Replying to 19/20 Japan Season
Wassup NS,
I'm graduating in June and after a summer of earning some money at home I'm planning on spending the winter in Japan (hopefully chase winter to NZ after). I am asking for some general advice but here is where I stand at the moment.
I have done a season in Whistler 15/16 (shoulda done two but got this stupid degree didn't I?) and I worked for this ski school there. Whilst I loved the job I definitely envied how much my friends managed to ski for themselves whilst I was teaching. Don't get me wrong it's the best job in the world but I went there to ski and ski teaching is a different ball game.
So my first questions are job related:
What jobs do people recommend getting?
Where is best to look for jobs online?
How easy is it to get jobs/do I need one before I go?
Secondly is more where to go. My instincts/some friend knowledge is pointing me at Rusutsu and/or Hakuba as I hear Niseko is a bit too like Japan's Whistler / generally super busy on pow days. and I kinda want a more authentic experience/have already done a rowdy ski town. Although not averse to the idea. Is there anywhere else that would be a good place to look or any compelling arguments on the Rusutsu v Hakuba question?
Finally, like all ski towns accommodation can be few and far between so is there a best practice for this? I understand again working for mountains you might end up with staff housing and stuff like that which in my experience is a laugh but how easy is it to organise before you arrive/how early does it need to be done?
My main goal for this season is to meet a good crew and do a fair bit of backcountry stuff and also shoot a heap of photos and videos and generally gorge myself on Ramen. Gonna be working all summer so should have a few thousand pounds saved up before I got and want to spend some time in Tokyo before heading to resort.
TL:DR give me your Japow tips!
P.S if you're planning a season out there hmu!
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