GAO Snow Academy runs lessons for both adults and children of all levels, as well as offering private lessons for groups or individuals. A rare finds, there are also dedicated lessons for women only and a session purely for three-year-old children. There are, however, some limited English-speaking instructors, and you’ll definitely need to make a reservation in advance if your Japanese is limited.

Despite this, the instructors are incredibly skilled and helpful, and are highly trained to help you become the best skier or snowboarder you can be. The academy is only open throughout the winter season, from November to April, and runs three sessions a day – one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one at night, each 120 minutes long. The lesson prices change throughout the three daily sessions and, of course, depend on the course taken.