Our Services
Ski & Snowboard Lessons
Private and small-group lessons for all levels, from first-timer to expert. Half day, full day or night.
Powder Guiding
Resort-based powder guiding for confident skiers/riders chasing the best snow of the day.
Backcountry Guiding
Avalanche-trained guides take you beyond the rope lines. Age 16+, transceiver / probe / shovel required.
Logistics & Location
Operating Areas
- Rusutsu Resort
- Kiroro Resort
- Niseko (Hirafu / Hanazono / Annupuri / Moiwa)
- Sapporo (Teine / Kokusai / Bankei / ONS)
Meeting Points
- Designated meeting points at resort
- Private pick-up at hotel (additional fee may apply)
Shuttle & Pick-up
Private transportation available for an additional fee. Please contact us in advance.
Lessons in Action
Captured on Hokkaido's slopes.
What our guests say
"We would like to sincerely thank Ezo Snowsports & Marcin for an outstanding ski learning experience for our 11-year-old son. What truly impressed us was the quality and seriousness of the instruction...."
"First of all, Rusutsu powder is like nothing else in skiing. Second, having a guide at made all the difference in the world. We went on tree trails we would never have found and had the best skiing of..."
"2 days of ski lessons with Kaito. He was very patient and clear with instructions. My kids managed to improve their skiing skills by a lot, and confident to navigate sleeper slopes ☺️ Good to have Co..."
"Amazing experience with our excellent instructor Tobias of Ezo Snowsports. We had an incredible time learning how to ski, and I couldn’t have asked for a better instructor. The ski school was very we..."
"Kaito and Toby taught our group of 7 people and were super inclusive to the range of skill levels. They gave us a fun time while keeping us safe and maintained a good attitude throughout our sessions...."
"We would like to sincerely thank Ezo Snowsports & Marcin for an outstanding ski learning experience for our 11-year-old son. What truly impressed us was the quality and seriousness of the instruction...."
"First of all, Rusutsu powder is like nothing else in skiing. Second, having a guide at made all the difference in the world. We went on tree trails we would never have found and had the best skiing of..."
"2 days of ski lessons with Kaito. He was very patient and clear with instructions. My kids managed to improve their skiing skills by a lot, and confident to navigate sleeper slopes ☺️ Good to have Co..."
"Amazing experience with our excellent instructor Tobias of Ezo Snowsports. We had an incredible time learning how to ski, and I couldn’t have asked for a better instructor. The ski school was very we..."
"Kaito and Toby taught our group of 7 people and were super inclusive to the range of skill levels. They gave us a fun time while keeping us safe and maintained a good attitude throughout our sessions...."
Meet Our Instructors
Certified, multilingual, and locally based. Our team brings deep local knowledge and elite ski & snowboard instruction to Sapporo, Rusutsu, and Niseko.
🇯🇵Kaito
Born and raised in Japan, I have been teaching skiing and snowboarding for seven years. I'm excited to share Hokkaido’s incredible powder snow and create unforgettable experiences in the mountains.
Japanese, English
7 Seasons
🇩🇰Tobias
Since first coming to Japan nine years ago, I have been captivated by its incredible snow and have returned to Rusutsu every winter. I will do my best to help you create the best winter memories possible!
English, Danish
10 Seasons
🇵🇱Marcin
My mission here in Ezo is simple: to share my passion for skiing and help others discover the same feeling that keeps me chasing snow around the world. Whether you’re taking your first turns or looking to take your skiing to the next level, I want every lesson to be fun, memorable, and full of progression.
English, Polish
7 Seasons
🇮🇹🇨🇦Jesse
Born in Italy and raised around the globe, I’ve been skiing since I was three and haven’t stopped since. Ski Racing as a kid evolved into a passion for Freeride skiing, and I’ve spent years coaching Freeride teams globally. With 20+ years of experience on the snow, whether it’s fast skiing or bottomless powder turns, I’ve got you covered. Skiing should always be fun.
(Oh, and fair warning: I’m a great cook and a better eater, so après-ski is always in good hands.)
English, Italian
10 Seasons
🇦🇺Emer
Originally from Australia but a total child of the world, I’m stoked to be back for my second winter at Rusutsu! Having skied all over the globe, nothing quite beats Japan - from soaking in onsens to grabbing post-hill gyukatsu. I’m all about creating a fun, zero-pressure vibe tailored to whatever you’re after, whether that’s working on your technique, building confidence in variable snow, or hunting down uncrowded runs and the best local spots. Let’s catch some incredible turns together!
English
1 Seasons
🇬🇧Isabelle
I came to Rusutsu last season and quickly fell in love with its mountains, so I am excited to be back again this winter. I look forward to sharing plenty of fun times and unforgettable memories with you this season!
English
3 Seasons
🇯🇵Tomoaki
This is my first season working as an instructor, but I can teach everything from freestyle to freeride! I'll do my best to give you a great lesson!
Japanese, English
0 Seasons
🇸🇰Timea
I’m originally from Slovakia and have had the opportunity to teach skiing both in Canada and Slovakia. Skiing has always been a big part of my life, and I feel lucky to be able to do what I love and what truly fulfils me. I enjoy sharing my passion for skiing, helping others improve and seeing them gain confidence on the slopes. I’m excited to experience Japan’s amazing mountains and meet new people along the way!
English, Slovak
3 Seasons
Leave Your Gear With Us
All plans are based on one ski or snowboard set per person. Pick-up and delivery available. Custom family plans are available on request.
Standard
Safe off-season storage for your gear. Simple, reliable, and worry-free.
- Off-season storage
- One ski or snowboard set
- Pre-storage condition check
- Pick-up at designated location
Premium
Arrive and go—your gear is fully tuned before you even land. Our most popular plan with seasonal wax.
- Off-season storage
- Seasonal storage wax
- Pre-arrival wax & tune
- Priority pick-up arrangement
- Photo inventory record
VIP
Everything handled—tune-ups, hotel delivery, and priority support. The ultimate hassle-free experience.
- Off-season storage
- Wax & tune-up arrangement
- Hotel delivery arrangement
- Priority return service
- Lesson & guiding priority support
FAQ
Waterproof ski jacket and pants, base & mid layering (synthetic or wool), gloves, goggles, and a beanie. Avoid cotton. Rental gear is available at all resort bases.
Ski/snowboard equipment, boots, and helmet (highly recommended). Lift passes are not included. Backcountry: transceiver, probe, shovel are required (rental can be arranged).
Ski and snowboard lessons are available from age 3. Private lessons are highly recommended for young children to ensure safety and focused attention.
English and Japanese are guaranteed for all bookings. Depending on instructor availability, Chinese and other languages may be supported — please request when booking.
Resort lessons usually run if lifts are operating. Powder guiding decisions are made by the guide based on lift status and snow conditions. Backcountry tours are judged by mountain conditions and weather. If the resort closes lifts or we cancel for safety, you receive a full refund or reschedule.
Peak season (mid-Dec to mid-Feb) fills up 1–2 months ahead. Off-peak: booking 1–2 weeks in advance is usually fine.
A Message From Our Founder
Born and raised in Osaka, Japan.At age 20, I first set foot in Hokkaido as a part-time lift operator at Rusutsu Resort. There I encountered the light, deep powder snow that only Hokkaido can offer — a sensation I had never known in Osaka, and one that instantly captured my heart.
Another encounter changed my life. Tobias, a ski instructor working at the same resort, showed me what it means to genuinely connect with every guest and share the joy of skiing. Watching him up close, I knew this was the work I wanted to do. That moment set me on the path to becoming an instructor.
After earning my certification, I gained further experience in Niseko before heading to Whistler, Canada, where I honed my skills and teaching ability in a world-class mountain environment. What I learned across different cultures, languages, and snow conditions deepened not only my technique, but also my understanding of how to connect with diverse guests.
Pouring all of that experience into a single vision, I founded EZO SNOWSPORTS in 2024. Renowned for some of the best snow quality in the world, we want to deliver the emotion that only Hokkaido snow can provide to as many people as possible — from first-timers to experts. That is our unwavering mission.
Snow & Weather Report
Current Conditions: Rusutsu, Japan