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.

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

Yes, Lift tickets are not included in the lesson price and need to be purchased separately.

You can purchase your lift ticket online in advance, and early-bird or advance-purchase discounts may be available depending on the resort and date. You can also purchase your lift ticket at the resort on the day of your lesson.

Exception for first-time skiers and snowboarders at Nekoma Mountain:

If it is your first time skiing or snowboarding, we recommend not purchasing a lift ticket in advance. SORA students can use the beginner magic carpet area for free during the lesson. If you progress to the point where a lift ticket is needed, you can purchase one at the resort during the lesson.

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.

You don’t need to buy everything before your trip. Some equipment can be rented at the ski resort, while a few personal items should be prepared in advance.

Available for rent at the Resort:

Skis or snowboard
Ski or snowboard boots
Ski poles (for skiing)
Helmet
Ski jacket and pants

Please prepare in advance or purchase at the resort:

Goggles
Waterproof gloves

We also recommend bringing:

Base layers / Quick-drying base layers
Socks that come up above your calves
Neck warmer
An additional mid-layer for colder days
A thin beanie to wear under your helmet — We recommend having one for hygiene and comfort.

The amount of insulation you need will depend on the weather. Layering is recommended so you can easily adjust throughout the day.

Please allow enough time before your lesson to rent equipment, collect or purchase your lift ticket, change clothes, and get ready.

GALA Yuzawa:

We recommend arriving at least 60 minutes before your lesson on regular days. GALA Yuzawa can be very busy on weekends, public holidays, and peak-season dates, so you may need to arrive even earlier on particularly busy days. Please allow extra time for equipment rental, changing, and collecting your lift ticket.

Nekoma Mountain:

We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your lesson.

Full Support Lesson:

You only need to arrive 5 minutes before the meeting time. Your instructor will meet you and guide you through the preparation process, including equipment rental and lift ticket arrangements.

Please note that preparation time before a regular lesson is not included in the lesson time, so we recommend arriving early enough to be fully ready by the scheduled start time.

We recommend carrying only essential items while skiing or snowboarding.

A wallet and phone are usually enough. You may also want to carry lip balm, especially if your lips get dry easily.

We recommend applying sunscreen before your lesson rather than carrying it with you.

For first-time skiers and snowboarders, we do not recommend carrying an action camera during the lesson. For water, you can purchase a bottle when needed, use a soft water bottle, or take a drink during a break at the base area.

Try to avoid carrying unnecessary hard or bulky objects in your pockets. If you fall, these items can cause bruising or injury.

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 5-10 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.