NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System

2023-2024 NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School
Affiliation System

1. Introduction

The Niseko Free Passport Committee (NFP) has determined that Snowsports Schools (Ski and Snowboard) and Guiding businesses not directly aligned to or owned by an NFP member lift company must now become formally affiliated by the NFP in order to use the NISEKO UNITED (Annupuri, Niseko Village, Grand Hirafu, Hanazono) lift network.  The aim is to ensure that the quality of ski field experience in Niseko continues to improve and that the enjoyment and safety of guests is maintained at all times.

As such, the NFP has established a formal NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System for third-party Snowsports Schools and/or Guiding businesses (i.e. those not owned or directly associated with NFP members) in order to become recognized as a NISEKO UNITED Affiliated Snowsports and Guiding School.

Please note that it is not possible to operate a Snowsports School or Guiding business within the NISEKO UNITED ski resort boundary without becoming formally affiliated by the NFP.

2. Affected Parties

Any group, business or person which is employed by, or intends to operate, a Snowsports School or Guiding business (which includes a guided photography business) within the NISEKO UNITED ski area for financial reward.

3. Affiliation requirements

The NFP members have determined that the following affiliation requirements will be implemented.

  1. Applicants must operate within the laws and regulations of Japan.
  2. Applicants must operate cooperatively with NFP members and operations staff of NISEKO UNITED ski areas.
  3. The ski school business must be qualified by a national certifying with International recognition. A list of the internationally recognized certifications can be found on the following list. All instructors employed by the applicant Snowsports School, must hold a snowsports teaching certification issued by a national certifying with International recognition. The owner or head of the ski school must be present in the Niseko area throughout the whole season.
  4. All guides employed by applicant Guiding business must be either certified or be under the supervision of a responsible person holding relevant back-country certification issued by a recognized authority.  The following will be considered the minimum eligibility certification:
    ・Level 1 Avalanche Certification (non- recreational).
    ・Level 3 ISIA ski/snowboard instructors certification together with the ISIA avalanche and guiding module.
  5. All respective snow sports and guiding school applicants must have a minimum of 5 instructors or guides. 
    ・All respective snow sports or guiding schools must have a Japanese speaking contact person to communicate on a business level. Contact person is not permitted to represent multiple applicants.
  6. Eligible ski school business and guiding schools will undertake continuous staff training throughout the season and adopt a “continuous improvement” approach to improving the skills and development of instructors and guides working in the NISEKO UNITED area.
  7. Applicants must hold a current public liability / accidents insurance policy (minimum of 100 million yen per single accident). Which covers students.
  8. All staff members, Instructors and Guides employed by applicant Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses must be legally entitled to work in Japan.  In the case of foreign staff members, evidence of such together with an individual’s Residents Card or Gaijin Card will be required to be shown at the time of lift pass pickup.
  9. When working, all staff members, Instructors and Guides employed by applicant Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses must wear the official uniform of the applicant Snowsports Schools and Guiding business.
  10. All staff members (in uniform), Instructors and Guides of applicant Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses will be required to purchase and hold a NISEKO UNITED Commercial Lift Pass issued by NISEKO UNITED. 
    ・All Snowsports Instructors and Guides purchasing a NISEKO UNITED commercial seasons pass will also be issued with a “NISEKO UNITED Affiliated” badge (one per commercial seasons pass).  This badge must be affixed to the Guide’s/Instructor’s uniform jacket and must be clearly visible at all times when working.
    ・The badges will be issued free of charge.  However, the badge and commercial lift ticket together will be subject to a 1,000 yen deposit.  The badge and commercial lift pass must be returned together to the place of purchase in order to receive a refund of the deposit paid.
    ・Validity of each badge will expire at the end of the ski season designated on the badge.
  11. When an Instructor or Guide is working, a NISEKO UNITED commercial season pass will not be valid unless it is used with a “NISEKO UNITED Affiliated” badge affixed to his/her jacket.

4. 2023-2024 Commercial Pass Pricing

(1) NISEKO UNITED Commercial Season Pass for 2023-2024
① 308,000 yen (including consumption tax) for instructors and guides who are not members of the Niseko Winter Guiding Association (NWGA).
② 140,000 yen (including consumption tax)
for instructors and guides who are members of the Niseko Winter Guiding Association(NWGA) and also for guided photography business operators.

 -> Those who wish to perform snowsports lessons within Niseko United ski area must purchase the ① NISEKO UNITED Commercial Season Pass.
*Charges will be applied for the below with commercial passes:
 – Change of a pass holder’s name : 20,000 yen /card
 – Reissuance of card in case of loss : 2,500 yen /card (deposit will be collected newly)

(2) NISEKO UNITED commercial season passes will be issued to individuals with the individuals’ name and photograph embedded in the pass. NISEKO UNITED commercial season passes are not transferable.

(3) For 2023-2024 season, NFP will introduce a NISEKO UNITED Five-day Commercial Pass for 71,300 yen (including tax).  Key points to note about this pass are:

  1. The Five-day Commercial pass is valid for the entire 2023-2024 season and can be used on non-consecutive days.
  2. This pass is fully transferable. The pass does not require a person’s name or photo for issuance, but will display the name of the applicant Snowsports School or Guiding business.
  3. An eligible Snowsports School or Guiding business can purchase any number of Five-day Commercial passes, but only up to a maximum of the same number of Commercial Season Passes that the Snowsports School or Guiding business has purchased.  For example, if an eligible Snowsports School or Guiding business purchases five Commercial Season Passes, that Snowsports School can purchase up to five x Five-day Commercial passes.
  4. Instructors or Guides utilizing the Five-day Commercial pass will not be required to have a “NISEKO UNITED Affiliated” badge affixed to their uniforms.
  5. A Five-day Commercial pass may be renewed after expiry, subject to the maximum purchase limits as defined in point 3 above.

5.  Application process

Applicant Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses will be required to submit a NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System application in the required format not later than one week prior to the intended commencement of the applicant’s Snowsports School or Guiding business.  The applicant must submit their application to the NISEKO UNITED NFP member where they will most frequently start or operate from.

Application requirements are as follows:

  1. A correctly filled out NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System application form.
  2. Group or Company profile – including a detailed description and location of the intended business, full contact details (summer and winter) and contact details of Japanese speaking staff members.
  3. A copy of the applicant’s Emergency Management Plan – as required in the case of guest or staff member injury or serious incident.
  4. A copy of the applicant’s Staff Training and Development Plan.
  5. A photo of the applicant’s Snowsports School or Guiding business uniform.
  6. The number of instructors/guides to be employed.
  7. Full details and qualifications of the representative qualified person(s). 
  8. Full list of staff members and instructors who will purchase a NISEKO UNITED Commercial Lift Pass.  Please note that, in the case of foreign staff members, evidence of eligibility to work in Japan (e.g. copy of work visa) together with their gaijin card must be shown at the time of lift pass pickup.
  9. Evidence of public liability/accident insurance (minimum of 100 million yen per single accident) must be provided. Third parties and all students must be covered by the policy. Normally, this will be in the form of a “certificate of currency” as provided by the applicant’s insurance company.

The NFP member which originally received the applicant’s application must be immediately advised of any changes/updates to an applicant’s business and staff levels.

Please note that affiliation of applicants will be at the sole discretion of NFP members.  Once affiliated, applicants will then be able to purchase NISEKO UNITED Commercial Lift Passes for all staff members (in uniform) and instructors and guides as shown in the applicant’s application.

6.  Prohibited acts

(1) Violations against the terms of NISEKO UNITED Affiliation System
a) Solicitation or engagement in any form of publicity for business, or placing flags or signs to indicate the meeting place within a NISEKO UNITED ski area and its facilities.
b) To conduct lessons or guiding services without wearing the designated Snowsports School or Guiding business uniforms as advised to the NFP.
c) Inability of the Japanese speaking contact person to respond to emergency calls.
d) Inability of the owner or head of the ski school / Guiding services to be present in the Niseko area throughout the whole season without any special reasons.
e) To use ski passes other than the commercial passes when working.
f) Transferring or lending of the NISEKO UNITED Commercial Season Pass to others.
g) To use Hanazono and Niseko village ski areas and all the facilities such as rental shops and the hotels or advertise as a meeting place or as a starting point of lessons under any circumstances.
h) Making a false report on the application.
i) Violations of Japanese law.

(2)Violations against each ski resort’s regulations
Regulations vary, please check with each ski resort for details.

(3) Violations against Niseko United Rules

 *Penalties for prohibited acts are listed in the List of Penalties for Prohibited Acts.

7.  Exclusions

Affiliation will not be required under the following circumstances:

8.  Enforcement Procedures.

The NFP members understand that eligible Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses expect that their investment in commercial lift passes is respected and protected.  As such, the Lift Pass Observers may check the lift passes whether correct lift passes are being used in the correct situations.  These Observers will be each carry a “hand-scanner”, which will be able to remotely determine:

  1. The type of lift ticket in use.
  2. The name and embedded color photograph of the user.
  3. The lift ticket number.

The hand-scanner will be able to store this data for downloading and future reference.

If the Observer believes that an incorrect lift ticket is being used, the affected person will be handed a copy of a “Consultation Request document, together with reference to the NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System.  There shall be no further in-situ engagement or confrontation with that person.  It is then incumbent on that person to arrange a meeting with an NFP member within 48 hours of detection to prove that the correct lift pass is in use. 

If that person does not arrange a meeting within 48 hours, then their lift pass will be automatically cancelled.

Providing that the person responds within 48 hours and attends the meeting, then the following outcomes will be possible:

(1) If the NFP member determines that the person is not teaching or guiding for financial reward, then nothing occurs.

(2) If NFP member believes that the person is teaching or guiding for financial reward, then:

・That person will be invited to apply through the NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System to become a NISEKO UNITED Affiliated Snowsports & Guiding School.  Once approved, the cost of that person’s lift ticket may be used as a partial credit towards the purchase of a NISEKO UNITED Commercial Lift Pass.
・If the person cannot (or chooses not to) meet the requirements to become a NISEKO UNITED Affiliated Snowsports & Guiding School, then that person will be warned not to teach or guide further (first warning).  That person will be required to sign a “Personal Declaration” document that they are not participating in the business of a Snowsports & Guiding School and that, if they are informed upon again and an NFP member is satisfied that the person is teaching or guiding for financial reward, their existing lift ticket will immediately be cancelled with no refund.

If a person is reported for the second time, then the following will occur:

Providing that person responds within 48 hours and attends the meeting, then the following outcomes will be possible:

(1) If NFP determines that the person is not teaching or guiding for financial reward, then nothing occurs.

(2) If NFP member determines that the person is teaching or guiding for financial reward, then that person’s lift pass will be cancelled immediately with no refund.

Affiliated Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses should note that if any of their staff members are caught without the correct lift pass and/or badge, the NFP reserves the right to cancel all lift passes issued to that Snowsports School or Guiding business, without refund.

Affiliated Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses are encouraged to identify persons they believe are operating illegally to the NFP Lift Pass Observers.  The Lift Pass Observers will then gather data on those individuals’ lift passes and report the lift pass details to NFP members.

9.  General

  1. If NFP members are satisfied that a person is teaching or guiding for financial reward, or behaving in any way contrary to the definition and/or spirit of the NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System, then the NFP reserves the right to cancel or suspend that person’s lift pass immediately with no refund.
  2. If a person’s lift pass has been cancelled by the NFP, then that person will not be able to purchase a normal season’s pass for the following one season. That person will however be able to purchase a commercial season’s pass for the following one season, subject to the NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System requirements.
  3. NFP reserves the right to modify or alter the NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System at any time.
  4. Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses affiliated under this process will not be entitled to any form of lift priority at any NISEKO UNITED ski area.
  5. NFP members may erect signage across the NISEKO UNITED resort area informing residents and guests of the benefits of the NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System and the advantages of engaging only properly affiliated instructors and guides.

Representative Qualification Requirement

2023-24
COUNTRYGROUP
OVSV
AUSTRIA
STAATLICHER
FRANCEFULL
AMSI
ITALY
3
DSLV
GERMANY
LEVEL 3
BASI
U・K
LEVEL 3
PSIA
U・S・A
LEVEL 3
CSIA
CANADA
LEVEL 3
ASAA
AUSTRALIA
LEVEL 3
NZSIA
NEW ZEALAND
LEVEL 3

※ SAJ and SIA (JPN) are accredited in accordance with the rules of each.
※ For certificates not listed above, we will confirm at the time of application.

Penalties for Prohibited Acts

6Penalties for Prohibited Acts
1)Violations against the terms of NISEKO UNITED Affiliation System
a)  
b) c) d)
1st timeStrict warning, submission of memorandum of understanding required
2nd timeUsage of all lift passes of the business to be suspended for 3 days
3rd timeWithdrawal of accreditation / Membership
※Not withstanding the above, cancellation of a membership may be possible in case the rule is violated in a severely malicious manner.
e) f)Confiscation of a pass for the staff (lift pass not to be issued the next season)
1st timeStrict warning, submission of memorandum of understanding required
2nd timeUsage of all lift passes of the business to be suspended for 3 days
3rd timeWithdrawal of accreditation / Membership
Penalty 100,000 yen + Compensation for unauthorized ride
※Not withstanding the above, cancellation of a membership may be possible in case the rule is violated in a severely malicious manner.
g) h) i)Withdrawal of accreditation / Membership
2)Violations against each ski resort’s regulations
1st time  Strict warning, submission of memorandum of understanding required 2nd time    Usage of all lift passes of the business to be suspended for 3 days 3rd time    Withdrawal of accreditation / Membership
3)Violations against Niseko United Rules
Confiscation of a pass for the staff (lift pass not to be issued the next season)
1st time  Strict warning, submission of memorandum of understanding required
2nd time    Usage of all lift passes of the business to be suspended for 3 days
3rd time    Withdrawal of accreditation / Membership
Penalty 100,000 yen + Compensation for unauthorized ride
※Not withstanding the above, cancellation of a membership may be possible in case the rule is violated in a severely malicious manner.

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