The Niseko Free Passport Committee (NFP) has determined that Snowsports Schools (Ski and Snowboard) and Guiding businesses not directly aligned to or owned by an NFP member lift company must now become formally affiliated by the NFP in order to use the NISEKO UNITED (Annupuri, Niseko Village, Grand Hirafu, Hanazono) lift network. The aim is to ensure that the quality of ski field experience in Niseko continues to improve and that the enjoyment and safety of guests is maintained at all times.
As such, the NFP has established a formal NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System for third-party Snowsports Schools and/or Guiding businesses (i.e. those not owned or directly associated with NFP members) in order to become recognized as a NISEKO UNITED Affiliated Snowsports and Guiding School.
Please note that it is not possible to operate a Snowsports School or Guiding business within the NISEKO UNITED ski resort boundary without becoming formally affiliated by the NFP.
Any group, business or person which is employed by, or intends to operate, a Snowsports School or Guiding business (which includes a guided photography business) within the NISEKO UNITED ski area for financial reward.
The NFP members have determined that the following affiliation requirements will be implemented.
(1) NISEKO UNITED Commercial Season Pass for 2023-2024
① 308,000 yen (including consumption tax) for instructors and guides who are not members of the Niseko Winter Guiding Association (NWGA).
② 140,000 yen (including consumption tax) for instructors and guides who are members of the Niseko Winter Guiding Association(NWGA) and also for guided photography business operators.
-> Those who wish to perform snowsports lessons within Niseko United ski area must purchase the ① NISEKO UNITED Commercial Season Pass.
*Charges will be applied for the below with commercial passes:
– Change of a pass holder’s name : 20,000 yen /card
– Reissuance of card in case of loss : 2,500 yen /card (deposit will be collected newly)
(2) NISEKO UNITED commercial season passes will be issued to individuals with the individuals’ name and photograph embedded in the pass. NISEKO UNITED commercial season passes are not transferable.
(3) For 2023-2024 season, NFP will introduce a NISEKO UNITED Five-day Commercial Pass for 71,300 yen (including tax). Key points to note about this pass are:
Applicant Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses will be required to submit a NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System application in the required format not later than one week prior to the intended commencement of the applicant’s Snowsports School or Guiding business. The applicant must submit their application to the NISEKO UNITED NFP member where they will most frequently start or operate from.
Application requirements are as follows:
The NFP member which originally received the applicant’s application must be immediately advised of any changes/updates to an applicant’s business and staff levels.
Please note that affiliation of applicants will be at the sole discretion of NFP members. Once affiliated, applicants will then be able to purchase NISEKO UNITED Commercial Lift Passes for all staff members (in uniform) and instructors and guides as shown in the applicant’s application.
(1) Violations against the terms of NISEKO UNITED Affiliation System
a) Solicitation or engagement in any form of publicity for business, or placing flags or signs to indicate the meeting place within a NISEKO UNITED ski area and its facilities.
b) To conduct lessons or guiding services without wearing the designated Snowsports School or Guiding business uniforms as advised to the NFP.
c) Inability of the Japanese speaking contact person to respond to emergency calls.
d) Inability of the owner or head of the ski school / Guiding services to be present in the Niseko area throughout the whole season without any special reasons.
e) To use ski passes other than the commercial passes when working.
f) Transferring or lending of the NISEKO UNITED Commercial Season Pass to others.
g) To use Hanazono and Niseko village ski areas and all the facilities such as rental shops and the hotels or advertise as a meeting place or as a starting point of lessons under any circumstances.
h) Making a false report on the application.
i) Violations of Japanese law.
(2)Violations against each ski resort’s regulations
Regulations vary, please check with each ski resort for details.
(3) Violations against Niseko United Rules
*Penalties for prohibited acts are listed in the List of Penalties for Prohibited Acts.
Affiliation will not be required under the following circumstances:
The NFP members understand that eligible Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses expect that their investment in commercial lift passes is respected and protected. As such, the Lift Pass Observers may check the lift passes whether correct lift passes are being used in the correct situations. These Observers will be each carry a “hand-scanner”, which will be able to remotely determine:
The hand-scanner will be able to store this data for downloading and future reference.
If the Observer believes that an incorrect lift ticket is being used, the affected person will be handed a copy of a “Consultation Request” document, together with reference to the NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System. There shall be no further in-situ engagement or confrontation with that person. It is then incumbent on that person to arrange a meeting with an NFP member within 48 hours of detection to prove that the correct lift pass is in use.
If that person does not arrange a meeting within 48 hours, then their lift pass will be automatically cancelled.
Providing that the person responds within 48 hours and attends the meeting, then the following outcomes will be possible:
(1) If the NFP member determines that the person is not teaching or guiding for financial reward, then nothing occurs.
(2) If NFP member believes that the person is teaching or guiding for financial reward, then:
・That person will be invited to apply through the NISEKO UNITED Snowsports & Guiding School Affiliation System to become a NISEKO UNITED Affiliated Snowsports & Guiding School. Once approved, the cost of that person’s lift ticket may be used as a partial credit towards the purchase of a NISEKO UNITED Commercial Lift Pass.
・If the person cannot (or chooses not to) meet the requirements to become a NISEKO UNITED Affiliated Snowsports & Guiding School, then that person will be warned not to teach or guide further (first warning). That person will be required to sign a “Personal Declaration” document that they are not participating in the business of a Snowsports & Guiding School and that, if they are informed upon again and an NFP member is satisfied that the person is teaching or guiding for financial reward, their existing lift ticket will immediately be cancelled with no refund.
If a person is reported for the second time, then the following will occur:
Providing that person responds within 48 hours and attends the meeting, then the following outcomes will be possible:
(1) If NFP determines that the person is not teaching or guiding for financial reward, then nothing occurs.
(2) If NFP member determines that the person is teaching or guiding for financial reward, then that person’s lift pass will be cancelled immediately with no refund.
Affiliated Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses should note that if any of their staff members are caught without the correct lift pass and/or badge, the NFP reserves the right to cancel all lift passes issued to that Snowsports School or Guiding business, without refund.
Affiliated Snowsports Schools and Guiding businesses are encouraged to identify persons they believe are operating illegally to the NFP Lift Pass Observers. The Lift Pass Observers will then gather data on those individuals’ lift passes and report the lift pass details to NFP members.
2023-24 | |
COUNTRY | GROUP |
OVSV AUSTRIA | STAATLICHER |
FRANCE | FULL |
AMSI ITALY | 3 |
DSLV GERMANY | LEVEL 3 |
BASI U・K | LEVEL 3 |
PSIA U・S・A | LEVEL 3 |
CSIA CANADA | LEVEL 3 |
ASAA AUSTRALIA | LEVEL 3 |
NZSIA NEW ZEALAND | LEVEL 3 |
※ SAJ and SIA (JPN) are accredited in accordance with the rules of each.
※ For certificates not listed above, we will confirm at the time of application.
6 | Penalties for Prohibited Acts | |||
1) | Violations against the terms of NISEKO UNITED Affiliation System | |||
a) b) c) d) | 1st time | Strict warning, submission of memorandum of understanding required | ||
2nd time | Usage of all lift passes of the business to be suspended for 3 days | |||
3rd time | Withdrawal of accreditation / Membership | |||
※Not withstanding the above, cancellation of a membership may be possible in case the rule is violated in a severely malicious manner. | ||||
e) f) | Confiscation of a pass for the staff (lift pass not to be issued the next season) | |||
1st time | Strict warning, submission of memorandum of understanding required | |||
2nd time | Usage of all lift passes of the business to be suspended for 3 days | |||
3rd time | Withdrawal of accreditation / Membership | |||
Penalty 100,000 yen + Compensation for unauthorized ride | ||||
※Not withstanding the above, cancellation of a membership may be possible in case the rule is violated in a severely malicious manner. | ||||
g) h) i) | Withdrawal of accreditation / Membership | |||
2) | Violations against each ski resort’s regulations | |||
1st time Strict warning, submission of memorandum of understanding required 2nd time Usage of all lift passes of the business to be suspended for 3 days 3rd time Withdrawal of accreditation / Membership | ||||
3) | Violations against Niseko United Rules | |||
Confiscation of a pass for the staff (lift pass not to be issued the next season) 1st time Strict warning, submission of memorandum of understanding required 2nd time Usage of all lift passes of the business to be suspended for 3 days 3rd time Withdrawal of accreditation / Membership Penalty 100,000 yen + Compensation for unauthorized ride ※Not withstanding the above, cancellation of a membership may be possible in case the rule is violated in a severely malicious manner. |
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