- ABOUT US
- Snowboard LESSON
- TIME
- ACCESS
- LESSON DAY FLOW
- INSURANCE
- NOTES / CONSENTS
- FAQ
- Why do you need my hotel name in my reservation request?
- What is the level of English conversation at your school?
- Does the lesson fee include lift tickets and rentals?
- Why I can not kids sign up for a full-day lesson?
- Can I split the one-day lesson fee (4 hours) into 2 hours in the afternoon on the first day and 2 hours in the morning on the next day?
- Can I choose a regular lesson because my friend (live in Japan) will interpret for me?
- Does your school rent snowboard equipment?
- Which reception desk should I choose?
- I haven’t received an email reply confirming my lesson reservation.
- If I send a lesson reservation request, is the reservation confirmed?
- When will lesson reservations start?
- When do lessons start at Zao Snowboard School?
- When can I start skiing at Zao Onsen Ski Resort?
ABOUT US
Welcome to ZAO Snowboard School official site.
ZAO Snowboard School recognized by the Japan Snowboard Association (JSBA).
We are the speciality snowboard school in Zao Onsen Ski Area.
We can teach beginners to experts.
You can learn Manners, safe and skill.
“Making fun and Progress” are our motto.
We look forward to your visit to Zao Onsen Ski Resort.
We are snowboard school. We do not teach skiing.
Snowboard LESSON
This price list is for International Guests.
| max 4 people | 2 hours（a.m. or p.m.） | 4 hours（a.m. & p.m. = 1day） | ||
| Total fee | (Per person) | Total fee | (Per person) | |
| 1 person | ¥33,000 | (¥33,000) | ¥44,000 | (¥44,000) |
| 2 people | ¥38,000 | (¥19,000) | ¥49,000 | (¥24,500) |
| 3 people | ¥43,000 | (¥14,333) | ¥54,000 | (¥18,000) |
| 4 people | ¥48,000 | (¥12,000) | ¥59,000 | (¥14,750) |
Please pay the total fee.
TIME
| time | a.m. | p.m. |
| Reception time | 08:45~9:30 | 12:30~13:00 |
| Lesson time | 10:00~12:00 | 13:30~15:30 |
ACCESS
We have two reception desks. Please come to the nearest reception desk.
Our head office (main reception desk) is Sports Club MONZA.
Sports Club MONZA (Main reception desk)
Next to Nakamori slope and Zao Chuo Ropeway Onsen Station.
Sports Club MONZA, 904ｰ4-2 Zao Onsen, Yamagata, Japan 990-2301
< exterior > The entrance is on the 2nd floor, up the stairs. 
< waiting space > 
< reception desk > 
Yokokura Ski Center (Branch reception desk)
Next to the Yokokura slope, inside the Zao Ropeway Sanroku Station Building
229-3 Sandogawa, Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata, Japan 990-2301
LESSON DAY FLOW
We will explain the flow of the lesson day.
For example, the beginner rents equipment and takes a 4 hour (1 day) lesson. Please consider as a guide only.
Rent equipment
8:00 ~ 8:30 (Time required: 15 ~ 30 minutes)
There are many rental shops at Zao Onsen Ski Area. There is also a rental corner in the hotel where you stay. In order to snowboard, you will need special equipment, so please rent the following items.
- Snow wear [required]
- Knit hat or helmet [required] Protects and keeps the head and ears warm
- Goggles [required] Protect eyes and face
- Snow glove [required] Gloves used in town are NG
- Snowboard [required] Paint wax
- Boots [required] Size check
Visit the reception desk
8:45 ~ 9:30 (Time required: 15 ~ 30 minutes)
Wear snow wear and bring your equipment to the reception desk.
Zao Onsen Ski Resort is a large resort. We recommend that you check the route from the hotel or rental shop in advance. It is convenient to use if there is a hotel shuttle bus.
Please fill out the application form and complete the payment.
Check the equipment. The lessons haven’t started yet, but this is the most important part.
First, we will teach you how to wear the correct boots.
Next, set your board. We need time here.
Finally, we will give advice on how to wear beanie hats or helmets, and how to attach goggles.
Besides that, there are quite a few things, such as buying a lift ticket or finishing the toilet.
Now you are ready.
Please relax until the lesson start time.
February 5, 2019 at 9:27 a.m. Zao Ropeway ticket counter.Please come to the reception desk early so that you can relax and take lessons.
a.m. Lesson
10:00 ~ 12:00 (Time required: 2 hours)
First, do some gymnastic exercises. Let’s move well to prevent injury and warm up.
The lesson begins. Start from getting used to the snow.
Do with the instructor. Let’s start with peace of mind.
Lunch break
12:00 ~ 13:30 (Time required: 1 hour 30 minutes)
Thank you for your a.m. lesson.
Probably when it became fun. I understand the feeling that you want to practice, but take a break here.
Take off your boots and relax your legs.
Make sure you wear your boots before the p.m. lesson begins. Let’s finish the toilet.
p.m. Lesson
13:30 ~ 15:30 (Time required: 2 hours)
After the gathering, the p.m. lessons will begin after a warm-up exercise.
Start with a.m. review. Instructor will support you. let’s have fun.
At the end of the lesson, we will look back on today.
You should be able to understand the growth in one day.
The instructor will give you the next task. Please ask questions.
End of Lesson
15:30 ~
Thank you for the lesson.
Good to come to Zao. Good to learn at ZAO Snowboard School. I want to come again.
We have devised teaching methods so that they can say.
When you come to Zao, please give us an order again.
INSURANCE
Although our school has disability insurance, it does not apply to overseas customers.
Please take out disability insurance by yourself.
NOTES / CONSENTS
Please read the following precautions and agreements before taking our lessons.
When you apply for a lesson, you agree.
- Snowboarding is a fun sport you can do in nature. However, understand that snowboarding can be life-threatening and can cause damage to others. Please participate after fully understanding the danger and nature of snowboarding.
- If you are not careful due to your own carelessness or fatigue, or if you are unskilled in your skiing skills, there is a risk of falling over or colliding with another customer.
- Understand that ski resorts have unique dangers such as poor visibility, snow quality, ski slopes, falls and possible collisions with other skiers, snowboarders and obstacles. please.
- When attending the lessons, please observe the ski resort rules and snowboard at your own risk.
- During the lesson, the school or instructor is not responsible for any accidents caused by your carelessness, accidents that cannot be avoided by the instructor, accidents caused by equipment or facilities, etc. .
- Please observe the meeting time.
- The lesson may be terminated if you take an action that hinders a smooth lesson, such as dangerous or nuisance. In that case, no refund will be given.
- For your safety, you may not get on the lift.
- Our lessons use simple English vocabulary. It’s not perfect English, but we will do our best.
Please understand and apply for the lesson.
FAQ
Why do you need my hotel name in my reservation request?
Please let us know once you have booked your hotel.
Please reply to the “Reservation Confirmation Email” we will send you.
The reason we want to know your hotel is as follows.
Because Zao Onsen Ski Resort is very large, we can guide you to our nearest reception desk.
In a past case, a customer made a reservation for a hotel in Miyagi Zao, mistaking Miyagi Zao for Zao Onsen Ski Resort.
Zao Onsen Ski Resort is very far from Miyagi Zao, and they were late for the reception time and could not take the lesson.
Although it is the same “Zao”, “Miyagi Zao” and “Zao Onsen Ski Resort” are located one hour away from each other even if you use the highway.
By knowing your hotel, we can notice your mistake. And the lesson will go smoothly on the day.
Thank you for your cooperation.
What is the level of English conversation at your school?
We can not speak English fluently.
We use simple English words and body language in our lessons.
Every year many foreign customers enjoy our lessons and communication.
Does the lesson fee include lift tickets and rentals?
The lesson fee does not include lift tickets or rentals.
Please prepare these before coming to the reception desk.
Why I can not kids sign up for a full-day lesson?
At our school, kids can only attend for two hours a day.
The reason is that two hours is the limit for a child’s physical strength and concentration.
Also, to prioritize children’s safety, they cannot take lessons with adults.
Our definition of kids
Up to the third grade of Japanese elementary school (up to 9 years old).
Can I split the one-day lesson fee (4 hours) into 2 hours in the afternoon on the first day and 2 hours in the morning on the next day?
No. You will be charged the half-day fee for two days.
The daily fee is 2 hours in the morning + 2 hours in the afternoon on the day. Fees cannot be added together on different days because an instructor is required for both days.
When you submit your request, please write your preference for the next day in the comments section when submitting the request for the first day.
We will send you a reply confirming your reservation for both days.
This question is often asked by customers who come by bus.
To come to Zao Onsen Ski Resort by bus, you will need to board the first bus #1 or the second bus #2 as shown below.
Yamagata Station Bus No.1 → Zao Onsen Bus Terminal (same times on weekdays, weekends and holidays) Z90
#1 Departs 6:50 → Arrives 7:26
#2 Departs 7:40 → Arrives 8:20 (Arrives 8:17 on weekends and holidays)
After this bus, you will not be able to make it to the morning reception time (8:45-9:30).
The third bus, departing 8:40 → arriving 9:17, does not allow time for rental or changing.
For more information, please check the Yamako Bus website.
Can I choose a regular lesson because my friend (live in Japan) will interpret for me?
We cannot accept your request for a regular lesson. Tourists can only select “English Private Lesson For Foreigners”.
Many people say, “I’ll interpret for you, so it’s okay.” However, with the unfamiliar environment (snow and temperature) and the first time snowboarding, they don’t have the time to interpret for their friends.
We received a lot of inquiries about this last season, and there were also false applications. We have refused to allow you to participate in regular lessons because it will cause trouble to other students. Please be careful when sending your request.
Regular lessons are limited to those who live in Japan and can communicate in Japanese. It is a local price. Please fill out your Japanese address and phone number on the application form on the day at the reception desk.
If you do not agree with our school’s management policy, please find another school.
The same applies if it is discovered on the day. If you have made a reservation, we will charge you 100% of the reserved lesson fee as a cancellation fee on the day.
Does your school rent snowboard equipment?
Our school does not rent snowboard equipment. We also do not have any affiliated rental shops.
There are many rental shops around Zao Onsen Ski Resort.
Your hotel may have a rental corner. If you need to rent something, please check for yourself.
There is a link to a list of rental shops on Zao Onsen Ski Resort (official website).
Please contact each shop directly for rental contents and prices.
The rental shops are crowded during peak seasons. It may take more than 30 minutes to check in.
If you are staying in the Zao area, we recommend that you rent your equipment the day before your lesson.
On the day of your lesson, please rent your equipment first and then come to the reception desk.
Which reception desk should I choose?
We have two reception desks.
If you are staying in Zao, please come to the counter closest to you.
There is a waiting area at the Sports Club MONZA reception desk (our school headquarters). There is a waiting area available after you check in.
There is no waiting area at the Yokokura Ski Center reception.
If your hotel has a shuttle bus, please ask if they can take you to the MONZA reception desk.
I haven’t received an email reply confirming my lesson reservation.
Have you also received an automatic reply email?
If so, the email address may be incorrect.
Please send your request again.
Please read the notes regarding email addresses.
If I send a lesson reservation request, is the reservation confirmed?
After we receive your request, we will send you a reservation confirmation email. (This is different from the automatic reply email.)
We will confirm reservations in the order in which requests are received.
The time it will take to reply to you is as follows.
Until November 30, 2024: Up to 48 hours
From December 1, 2024: Up to 24 hours
When will lesson reservations start?
Lesson reservations will start from 09:00 (JST) on Friday, November 1, 2024.
No reservations can be made until then. Please wait until November 1.
If you send a request to the contact page, you cannot make a reservation and we will not reply.
When do lessons start at Zao Snowboard School?
Our school is scheduled to open on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
We will update the latest news from the top of our website, so please check that as well.
Our school will close on Monday, March 31, 2025.
We look forward to your lesson reservations and your visit.
When can I start skiing at Zao Onsen Ski Resort?
Zao Onsen Ski Resort will open on Saturday, December 14, 2024 for the 2024-2025 season.
However, the opening date may change depending on the snowfall.
For details, please check the Zao Onsen Ski Resort website.
https://www.zao-spa.or.jp/english/
RESERVATION
Click here to reserve lessons.
Tell us your snowboarding level when you reservation.
All students must be at the same level.
CONTACT US
Contact us from here. You cannot reserve lessons from here. The reason is that you agree to our cancellation policy. If you would like to make a reservation, please use the reservation page above.