Frequency asked questions about working in Niseko
Please find below some answers to some Frequently asked questions about working the winter season in Niseko. For any questions for full time, or summer seasonal work, please email our team directly on [email protected].
Each year, recruitment will commence in May/June for the following winter season and will conclude around October.
For winter seasonal recruitment, applicants are asked to apply online via the application link in our jobs pages.
No matter which brand or role you apply for, all applications will filter into the same place and will be run through the same process (except for SnowSports Instructors).
Once an application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email.
Please see the following pages for more information regarding each of our brands and our job listings;
Even if you are interested in different positions, we ask that you only submit one application, unless you are also applying for a Ski or Snowboard Instructing role with GoSnow. If so, please submit two separate applications as the recruitment process is slightly different for Instructors.
You still apply through the winter application form here.
Please let us know in the form if you have worked with us before.
For Snowsports Instructors returning for another season; please see the Instructor Application Process for more information.
Please see the Instructor Application Process for more information to apply with GoSnow.
We will usually get back to you within 2 weeks of receiving your application. While we appreciate your interest, due to the high number of applications, please note we will endeavour to, but may not be able to get back to all applicants.
If we think you are a good fit, we will invite you to an interview to learn more about you. The interview will be online via Google Meet and you will be sent a booking link.
If successful for a position, we will send you out a Job Offer via email which will outline your division, position, start and end date and hourly pay rate. Once you have accepted your offer, we will send out a contract to you (this could be right away or in a few weeks time depending on the time of the year).
Yes, all of our winter seasonal roles come with a Grand Hirafu & Hanazono lift pass. You have the option to upgrade to an all-mountain lift pass for a fee.
Yes, we have a range of subsidised staff accommodation available in both Hirafu, and Kutchan. You can see more here: https://www.htmniseko.com/care...
For those allocated to Kutchan, there is a staff shuttle bus service to assist you getting to and from work.
This is dependent on the role you are applying for, but for most of our winter seasonal work you do not need to speak Japanese.
Niseko is an international resort that sees many international visitors from all over the world in Winter. You will find English spoken more than Japanese in Hirafu village in the winter, but if you go 10 minutes down the road you are back in the Japanese countryside. It is respectful to know a few words of Japanese when you are communicating and we encourage you to learn the basics.
Niseko United usually opens late November or early December, and remains open until mid-April (snow/weather dependent) - in some years resorts will extend all the to Golden Week (early May).
For those staff eligible for a working holiday visa (WHV) this will need to be organised in advance at your local Japanese embassy or consulate. For information on WHV eligibility, please see here.
Yes, for all roles we have a mandatory (paid) training period of around 1-2 weeks (depending on the role).
While you will be covered for accident and injury while at work, all staff must have adequate travel insurance to cover you in your free time, especially snow sports cover. This is best to organise from your home country before leaving.
