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Premium Snowsports Experience

Sora

WHY SORA?

Backed by official resort partnerships at GALA Yuzawa and Nekoma Mountain, SORA provides patient, top-tier instructing in English, Chinese, and Thai. Whether stepping onto the snow for the first time or mastering deep powder, your ultimate ride starts here.

Choose a resort to explore our lessons

Official School

Official resort partner ski school with dedicated on-site customer service counters at GALA and Nekoma.

Multilingual Lessons

Certified international instructors offering lessons in English, Chinese, and Thai for smooth, clear communication.

Priority Lift Access

Fast-track lift boarding, plus resort-specific perks like free magic carpet access or dedicated teaching zones.

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Professional International Instructors

Beginner & Family Friendly

Small Class Sizes & Safe Learning

Our Lesson Programs

Premium Lesson

Exclusive full-day private experience featuring dedicated resort guidance, equipment coordination, and top-tier instructing.

GALA ONLY

Group Lesson

Fun, structured, and affordable small-group lessons designed for first-timers, available exclusively at GALA Yuzawa.

Full-Day Private

Comprehensive full-day lesson (5 hrs) designed for maximum progression and terrain exploration across the mountain.

Half-Day Private

Flexible 2 or 3-hour focused private sessions, perfect for beginners, quick tune-ups, or relaxed family learning.

Skill Progression Guide

Find Your Skill Level

Not sure about your skill level? Use our guide below to find the level that best matches your current ability, so we can better plan your lesson.

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Level 1

First Timer

First time on snow or restarting from scratch, focusing on equipment setup, balance, standing, basic sliding, and safe stopping.

1/7

GALA Yuzawa
Snow Resort

Resort Highlights

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Direct Shinkansen Access

World’s only resort connected directly to a Shinkansen station. No shuttles needed—75 minutes straight from Tokyo.

Private Lesson

6 hrs Premium Lesson

Complete Hassle-Free Experience

  • Meet at the SORA Counter and receive full assistance with arranging rentals, lift tickets, lockers, and gondola access.
  • Designed for a smooth, worry-free day from arrival to the slopes.
  • 6 hrs of instruction + an additional 1-hour lunch break outside the lesson time.

¥120,000

5 hrs Full-Day Lesson

Complete Learning Experience

  • Morning start only.
  • Plenty of time to learn, practice, and build your skills throughout the day.
  • 5 hrs of instruction + an additional 1-hour lunch break outside the lesson time.

¥95,000

3 hrs Half-Day Lesson

Targeted Skill Refinement

  • Available in the morning or afternoon.
  • 3 continuous hours of focused instruction, tailored to your skill level and learning goals.

¥65,000

2 hrs Half-Day Lesson

First-Touch Intro Experience

  • Available in the morning or afternoon.
  • Ideal for limited schedules, a quick snow experience, or kids and adults who prefer a lighter session.

¥50,000

Private Lesson Policies (Gala Yuzawa)

  • Group Size: Up to 4 participants per lesson with no extra charge.
  • Extensions: On-site overtime extensions available at ¥15,000/hour (subject to instructor availability).
  • Kids' Safety Policy: Strictly 1-on-1 private lessons for children aged 4–10.

Group Lesson

2.5 hrs Half-Day Group Lesson

  • On-Site Booking Only: No advance online reservations. Bookings are accepted on-site on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to daily instructor capacity.
  • Lesson Level: Group lessons are currently offered at one level only: First-Timer, designed for guests who are skiing or snowboarding for the first time or starting from scratch.
  • Class Size: A minimum of 2 participants is required to run the class, with a maximum of 6 participants per class.
  • Age Requirement: Participants must be 11 years old or above.

¥20,000

Nekoma Mountain
Snow Park & Resort

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Premium Japan Dry Powder

Famous for ultra-dry powder snow. Experience light-as-air snow conditions for smooth and effortless riding.

Private Lesson

6 hrs Premium lesson

Complete Hassle-Free Experience

  • Morning start at 8:50 AM only.
  • Full on-site assistance with rentals, lift tickets, and lockers.
  • Designed for a smooth, worry-free full-day experience.
  • 6 hrs of instruction + an additional 1-hour lunch break outside the lesson time.

¥99,000

5 hrs Full-Day Lesson

Complete Learning Experience

  • Morning start at 8:50 AM only.
  • Plenty of time to learn, practice, and build your skills throughout the day.
  • 5 hrs of instruction + an additional 1-hour lunch break outside the lesson time.

¥79,000

3 hrs Half-Day Lesson

Targeted Skill Refinement

  • Available at 8:50 AM or 12:50 PM.
  • 3 continuous hours of focused instruction tailored to your skill level and learning goals.

¥55,000

2 hrs Half-Day Lesson

First-Touch Intro Experience

  • Available at 8:50 AM or 12:50 PM.
  • Ideal for limited schedules, a quick snow experience, or kids and adults who prefer a lighter session.

¥45,000

Private Lesson Policies (Nekoma Mountain)

  • Lesson Coverage: Covers instructor fee only; lift tickets, rentals, meals, and transport are not included.
  • Group Size: Up to 4 participants per lesson with no extra charge.
  • Extensions: Overtime extensions or plan upgrades available on-site at ¥15,000/hour or by paying the price difference.
  • Kids' Safety Policy: Strictly 1-on-1 private lessons for children aged 4–10.

FAQ

What is included in the lesson fee?

Lesson fees cover professional instructor fees only. Lift tickets, equipment rentals, meals, and transportation expenses are not included and must be arranged separately.

Can adults and children take a private lesson together?

For children aged 4 to 10, strictly 1-on-1 private lessons are required for safety reasons. For children 11 and above, family members can join the same private lesson (up to 4 participants total), provided they are at a similar riding level.

Where and when do we meet our instructor?

Meeting points and times vary by resort (GALA Yuzawa or Nekoma Mountain). Specific meeting locations and instructor contact details will be provided in your confirmation email prior to your lesson date. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early. If you arrive late, the lesson will still end at the scheduled time and the missed time cannot be extended or made up.

What happens if there is bad weather?

Bad weather, such as rain, heavy snow, or snowstorms, generally does not affect scheduled lessons as long as the resort remains open. If the resort suspends operations but provides an alternative resort, the lesson will proceed at the alternative location as scheduled and no refund will be issued.

A full refund will only be provided if the resort suspends operations and no alternative resort is available.

Do I need to buy lift tickets or rent equipment before the lesson?

Yes. Standard policy requires all equipment to be fitted and lift tickets purchased before the lesson start time. Lessons will start and end as scheduled, and no overtime will be granted for delays caused by rentals or ticket purchases.

Exceptions:

  • Premium Lessons: If you booked a Premium Lesson, your dedicated instructor will assist you with equipment fitting and lift ticket purchases beforehand.
  • First-Timers at Nekoma Mountain: Complete beginners (Level 1) taking lessons at Nekoma Mountain do not need to purchase a lift ticket in advance. Sora guests have free access to the beginner Magic Carpet area! Your instructor will advise you if and when a lift ticket is needed as your lesson progresses.
More Questions

Book Your Lesson Today

Choose your resort to book your lesson, or reach out to our team with any questions.