on the snow and fully enjoy the fun of skiing.
Blog
Quickly understand Japanese ski culture and etiquette, and be a top-rated traveler
Do I need to buy a ski lift ticket? What types of ski lifts are there? What should I do if I'm scared of riding the ski lift?
Planning your Zao ski trip like this: a five-day itinerary packed with food, sightseeing, and attractions.
Recommended 5 ski resorts near Tokyo! Come and experience the joy of skiing in Tokyo together!
How to choose the right ski instructor? Choose the right instructor and the world of skiing is so much fun!
Is skiing in Japan expensive? How much money do I need to prepare if I want to ski in Japan?
How to choose a ski lesson in Japan? Costs, group size, lesson content and time, and refund policies, all in one place!
What is essential ski equipment? Ski equipment checklist and review
First-time skiing without fear! Japan skiing for beginners: master it on your first try with this ultimate FAQ guide
Should you choose ski or snowboard for your first time skiing? Differences, pros and cons, and learning difficulty for single and double boards here
Course FAQ
Does the coach speak Chinese?
Most of the instructors are Taiwanese and can provide professional ski lessons in Chinese, so you don't need to worry about the language barrier. We have many students from Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, and we warmly welcome Chinese-speaking friends from all countries to sign up for the courses.
What course hours are available to choose from?
Snow Planet SNOW STAR currently offers:
Zao - 2-hour trial lesson, 4.5-hour half-day lesson, 5-hour full-day lesson, 6-hour full-day lesson,
Yuzawa - 4.5-hour half-day course, 6-hour full-day course
For more details, please refer to the ski lesson introduction.
What are the schedule times for the full-day and half-day classes respectively?
There are 5-hour and 6-hour classes available all day (excluding lunch).
The 5-hour course has two time slots to choose from:
08:30-11:00 and 12:00-14:30
11:00-13:30 and 14:30-17:00
The 6-hour class sessions are: 08:30-11:30 and 12:30-15:30
- Half-day 4-hour course:
Morning 08:30-12:30 or Afternoon 13:00-17:00
- A 2-hour trial class is also available, with 2 time slots to choose from: morning 08:30-10:30 or afternoon 15:00-17:00
For details, please refer to the ski lesson introduction.
Does the course fee include lift tickets, equipment, and transportation costs?
This course fee does not include lift tickets, equipment, or transportation. Please complete your purchases and equipment rentals before the lesson.
(Please contact us for more information if you need to purchase ski passes or rent equipment)
If the class schedule doesn't work for you, can you discuss other class times with the coach?
The snow play lesson times are fixed. If you are absent, late, or delayed in reaching the meeting point due to any personal reasons such as renting equipment, the instructor will still start and end the class on time according to the scheduled lesson time. No makeup time or refunds will be provided.
At what age can you learn to ski?
This course is not suitable for children under 5 and seniors over 60 years old.
Children aged 5 to 8 (inclusive) are only offered 1-on-1 sessions. If there are 2 to 5 children in this age group, at least one parent must be present on-site to register.
Who is not recommended to learn skiing?
It is not recommended for travelers with the following conditions or others who should not be subjected to excessive stimulation to participate in this tour: high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, epilepsy, pregnant women.
Can adults and children take classes together?
We recommend that students registering together be of the same or similar skill levels. If skill levels vary, separate registration is advised. For families participating together, we recommend teaching adults (ages 12 and above) and children (ages 11 and below) separately. If separate classes are not possible, the coach will base the main instruction on the level of the student who needs more attention (for safety reasons). You can contact and discuss this with us via LINE.
What is the maximum number of students per class?
To ensure quality and progress, the coach-to-student ratio is 1:5. We do not accommodate requests for specific coaches. If this is not acceptable to you, please do not register.
Can I request a specific coach?
No specific coaches will be assigned; please do not register if this is unacceptable to you.
How do I book a class?
Please place your order through the official SNOW STAR booking system. Your reservation is only successfully completed after you finish the registration and pay the full deposit in full (verbal or LINE registrations are not accepted).
