Question 1

Where can I rent backcountry gear ( avalanche safety equipment, snowshoes, touring skis or a splitboard) in Otaru?

Accepted Answer

Otaru currently has no powder / backcountry equipment rental shop. However, we rent out avalanche packs with backpack, shovel, probe, transceiver for 7,000 yen per day. If you are booking in combination with our guiding, the rate is 5,000 yen per day.

We will open a fully equipped backcountry rental shop in time for the 26/27 winter season.

Otaru Powder Guides https://www.otarupowderguides.com/   have a limited inventory of beacon / shovel / probe kits and snowshoes as well.

A more complete list of all BC rental shops in Hokkaido can be found here: https://hokkaidowilds.org/backcountry-gear-repair-and-rental-in-niseko

Question 2

I need to buy equipment or clothing in Otaru, where is a good shop?

Accepted Answer

Otaru: 
Alpen https://share.google/joKvjoKMFHlEORt9l 
2nd Street (thrift / op shop) https://share.google/JhCvTLkgIeDCkz4Q8

Kiroro: Vainqueur (Moutain Centre https://www.kiroro.co.jp/mountaincenter/)

Hirafu: https://rhythmjapan.com/

Kutchan: https://share.google/OgOY4Eq7QLQHkxxE4

Sapporo:
Paddle Club: https://www.paddleclub.net/
Murasaki Hassamu: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DPWTxsdqBH9xSvLVA 
Murasaki Parco (centre): https://maps.app.goo.gl/W1j3frqmZAx633AH6

If you want to buy something specific, ask us and we will advice where you have the best chance of finding it.

Question 3

Where can I rent powder skis / snowboard in Otaru?

Accepted Answer

If you are riding Kiroro, the Mountain Centre rental shop has good powder ski and boards. This cannot be reserved online; you have to go in person. However, you can reserve regular rental online ( https://webstore.kiroro.co.jp/en/ ) and then upgrade once you arrive to the mountain centre. Kiroro has a reasonably large inventory; if you arrive early it is likely they will have what you're looking for.

If you are staying in Otaru / Zenibako / Teine, Sotorent is a good option: https://en.soto.rent/rental/ski-snowbord/. 	Powder equipment is called 'premium' equipment. Sotorent also rent backcountry equipment.

Question 4

How can I make a booking enquiry?

Accepted Answer

You can use this link to our booking portal: https://otaruadventure.bookfast.jp/public/booking/order02.jsf?vid=8a80818a91dd346e0191dedcf3cd74d2

If you are struggling with the booking portal (we know it's not the smoothest, sorry!) please send an email to otaruadventure.snowsportschool@gmail.com

Subject line: 'Booking Enquiry [Snowboard / Ski / Guiding] [start date of booking]'

Please include: 
- Confirm discipline (ski or snowboard) 
- Desired dates, morning, afternoon or full day 
- First and last name of all participants 
- Dates of birth of all participants 
- Whatsapp contact number
- Desired ski area / meeting point (https://www.otaruadventure.com/meetingpoints)  
- Ability level (https://www.otaruadventure.com/whatlevelami)

Our team will create the booking manually and you will receive confirmation via email.

Question 5

Is equipment included in the cost of the lesson?

Accepted Answer

For lessons and guiding, equipment is not included. We strongly suggest you arrive to your lesson with your equipment ready to go.  As part of a private lesson, your instructor can accompany you to rentals and assist with your equipment at the start of your lesson if you wish.

- Kiroro Mountain Centre Rentals: https://webstore.kiroro.co.jp/en/ (Good for premium / powder gear) 
- Asarigawaonsen: https://asari-ski.com/en/rental/ 
- Sapporo Kokusai: https://www.sapporo-kokusai.jp/en/webshop/ 
- Tenguyama: Enquire at the ski area (rental opens 09:00) 
- Onze: (Good if you are staying in Zenibako) https://onze.jp/rental/ 
- Otaru Wing Bay: https://visit-kitashiri.com/en/ski-otaru
- Sotorent (Good if you are staying in Teine / western Sapporo / Zenibako, reasonable powder equipment) https://en.soto.rent/

Question 6

I have a made a booking, where can I find information about it?

Accepted Answer

All information that we have about your booking can be access by clicking 'View my booking' in the booking confirmation emails. The information you can see there is the same information that our team will be working off.  Please check that the booking information is correct as soon as you receive it, and notify us of any mistakes. If you have questions about any of the details, such as about meeting points, please first refer to the FAQs and then contact us.

If you need to make an amendment to our booking, please contact us as soon as possible via email at otaruadventure.snowsportschool@gmail.com. Please note we will try our best to make amendments, but this will be subject to availability. Last minute amendment enquiries, particularly during high season of December - February, may not be accessed by our team before your lesson start time.

Question 7

Is a lift pass included in the lesson price?

Accepted Answer

For lessons & guiding bookings, lift passes are not included.

Where to buy lift tickets for Otaru Ski Areas?

- For Kiroro lift tickets can be bought online here: https://webstore.kiroro.co.jp/en/. 
- For Sapporo Kokusai lift tickets can be bought online here: https://webket.jp/pc/agent/index?fc=00323&ac=1591 
- For Asarigawaonsen lift tickets can be bought online here: 
https://www.trip.com/travel-guide/attraction/otaru/asarigawaonsen-ski-resort-71530477/?locale=en_xx&curr=USD&allianceid=6223414&sid=191731653 
For Onze and Otaru Tenguyama, lift passes can be bought at the counters at the ski areas.

Question 8

What should I wear for my ski or snowboard lesson?

Accepted Answer

To stay warm and comfortable on the slopes, here's what we recommend:
Thermal underwear (we suggest merino wool)
Ski trousers and a ski jacket
Warm mid-layers like fleeces or jackets
Ski gloves or mittens to keep your hands protected & warm 
A helmet 
A scarf, buff, or similar to shield your face from the cold
Goggles (make sure they fit over your glasses if you wear them)
What not to wear:
Jeans (inside or outside of your ski trousers)
More than one pair of socks
Non-waterproof outer clothing
Non-waterproof gloves

It's especially important for children and older adults to be dressed appropriately to ensure they stay warm and safe throughout the day. By gearing up right, you'll make sure everyone has a more enjoyable and safe experience on the mountain!

Question 9

Do you do kid's group lessons?

Accepted Answer

We do not currently run kids' group lessons, but hoping to in the future. You can book a private lesson for you children. The minimum ages are 3 for skiing and 7 for snowboarding.

Question 10

Are there any age restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for group lessons the minimum age is 13.

For ski private lessons the minimum age is 4, and for snowboard it is 7.

For younger children, we offer a 'Minis' short private lesson. This can be booked through the booking portal: https://otaruadventure.bookfast.jp/public/booking/order02.jsf?vid=8a80818a91dd346e0191dedcf3cd74d2

There is no minimum age for Powder Guiding & Technique; however these lessons are only for people who have a reasonable level of skiing and snowboarding and are confident moving around the mountain and in deep snow. Relative to younger kids and smaller people, the snow is always deeper, and this should be taken into account.

Question 11

How many people will be in my group lesson?

Accepted Answer

There will be a maximum of six people in each group lesson.

Question 12

I need to cancel my ski lesson, do I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

If you cancel 30 days or more in advance of your lesson date, we can issue a refund of 100% of your booking price. If you cancel 14 days or more in advance of your lesson date, we can issue a refund of 50% of your booking price.

If you need to cancel at short notice due to health or travel problems, you need to claim this through your insurance. We may be able to help you provide a record of the circumstances for your insurance claim; please get in touch and we will try to help.

Question 13

What happens if I am the only person that shows up for my group lesson?

Accepted Answer

If you are the only attendee to a group lesson at Kiroro, your lesson will be automatically upgraded to a 2-hour private lesson starting at the time is says on your confirmation email. You will have the option to extend this to a 4-hour private lesson.

Question 14

Where should I meet my instructor?

Accepted Answer

If you already have a booking confirmed, check the confirmation email. It will tell you the name of the meeting point. Once you have the name, follow this link for a detailed explaination of the location

If you haven't booked your lesson yet and aren't sure which ski area you want to have a lesson at, just send us a message on here or via email and we will do our best to help.

Question 15

What is a Powder Guiding & Technique Lessson, and what is the difference between Lift Accessed and Backcountry?

Accepted Answer

Our Powder Guiding & Technique Lessons are for those who want to ride outside of the marked courses. The off-piste experience in Hokkaido is world class, in comparison to the mellow and short vertical groomers, and it is the reason our ski school came into existance.

We offer two experiences:

Lift Accessed Powder Guiding 
If you have some good experience riding, but are new to riding powder, want to experience powder in a relatively controlled environment or do not have a very high level of fitness, and want to maximise your turn count, this is for you.

These lessons are for you to hone your skills in deep powder and complex terrain, and to find the best snow in the resort.  If you are hoping to leave the resort boundary,  you will need to bring avalanche safety equipment with you.

Backcountry Guiding 
This experience is for those who want to travel uphill on their own two feet, immerse themselves in nature and in the mountains and find untouched snow.

Whether you are new to touring, or are an experienced athlete looking to access the best zones around Kiroro, Kokusai and Otaru, our internationally certified guides have you covered.

Question 16

Do you offer any packages / promotions / discounts?

Accepted Answer

Promotions

We have two special spring rate for all ski lessons and guiding: prices during March are 15% lower than during the main season, and pricing during April are 25% lower.

Packages

We are running a ski package holiday at Kiroro ski area from the 14th-21st of March, during Singapore School Holidays. More details can be found here: https://www.otaruadventure.com/marchkirorofamilyskiholidaypackage

Equipment and lift passes

We are hoping to cooperate with the various ski areas on rental and lift pass packages in the future, and are awaiting further discussion on this.

Accommodation

We work closely with Margo's Garden https://www.margosgarden.com/ . If you are staying at here, you are entitled to a 10% discount. Please send us evidence of your booking with Margo's Garden and we will apply the discount manually.

We also work closely with YuKiroro https://yukiroro.com/ . We do not have any discount agreements with YuKiroro, but are hoping to establish this in future.

Big groups / long bookings

If you are booking multiple instructors and / or across multiple days, please enquire; we may be able to offer a small discretionary discount.

Question 17

Do I need to buy a lift pass for the ski or snowboard lesson?

Accepted Answer

First timers

If anyone in your lesson group is a first timer, you will not start in terrain that you need a lift pass to access. This means at the beginning of the lesson, you won't need a lift pass. Depending on how your group progresses, and how much time you have, you may need a lift pass later in the lesson. At most ski areas this can be bought at the counter, but please be aware this will take up lesson time.

Beginners

It is highly probably you will need a lift pass. You may need to spend some time on flat / walking terrain to refresh your basic skills and regain confidence, at your instructor's discretion. However, if you have ridden a lift in the past, or recently had a first timer lesson, it is pretty safe to assume you will need one.

Intermediate+

You will definitely be needing a lift pass.

Please note we use the ability scale listed here: https://www.otaruadventure.com/whatlevelami

Where to buy lift tickets?

- For Kiroro lift tickets can be bought online here: https://webstore.kiroro.co.jp/en/. 
- For Sapporo Kokusai lift tickets can be bought online here: https://webket.jp/pc/agent/index?fc=00323&ac=1591 
- For Asarigawaonsen lift tickets can be bought online here: 
https://www.trip.com/travel-guide/attraction/otaru/asarigawaonsen-ski-resort-71530477/?locale=en_xx&curr=USD&allianceid=6223414&sid=191731653 
For Onze and Otaru Tenguyama, lift passes can be bought at the counters at the ski areas.

Question 18

I have a question that isn't answered here, please can you help?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Please send an email to otaruadventure.snowsportschool@gmail.com and include your question, name and whatsapp contact number.

Question 19

Can I contact Otaru Adventure via Whatsapp?

Accepted Answer

You can reach Otaru Adventure via whatsapp on +81 70 8517 7973.

Question 20

Is Otaru Adventure a registered company in Japan? Are all of Otaru Adventure's instructors working legally in Japan and certified as instructing proffessionals?

Accepted Answer

Otaru Adventure is a brand name of Hopi Hills K.K., a company based at Margo's Garden farm at Kiroro. Hopi Hills has been active in Kiroro, Niseko and Otaru since 2017. Otaru Adventure's registered business address is that of Hopi Hills; 356-1 Aza Tokiwa, Akaigawa Mura, Yoichi Gun, 046-0571.

Otaru Adventure holds itself to the highest standards of compliance and respect for Japanese laws and public procedures mandated at the national, prefectural and local levels. All of our team have appropriate visas to work in Japan, and all of our instructors are certified with an internationally recognised instructing body.