Payment Terms:
 

• Deposit: A deposit of 20% of the total invoice is required within seven days of booking to secure your reservation.
   

• Balance Due: The remaining 80% is due 30 days prior to the scheduled lesson or tour date.
   

• Short-Notice Bookings: For bookings made less than 30 days prior to the lesson or tour date, 100% of the payment is required at the time of booking.
   

• Payment Method: An invoice will be sent with a link to complete payment via our provider, Flywire.

 

​

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Cancellations must be communicated in writing. Refunds are calculated based on the time between your cancellation notice and the scheduled booking date:
 

 

Time Before Booking Date                Cancellation Fee                    Refund Amount

​

30+ Days                                               20% of total invoice              80% of total invoice

​

15 to 29 Days                                        50% of total invoice              50% of total invoice 

​

14 Days or Less                                     100% of total invoice            No refund available

​

 

• Discretionary Refunds: A 100% refund is only available at the strict discretion of Niseko Zen management for lessons/tours that have not yet commenced.
   

• Currency and Fees: All refunds will be processed in Japanese Yen (JPY). Exchange rates may vary from the time of original payment. Flywire, banking, or transfer processing fees will be deducted from the final refunded amount.

​

 

Weather and Operating Conditions:

 

• Extreme Weather Events: In the event of extreme weather causing resort closures or creating unsafe tour conditions, Niseko Zen will offer a reschedule, a "Culture Day" alternative, or an up to 80% refund for the affected lesson/tour. A full refund for a bad weather cancellation is only available for bookings of more than 1 day.
   

• Terrain Availability: No compensation or refund is available if suitable terrain remains accessible for the booked lesson or tour, even if specific lifts, resorts or upper mountains are closed.
   

• Culture Day Alternative: If mountain conditions are unsafe, guests may opt for a guided "Culture Day" exploring local sights (e.g., sightseeing, dining, onsen). Please note that personal expenses such as food, beverages, and entry fees during a Culture Day are the responsibility of the guest.
   

• Rescheduling: We allow one (1) reschedule to an available date within the same winter season, subject to our availability.

​​

​​

Inclusions and Exclusions:
 

• Lift Passes: Guest lift passes are not included in any lesson or guiding product. Guests must purchase passes separately for the duration of the lesson or guided product when accessing a resort area. No refunds are provided for unused portions of lift passes.
   

• Meals: Guest meals and beverages are not included in the guiding or lesson packages.
   

• Gear and Equipment: Guests must review the provided gear list for their specific service and arrive fully equipped. Any required rentals must be organized and collected prior to the tour's start time.
   

​​

Transport and Resort Policies:
 

• Niseko & Kutchan Pick-ups: Complimentary pick-up and drop-off services are included for Niseko-based services within the immediate Niseko and Kutchan town areas.
   

• Out-of-Area Transport: Pick-ups outside these designated zones are subject to availability and will incur additional costs.
   

• Hanazono Policy: Hanazono Resort requires guests to have previously ridden with their requested instructor or guide during a prior season with Niseko Zen.
   

• Niseko Village Policy: Pick-ups are strictly limited to the parking lot of each hotel within the Niseko Village area. Ski schools and guiding services are not permitted to enter hotel premises to assist guests or utilize hotel reception vehicle rotaries. We must transfer guests from these hotels to another ski area other than Niseko Village to start the day as per their policy.
   

• Rusutsu Policy: Special permission is required for pick-ups starting from the Rusutsu Resort Hotel or The Westin. Pick-ups originating in Rusutsu to ski at other resorts will incur additional travel costs starting from ¥15,000.

​

​​

Health, Fitness, and Insurance:
 

• Mandatory Insurance: Guests must possess comprehensive travel insurance that explicitly covers winter sports, backcountry travel (if applicable to the booked service), and emergency medical evacuation. Niseko Zen is not responsible for any medical, rescue, or evacuation costs.
   

• Health and Fitness Declaration: By booking with Niseko Zen, you confirm that you are in good physical health and have no medical conditions that would make participating in strenuous, high-altitude winter sports unsafe.

​

​​

Guest Conduct and Guide Authority:
 

• Guide Authority: The assigned guide or instructor has absolute authority to alter the itinerary or terminate the lesson/tour at any time for safety reasons.
   

• Right to Refuse: Niseko Zen reserves the right to refuse service or terminate a session immediately, without refund, if a guest acts recklessly, is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fails to follow safety instructions, or lacks the required physical fitness or skill level to safely complete the planned activity.
   

​​

Media and Photography:
 

• Media Usage: Any photography or videography captured by your guide during your tour may be used for Niseko Zen's online platforms and marketing unless the guest explicitly requests to opt out.
   

• Photography Service: For guests who purchase our photography service, the turnaround time for edited photos is up to 14 days.

​

​​

Rental Equipment:
 

• Lost or Damaged Equipment: Guests renting Niseko Zen’s equipment agree to personal liability for any equipment damaged or missing upon return. Please note replacing one ski, one binding etc is not possible, we must buy a replacement set. Niseko Zen will charge a replacement fee if the equipment is unable to be repaired economically as below: 

 

            - Replacement Ski - Pair: ¥100,000

            - Replacement Ski Binding - Pair: ¥50,000

​            - Replacement Splitboard: ¥110,000

            - Replacement Splitboard Bindings - Pair: ¥60,000

            - Replacement Skins - Set: ¥45,000

            - Replacement 3-piece pole - Pair: ¥30,000

            - Replacement Backpack: ¥30,000

            - Replacement Transceiver: ¥45,000

            - Replacement Probe: ¥10,000

            - Replacement Shovel: ¥10,000
 

•  If equipment repairs are required due to damages incurred by the guest the following maintenance rates apply:

            - Base Repair: ¥10,000

            - Edge Damage Repair: ¥10,000
 

​

Accident, Personal Liability, and Indemnity
 

• Acceptance of Risk: Skiing, snowboarding, and other mountain sports are high-risk wilderness activities. Niseko Zen and its employees, affiliates, and agents cannot be held liable for accidents, property damage, or injuries—including serious bodily harm or death—that occur before, during, or after your guide or tour.
   

• Indemnity Agreement: By participating in any Niseko Zen tour or lesson, you waive certain legal rights, including the right to sue or claim compensation. The term "wilderness activities" includes skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry travel, and any associated events.
   

• Guest Confirmation: You acknowledge the risks associated with wilderness activities. You confirm that you have read and understood these risks and freely accept them.
   

• Agreement Terms: By participating in Niseko Zen services, you agree to:

  • Not hold Niseko Zen legally responsible for incidents arising from the activity.

  • Not sue or make claims against Niseko Zen, its employees, affiliates, or agents.

  • Take full personal responsibility for any injuries or damages that might occur.
    
     

Legal and Administrative
 

• Force Majeure: Neither Niseko Zen nor the guest shall be held liable for any delay, cancellation, or failure to perform under these Terms and Conditions due to events beyond reasonable control. This includes, but is not limited to, acts of God, natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, snowstorms), war, civil unrest, strikes, pandemics, or government actions. Niseko Zen will make reasonable efforts to reschedule or provide alternative arrangements.
   

• Jurisdiction and Governing Law: These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan. Any disputes arising from or in connection with these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Hokkaido, Japan. By participating, you agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of these courts.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​