FAQs
Skiing. Travelling. We are here to help you.
We have prepared a list of FAQ about our courses/travelling in the Niseko area here, please contact us if you need any further assistance.
about our courses
Can parents take lessons with their kids?
Because adults and children have different ways of learning and often progress at different paces, we recommend booking separate lessons.
If parents would like to enjoy some family time with their children, we can arrange for them to take lessons together, but the instructor may need to focus on the student who needs more attention.
For parents who don’t ski but do not want to miss the precious moments of their children skiing, they are welcomed to observe and take photos in a place that do not interfere with the lesson.
Is there an age limit for lessons?
Ski: Recommended age 4 years and above
Snowboard: Recommended age 6 years and above
There is no upper limit for age, but please inform us in advance if you have any known medical conditions that may affect your safety during the lesson.
Do I need to purchase personal insurance?
Pinnacle places great emphasis on safety in the classroom and provides professional training for instructors to ensure they can select appropriate terrain and slopes for safely and effectively guiding students.
Since skiing comes with its inherent risks, it is recommended that students purchase travel insurance covering skiing activities before departure.
Should I rent or bring my own ski equipment?
Due to the inconvenience of carrying equipment in heavy snow, it is recommended to rent gear from the hotel’s in-house or nearby rental shops.
The rental cost for skis and ski boots is around JPY 5,000-8,000 and the rental cost for ski suits is around JPY 5,000-6,000.
You will need to bring your own:
ski socks, gloves, quick-drying base layers, warm mid-layers, ski goggles, and a face mask. These items are not included with the rental ski equipment and must be provided by you.
Other ski equipment can be rented from the shop.
Can the lesson be canceled or rescheduled?
If the ski resort is officially closed due to force majeure, we will cancel the lesson for that day and arrange a refund or reschedule the course for you.
If you unilaterally change or cancel the course reservation, we will charge a cancellation fee. Please refer to the Course Terms and Conditions for details.
Is there break time during the lesson?
Yes, break times can be arranged flexibly based on your physical condition and learning progress on the day.
All full-day lessons include a one-hour lunch break.
Which ski resort is suitable for me?
For beginners, we recommend Annupuri, which has multiple green runs greatfor practice.
For intermediate skiers, we recommend Grand Hirafu, which offers a diverse range of different terrains.
Transportation guide
How to get from New Chitose Airport to Niseko?
You can choose from options like taking a shuttle bus, driving by yourself, hiring limo service, or taking public trains. For detailed information, please refer to the latest updates.
- Shuttle Bus
This is the most recommended option, taking about 2.5 hours to reach the ski resort. It is advised to book in advance. - Self Driving
Car rental services are available both at New Chitose Airport and in Niseko town. There are two routes from Sapporo to Niseko: the northern expressway and the mountain road via Nakayama Pass. Snow drive experience is strongly recommended, and you need to have a valid translated version of your driver’s license. Note that PRC driver’s licenses cannot be used in Japan. - Limo Service
Commercial limo services carries the fleet like 7-seater Alphards or 10-seater Hiace vans. Round-trip prices range from JPY 80,000 to over JPY 100,000 depending on the number of passengers and vehicle type. Reservations should be made in advance. - Train
Route: JR from Chitose Airport → Otaru → Kutchan Station → Local Shuttle Bus
The train fare is around JPY 5,000. This option is suitable for travelers with light luggage.
How to get from New Chitose Airport to Rusutsu?
You can choose between taking a bus or using free shuttle service provided by the resort.
Bus
New Chitose Airport ⇔ Rusutsu
New Chitose Airport Departures:
runs 8 times daily, earliest from 09:50 am. The trip time is around 2 hours.
Rusutsu Departures:
runs 7 times daily, latest at 17:30 pm, trip time is around 2 hours.
Lesson Meeting Points
For Niseko
For Hirafu:
- Ski-in/Ski-out Hotel lobbies
- Hirafu .BASE (outside on snow)
- Hirafu Family Lift Base
- Hirafu Mountain Center (outside on snow)
For Annupuri:
- Annupuri Nook (outside on snow)
- Northern Resort Hotel Ski Gear Lobby
For Rusutsu
- East Mt. base.