| Besides being a culturally and historically rich country, | | | | need to be cleared. A physically demanding position. A |
| Japan has some of the finest powder snow | | | | good job for beginners to learn Japanese. |
| conditions in the world! Every year, more and more | | | | Additional Duties: Greeting customers with a nice |
| foreign tourists are flocking to Japan's Ski fields | | | | smile and a friendly 'hello'. |
| every year. Try working and living on the slopes this | | | | 3. Restaurant |
| year, and you'll experience why, first-hand! This article | | | | Working Hours: A typical day starts at 6:00am and |
| details some of the many Ski jobs you could work in. | | | | finishes at 10:00pm. An average 9 hour shift (1 hour |
| Working in a Ski Resort gives you the chance to live, | | | | unpaid lunch break) covers two out of three meals |
| work, and breathe with Japanese people. Every day, | | | | (breakfast, lunch and dinner). |
| you'll be interacting with others of a similar age and | | | | Morning Preparation: Primary duties include briefly |
| interests - a love of the snow! You'll meet great new | | | | sweeping/vacuuming your work area each morning. |
| people, learn Japanese, and gain a unique insight into | | | | Most restaurants operate on a 'cashless' ticketing |
| authentic Japanese culture. You'll also be exposed to | | | | system - negating the need to fill cash registers with |
| nature, seclusion, and heart-warming hospitality. | | | | the days 'float'. |
| Please remember though, that you're going there to | | | | Regular Duties: Serving drinks and dishes to |
| work - you'll have the time of your life, as long as | | | | customers at their tables, clearing them away after |
| you're willing to work hard too. | | | | customers have finished, and wiping down tables in |
| There are many different types of Ski Jobs that you | | | | preparation for the next customers. Some of the ski |
| can do. The positions you'll be eligible for depend on | | | | resorts have self-serve facilities, whereby customers |
| your Japanese speaking ability. The positions listed | | | | serve themselves (leaving only the clearing of tables |
| below are in ascending order (easiest to hardest) of | | | | for restaurant staff). Showing customers to tables |
| Japanese ability required: | | | | and taking orders. Restaurant work may sometimes |
| 1. Ski Jump | | | | includes the serving of food onto dishes for |
| Working Hours: A typical day starts at 7:30am and | | | | customers, and even simple food preparation duties, |
| finishes at 5:00pm (1-1.5 hour unpaid lunch break). | | | | such as making hotdogs, sandwiches or pizzas. A |
| Overtime work is called 'Nighter' - hours are 5:30pm - | | | | good job for beginners to learn Japanese. |
| 9:00pm. | | | | Additional Duties: Greeting customers with a nice |
| Morning Preparation: Primary duties include clearing | | | | smile and a friendly 'hello'. |
| away snow after a big dump. Setting up guide ropes | | | | 4. Ski Rental |
| leading up onto the jump boarding ramp or steps. | | | | Working Hours: A typical day starts at 8:30am and |
| Regular Duties: Helping customers safely board the | | | | finishes at 5:30pm (1 hour unpaid lunch break). |
| lifts/steps to the top of the ski jump. Giving verbal | | | | Overtime work is called 'Nighter' - hours are 5:30pm - |
| instruction to customers who aren't familiar with ski | | | | 9:00pm. |
| jump facilities. In the event of heavy snowfall, lift | | | | Morning Preparation: Primary duties include briefly |
| paths may need to be cleared. A physically | | | | sweeping your work area each morning, and filling |
| demanding position. A good job for true beginners to | | | | cash registers with the days 'float'. |
| learn Japanese. | | | | Regular Duties: Helping customers with any queries |
| Additional Duties: Greeting customers with a nice | | | | and offering recommendations about Ski Equipment |
| smile and a friendly 'hello'. | | | | (eg. Skis, Snowboards etc). Briefing customers on the |
| 2. Lifts | | | | safety and handling of equipment. Taking customer |
| Working Hours: A typical day starts at 7:30am and | | | | details (name, address, contact numbers) when |
| finishes at 4:30 or 5:00pm (1-1.5 hour unpaid lunch | | | | organizing rental equipment. Ringing up customer |
| break). Overtime work is called 'Nighter' - hours are | | | | rental charges on the cash register and controlling |
| 5:30pm - 9:00pm. | | | | cash inflows-outflows (great care needs to be taken |
| Morning Preparation: Primary duties include clearing | | | | in giving the correct change to customers). |
| away snow from around the boarding ramp onto the | | | | Helping customers choose appropriate sized |
| lift, and wiping off snow that has settled on the lift | | | | equipment (according to body weight and height, |
| seats overnight. Guide ropes leading up onto the lift | | | | etc.). Adjusting stances on skis/boards to suit boot |
| boarding ramp will sometimes need to be erected. | | | | sizes. Waxing of skis/boards and general maintenance |
| Regular Duties: Checking customer tickets and clipping | | | | of equipment. Collecting rental gear from customers |
| if required. Helping customers safely board the lifts - | | | | at the end of each work day and checking stock |
| giving verbal instruction to customers who aren't | | | | levels to make sure all rental equipment has been |
| familiar with riding lifts. Stopping lifts in case of | | | | returned. Closing and balancing cash registers at the |
| emergency. On snowy days lift seats will need to be | | | | end of the work day. A good job for |
| regularly cleaned (brushed) before customers sit | | | | beginner-intermediates to learn Japanese. |
| down. In the event of heavy snowfall, lift paths may | | | | |