10 Years of GoSnow

Known as Gondola Snowsports, our story began in 2014 with 51 passionate instructors ready to introduce our guests to the joy of skiing and snowboarding. In this inaugural season, Gondola Snowsports was launched, with lesson offerings that included Ninja Kids, Yama Riders, Adult Group, and Private Lessons.

In our second season in 2015, our team had doubled in size, with just over 100 instructors. Workshops and Powderguiding products were introduced to enhance our guests' experience and expand our offerings to advanced level skiers and riders. Our team size then doubled again in time for the 2016 season. With 200 instructors on board, we also expanded our operational area to include the Family Base, and we added the Ninja Kids Magic Carpet area at the Gondola Base.

The 2017/18 season marked a significant change as we changed our name from Gondola Snowsports to GoSnow. Our team grew once again to 215 instructors, and our facilities expanded with a new sales desk and locker room at Family Base. The opening of the Ace Family Quad Chairlift further enhanced the learning space, allowing us to better serve our guests throughout the entire Hirafu area.

Our team numbers surged once again, with 260 instructors in the 2018/19 season, and we reached our peak of 280 instructors in the 2019/20 season. This year also saw our new base of operations launch at the newly constructed Mountain Center Annex. Featuring a sales desk and a dedicated Ninja Kids Room, our facilities continued to improve to meet the needs of our expanding team and guests.

Despite global travel restrictions and Japan's borders being closed to international tourism, we remained operational with a small but dedicated team. Those who were able to visit Niseko were treated to two exceptional winter seasons, enjoying incredible snowfall and the rare experience of virtually empty slopes. However, we missed our international guests and were eager for the borders to reopen so we could resume full operations once again.

With Japan's borders reopening and international tourism back on the horizon, Japan once again became a sought-after destination for skiers and snowboarders as they flocked back to Japan to enjoy the world-renowned Niseko powder snow. The 2022/23 and 2023/24 winter seasons saw a revival of excitement and energy, even though our team was smaller, with around 120 staff each season. Despite the reduced numbers, our staff were no less enthusiastic, bringing their passion and dedication to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for our guests. The post-pandemic era marked not just a return to operations, but a renewal of our commitment to delivering exceptional service and unforgettable memories on the slopes.

As we enter our 10th year of operations with a dedicated team of 150 instructors, we're gearing up to welcome guests from around the globe for the 2024/25 winter season. This season brings added excitement with the introduction of the Ace Gondola, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing upgrades at Grand Hirafu Resort. We're committed to growing as a company and continuously enhancing the experience we offer, ensuring our guests have the best possible time on the slopes.

Throughout our journey, several aspects have consistently defined GoSnow:

• Official Partner: Since inception, GoSnow has been the official international snow sports school of Grand Hirafu, granting us exclusive access to the priority lift lines, as well as the magic carpet learning areas. This continues to be a defining feature of our operations.

• Diverse Team: With approximately 18 different nationalities and 13 certifying bodies represented, our team is a melting pot of cultures and expertise. We also offer an in-house training program, helping our instructors to achieve higher certifications and contribute to their Continued Professional Development.

• Kids Facilities: Our dedicated Ninja Kids and Yama Riders break rooms make for a safe, warm and fun environment for all children enjoying our group lessons. Along with our fantastic Instructors, we have our trained Kids Assistants, who are always on hand to help out with breaks and lunches.

• Special Moments: We have engagement proposals in our lessons each season, with a 100% “yes” rate!

• Notable Guests: Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting famous musicians, Olympic athletes, and actors, adding a touch of stardust to our snow-covered adventures.

Thank you for being a part of our story. Here’s to many more years of snow-filled fun and unforgettable holiday memories!