NBS Japan Snowsports Specialists — Attraction in Kutchan

First time using NBS for lessons after previously using Go Snow. Convenience to where we stayed was why we chose it as they go from ace family lift.

Lessons start from outside the accomodation. However, given same price as other ski schools/ marketing of lessons- I would strongly advise Go Snow instead for a few reasons. NBS have no priority lane access at lifts- that’s poor for any lessons, in Japan or globally.

They have nice instructors and am sure of very similar level- but over 5 days so far we’ve had one or two report cards only. No specific feedback for what it’s worth. Worse, the grading of classes/ lack of depth of groups means kids put into groups 5 or 6 at 8 years’ old, who continually get lost on the mountain/ forget their lift pass are seemingly a weaker standard etc etc - don’t get changed into appropriate groups but rather the rest of group are forced to wait often for large chunks of the day.

We brought it up/ gave feedback- but I don’t believe much can be done or will be, as there are not the numbers in classes or depth of classes to shift people into. Sadly, after countless holidays in many locations including Niseko twice before, the kids have found the lessons and classes really frustrating this time. To be clear, they are not experts nor am I particularly demanding beyond them having a good time, being pushed to learn a bit and be challenged. And it’s the same amount of money as go snow etc- without priority access/ it involves coming down the hill to get in a bus each and every lunchtime- hence wasted time as opposed to eating on the mountain like other groups

Both kids have skied a lot and whilst no experts, benefitted from the depth that Go Snow have. This has been really poor and hasn’t changed throughout the stay. It’s a lot of money to spend given...

Terrible experience!!! I whole heartedly would not suggest tuition with them unless you want your whole Niseko experience to be ruined!!

I booked a private ski tuition for me and my friend given he was a first time learner although I am not. We were both hoping through private tutor might bring more care and attentiveness to my friend’s first time experience unlike the group lesson.

Turn out the private tutor has an extremely bad attitude problem, always keep throwing temper over my friend when he can’t achieve the assigned ski skills as a first time learner, while the tutor did not give out any instructions on how to ski properly. The tutor was constantly on her phone either messaging or on calls and she was never paying any attention on us on the slopes! You can imagine just how devastated having a tutor like this for my friend’s first time skiing experience.

As mentioned, I was not a first time learner, I have had lessons with quite a few other ski schools including the GoSnow, and with comparison, this is really the most awful tuition experience I have ever had!!! I shouldn’t have picked NBS just because it’s closer to our stay when it completely ruined our ski trip experience and my friend don’t like skiing anymore after being thrown over with temper for a whole day!

Hope there will not be another...

Probably one of the most economical rental options in Niseko, equipment collection and return were extremely fast

Forms were filled up in advance but I don’t think the staff looked through them

Giving 4 stars as equipment quality is quite poor for the basic package. For snowboard was given a lace type Very worn out Burton LTR boots that was way too flexible and the LTR board was the wrong size W155 given to me when at my weight at 90+KG a 160 should have been given instead

I noticed the binding was half broken on the 2nd day and when I returned to exchange it I was notified this would be my first and final exchange (even though it was an equipment fault?)

Anyways I went in to change the board at the same time and was given a Burton Radius 160 board (much much better) and bindings (No other boots though)

On the 3rd day these newly exchanged bindings also started failing, ratchet mechanism was loosening itself

Long story short I would advice intermediate people to opt for the premium package

The basic package should only be for those intending to stay on greens their entire sessions. LTRs will fail you on Red/ Black runs as these are for...