BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
The VIBE logo ensures that you are booking with professionals who are legal, insured, experienced, and committed to Hokkaido and its people and landscape.
With the rise of illegal guiding and instructing in Hokkaido, it’s more important than ever that guests understand the risks of booking non-accredited instructors or guides. Many individuals arrive in Japan without valid working visas, with limited knowledge of local culture or mountain conditions, and operate outside legal and safety standards.
Booking such guides is not only unsafe—it is also illegal and harmful to local communities and economies. It can also damage the reputation of licensed foreign instructors and guides within the local community.
What the Hokkaido Vibe logo stands for?
Look for the logos! The Vibe logo on a professional’s uniform, or the Vibe logo on a member’s website or booking page, shows that this individual meets our rigorous standards outlined below.
Legal & Compliant in Japan
Legal to Work in Japan – All of our instructors and guides hold valid Japanese work visas. Obtaining these visas is a time-consuming and costly process that only legitimate operators complete. The very fact that our team holds a legal working status confirms they have met the Japanese immigration department’s qualification standards.
Tax Compliant – Every team member is either employed by Hokkaido Vibe or files personal tax returns in Japan. Your booking directly supports local towns and communities.
Resort Registered – We are officially registered to teach and guide at Niseko United and Rusutsu under their commercial programs.
Safety & Professional Standards
Fully Insured – All instructors and guides are fully insured to legally provide snowsports services in Japan.
Local Knowledge – Our team understands local emergency systems and cultural protocols, ensuring smooth communication and response.
Language Support – Many of our team members are fluent in Japanese; those who are not have immediate access to translation and support in emergencies.
Guiding Standards – Strict limits are placed on guiding based on avalanche training, first-aid certification, experience, and internal assessment.
Qualified Instructors – All instructors hold internationally recognized teaching certifications.
Trust & Transparency
Transparent Pricing – Clear, upfront rates. Our prices are benchmarked against the market—we deliberately charge just under the market rate while providing what we consider equal, if not better, services based on our local knowledge and experience.
Financial Security – If an instructor or guide is unable to provide a service due to injury or unforeseen circumstances, we have systems in place to support the professional, arrange a replacement, or provide a refund if required.
Local Commitment
Our team lives in or has long-term ties to Japan. Income earned stays in Hokkaido, strengthening the communities we work in.
We partner with local resorts, businesses, and residents to ensure our presence benefits the region.
Dedicated to sustainable and environmentally respectful practices.
join us on the mountain
Tailored ski and snowboard lessons to guided backcountry adventures and mindful snowshoe journeys, our expert guides and instructors lead and teach—helping you build skills as you explore. Improve, discover, and immerse yourself this winter.
Feel your Hokkaido Vibe