FAQ Booking, Lessons & Instructors | SORA Ski & Snowboard School

First-Timer FAQs

Absolutely! Our lessons are fully beginner-friendly. Our certified instructors will guide you step-by-step from the very basics, including equipment fitting, proper stance, and fundamental stopping techniques in a safe environment.

Both are great options! Skiing (two boards) is generally easier to balance on day one, making it quick to learn basic mobility. Snowboarding (one board) has a slightly steeper initial learning curve, but once you master edge control, progression is fast. Choose whichever you feel most excited to try!

Each of our instructors has a unique teaching style, so photo and video taking is not automatically guaranteed for every session. However, if you would like captures of your lesson, please feel free to let your instructor know beforehand!

They will be more than happy to help whenever safety and conditions permit.

We do not provide equipment rentals directly, but you can rent skis, boots, and clothing at the ski resot rental center. We recommend arriving early to complete the rental process.

Lesson & Pricing

The lesson fee includes instruction by a certified instructor. It does not include equipment rental, accommodation, or transportation.

Our Group Lessons are strictly designed for complete beginners (Level 1 / first-timers only) to ensure learning efficiency and safety.

Minimum Class Size: A minimum of 2 participants is required to run a class.
Maximum Capacity: Class size is capped at a maximum of 6 participants per group for personalized attention.

Our private lesson rates are charged per lesson (per group), not per person. A private lesson can accommodate up to 4 participants at no extra charge.

The lesson fee includes basic personal accident coverage and third-party liability insurance strictly during lesson hours.

However, it does not cover activities outside of lesson times or medical care for pre-existing conditions. We strongly recommend all guests purchase comprehensive overseas travel and ski insurance prior to their trip.

Yes. Full payment is required upon booking to secure your reservation and guarantee instructor availability.

If you have concerns about paying in advance, please rest assured that we offer a 100% full refund for cancellations made at least 30 days prior to your lesson date. For details, please refer to our Cancellation Policy.

We offer lessons in English, Chinese (Mandarin), and Thai. As instructor availability for specific languages is limited, we strongly recommend booking as early as possible to secure your preferred language.

For safety reasons, strictly 1-on-1 private lessons are required for children aged 4 to 10.

For children 11 and above, family members or adults can join the same private lesson (up to 4 participants total), provided they are at a similar riding level.

Preparation & Gear

The lesson fee includes instruction by a certified instructor. It does not include equipment rental, accommodation, or transportation.

We offer lessons in Thai, English, and Chinese. Please indicate your preferred language when booking.

Absolutely! Our lessons are beginner-friendly and start from the basics like putting on gear and learning the correct posture.

We do not offer equipment rentals directly. However, rentals are available on-site at the resort rental centers (GALA Yuzawa Rental Center or Nekoma Mountain Rental Center). We strongly recommend arriving 30–60 minutes prior to your lesson to complete rentals.

The north and south areas of Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain Snow Park & Resort have different operating periods:

South Area: late December to late March
North Area: early December to early May

Please check the official website for the latest updates, as schedules may change due to weather and snow conditions.

Transportation to Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain Snow Park & Resort depends on the area:

The South Area

・Paid shuttle from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station
・Free shuttle from Bandaimachi Station
・Paid shuttle from Koriyama Shinkansen Station

(Note: No shuttle from Inawashiro Station)

The North Area

・Free shuttles are available from Hotel Grandeco and Urabandai Kogen Hotel

For more details, please check the official access page:

👉 Access | Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain

All cancellations must be requested through our customer service (info@sorasnow.com or Facebook Messenger).

Refund policy: Cancellations made

30+ days before the lesson: 100% refund
15–29 days before: 70% refund
7–14 days before: 50% refund
Within 7 days: No refund

※ In cases of official ski resort closure or with a valid medical certificate issued by a licensed doctor in Japan, a full refund will be granted regardless of timing.

Gala

You can reach GALA Yuzawa easily via two main route options:

Direct Shinkansen: Take the Joetsu Shinkansen directly from Tokyo Station to GALA Yuzawa Station (approx. 75 minutes), which arrives directly inside the main ski center lobby.
Via Echigo-Yuzawa Station: Take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, exit through the East Exit, and transfer to the free GALA shuttle bus directly to the resort.

(For detailed shuttle bus schedules and updates, please check the official GALA Yuzawa website.)

The meeting point is inside the main ski center building. Specific meeting instructions, location photos, and your instructor’s contact details will be sent in your confirmation email prior to your lesson date.

Please arrive 10–15 minutes early.

GALA Yuzawa typically operates from late December to early May. Exact opening and closing dates vary each season depending on snow conditions.

The resort is generally open daily from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Operating hours may be adjusted during early/spring season or due to extreme weather conditions.

Nekoma

Transportation to Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain Snow Park & Resort depends on the area:

The South Area

・Paid shuttle from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station
・Free shuttle from Bandaimachi Station
・Paid shuttle from Koriyama Shinkansen Station

(Note: No shuttle from Inawashiro Station)

The North Area

・Free shuttles are available from Hotel Grandeco and Urabandai Kogen Hotel

For more details, please check the official access page:

👉 Access | Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain

Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain operates across two connected areas:

South Area: Late December to late March
North Area: Early Novmeber to early May

(Schedules are subject to change depending on weather and snow conditions.)

Daily operating hours vary by area:

South Area: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Night skiing available on select dates until 9:00 PM)
North Area: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Starts from 7:30 AM on weekends and holidays in peak season)

(Please refer to the official website for real-time daily lift operation updates.)

Meeting points differ between the North and South areas.

Detailed location guidance, maps, and your instructor’s contact details will be sent in your confirmation email prior to your lesson date.

Please arrive 10–15 minutes early.

Cancellations & Weather

All cancellations must be requested through our customer service (info@sorasnow.com or Facebook or Instagram).

Refund policy: Cancellations made

30+ days before the lesson: 100% refund
15–29 days before: 70% refund
7–14 days before: 50% refund
Within 7 days: No refund

※ In cases of official ski resort closure or with a valid medical certificate issued by a licensed doctor in Japan, a full refund will be granted regardless of timing.

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.