Terms & Conditions

Last updated: 19 October 2026

These terms apply to every booking with Summit Ski School Japan (“Summit”, “we”, “us”), including lessons, day guiding, backcountry guiding, multi-day tours, concierge services and equipment rentals. By making a booking or a payment, you agree to these terms on behalf of yourself and everyone in your group.

Jump to deposits & cancellation

1. Who we are

Summit Ski School Japan is operated by RedFox GK (Godo Kaisha), 3513-2 Nunobe Shigaichi, Furano, Hokkaido 076-0004, Japan. We have offices in Kutchan (Niseko) and at the Fenix West Hotel (Furano).

Email: info@summitski.jp · Phone / WhatsApp: +81 90 8036 9012

2. Making a booking

• You can book through our online booking system (RoomBoss), by email, by phone or in person. There is no online payment — we confirm every booking manually.
• All bookings are requests until we confirm them by email, WhatsApp or through RoomBoss.
• Bookings made 3 or more days in advance are normally confirmed within 48 hours. For bookings less than 3 days ahead, please contact us by phone or email.
• Rental equipment is subject to availability and is not guaranteed until confirmed by email. Equipment cannot be booked through RoomBoss. Booking equipment together with a lesson or guide gives you the best chance of getting what you need.
• The person making the booking is responsible for making sure everyone in their group has read and accepts these terms.

3. Prices and payment

• All prices are quoted and invoiced in Japanese yen (JPY) by RedFox GK.
• Unless otherwise agreed, lessons and day guiding are paid in full at the time of booking. Full payment is always due before the lesson, guided day or tour begins.
• Cash: at our Furano office, before or at the start of the day. Fenix hotel guests may also pay at the Furano office.
• Credit card: please contact us to arrange. Card processing fees apply and are payable by you.
• Bank transfer: our bank details are shown on your invoice. Please include your booking number in the transfer description. International transfers must come from an account in the same name as the invoice, or the bank may reject them. You are responsible for all banking fees, including up to ¥3,000 charged on international transfers.

4. Deposits and cancellation

Lessons and day guiding

• Full payment is due at booking.
• If you cancel, 20% of the booking value is a non-refundable deposit. This deposit can be transferred to another date if you tell us at least 30 days before your start date.

Private multi-day tours

• 50% deposit at booking; the remaining 50% is due 30 days before the start date.
• If you cancel, 30% of the tour price is non-refundable. Once the tour has started, 100% is non-refundable.

Group multi-day tours

• A deposit of ¥250,000 per person secures your place. The balance is invoiced 30 days before the start date.
• If you cancel, the ¥250,000 deposit is non-refundable.

Cancellation charges

If you cancel, the following charges apply (in addition to the non-refundable deposits above, where higher):

• 30 days or more before your start date: the deposit is forfeited, but can be transferred to a later date or the following season.
• 8–29 days before: 50% of the total booking value.
• 7 days or less before: 100% of the total booking value.
• Last-minute bookings (made less than 3 days ahead): 100% non-refundable once confirmed.

Travel bans and mandatory quarantine

If a government travel ban prevents travel to or from Japan or your home country, or a quarantine of 3 days or more becomes mandatory, these options replace the charges above:

• 60 days or more before your start date: 100% of payments transferable to the following season, or a refund less 20% (the 20% can be held as credit for a future booking).
• 30–59 days before: 50% of payments transferable to the following season, or a refund less 50%.
• Less than 30 days before: 25% of payments transferable to the following season, or a refund less 75%.

If a booking secured only by a deposit is cancelled in two consecutive seasons, that deposit becomes non-refundable and non-transferable.

Refunds

Eligible refunds are paid within 2–6 weeks, less any non-refundable amounts, cancellation charges and bank fees.

5. Changes or cancellation by Summit

• We may cancel a lesson or guided day before it is confirmed to run, or because of circumstances beyond our control, including political, social or environmental events. You can choose another available day or a full refund for that day. If the new day costs less, we refund the difference; if it costs more, you pay the difference.
• Our guides and instructors may change the location, route or plan on the day — or end the day early — for safety, weather, snow or avalanche conditions. Their decision is final and is not grounds for a refund.
• We are not liable for incidental costs such as flights, accommodation, visas or equipment purchases.

6. What is not refundable

We do not give refunds or compensation for missed reservations, late arrival, early departure, bad weather, poor snow, high avalanche danger, lift closures or other events outside our control.

7. Illness or injury

A refund for illness or injury is only possible if you tell us before the lesson or guided day starts and we receive a medical certificate from a local doctor in Japan within 24 hours of the scheduled start time.

8. Group sizes

• Lessons: 1 instructor to 4 participants. Up to 6 participants is possible for an additional ¥15,000 per extra person.
• Guiding: strictly 1 guide to 5 participants. Larger groups need a second (tail) guide at extra cost. Maximum group size is 8 participants with 2 guides.

9. Lessons

• Lift passes are required at all resorts and are not included in our prices.
• Please arrive on time with your equipment and lift pass ready. Lessons and tours are not extended or rescheduled for late arrival.
• The lesson location is set at booking. Changes are subject to availability. Lessons cannot start in Niseko Village, and Hanazono lessons need prior confirmation.
• Private lessons:
  • May be transferred to another person with at least 24 hours’ notice, subject to availability.
  • Full-day lessons run for 6 continuous hours, with a flexible start between 8:30 and 10:30 am and a break of at least 30 minutes at a time you choose. Lunch is not included.
  • All participants must be of a similar ability and on the same equipment — skiers and snowboarders cannot be mixed.
  • Mixed-age lessons that include children under 6 need manager approval. Children under 3 have one-on-one lessons only.
  • We will try to meet requests for a specific instructor, but cannot guarantee them — including the same instructor across a multi-day booking with different start times or rest days.

10. Guiding, backcountry and multi-day tours

• Skiing and snowboarding — especially off-piste and in the backcountry — carry real risks, including avalanches, falls, tree wells, collisions and changing weather. You take part knowing and accepting these risks.
• You must honestly tell us your ability, fitness and any medical conditions that may affect you, and follow your guide’s instructions at all times.
• Avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel and probe) is required for backcountry days. You can rent it from us.
• Multi-day tours are quoted individually. Accommodation, transport, restaurants, lift passes and other services we arrange for you are provided by third parties and are subject to their own terms.

11. Equipment rentals

• We rent backcountry and touring equipment only: touring skis, splitboards, snowshoes, avalanche safety equipment and airbags. We do not rent standard resort skis or snowboards.
• Equipment is collected from and returned to our Niseko (Kutchan) or Furano (Fenix West Hotel) shops. One-way rentals between Niseko and Furano are available by arrangement.
• Please check your equipment when you collect it and tell us straight away about any problem. You must know how to use any avalanche safety equipment you rent; ask us if you would like a refresher.
• You are responsible for the equipment from collection until it is returned. Loss, theft or damage beyond normal wear is charged at the cost of repair or replacement.
• Late returns may be charged at the daily rental rate.

12. Participant agreement and insurance

• Everyone taking part in a lesson or guided day must complete our Participant Agreement before the day or before the first lift. If a participant does not sign it, payment for the booking is taken as acceptance of the agreement and these terms.
• You must hold valid travel insurance that covers skiing and snowboarding accidents and injuries — including off-piste and backcountry activity if you are booking guiding.

13. Our liability

To the extent permitted by law, Summit and its staff are not liable for loss or theft of personal property, or for accidents, injury or death arising from the inherent risks of skiing and snowboarding. Nothing in these terms limits our liability where the law does not allow it, including for loss caused by our wilful misconduct or gross negligence.

14. Photos

Our guides and instructors sometimes take photos and video during the day. We may share them with you and, with your permission, use them on our website and social media. See our Privacy Policy for how we handle personal information.

15. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of Japan. Any dispute will be handled by the Asahikawa District Court as the court of first instance.

16. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. The version published on this page when you book applies to your booking.

Questions? Email info@summitski.jp.