Are you an experienced, qualified instructor who genuinely cares about delivering exceptional lessons to your guests?
If so, FISS are currently hiring ski and snowboard instructors for the 2026/27 Northern hemisphere winter season.
What We Expect From Our Instructors
At FISS, our instructors play a central role in shaping the experience our guests have in Furano. We seek highly professional ski and snowboard instructors who take pride in their work and are committed to delivering exceptional service. Our team members are expected to consistently go above and beyond to ensure every guest enjoys a safe, memorable, and rewarding holiday experience.
Safety is always our first priority. Instructors are responsible for carefully managing risk while delivering enjoyable and engaging lessons. This requires thoughtful terrain selection, constant awareness of environmental conditions, and a clear understanding of each guest’s ability, confidence, and readiness to progress. Our instructors are expected to draw upon their technical knowledge, professional training, and on-snow experience to make sound decisions that prioritise guest wellbeing at all times.
Great instructors are also great hosts and communicators. We expect our instructors to demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for teaching skiing and snowboarding while creating a welcoming and positive learning environment. When working with guests, instructors should always present themselves with professionalism, energy, and attentiveness. Regardless of personal circumstances, the experience delivered to our guests must remain consistent, polished, and of the highest standard.
Lessons should be technically accurate, structured, and tailored to the individual goals of each guest. Our instructors must be comfortable teaching a wide range of ages and ability levels and should approach every lesson—whether with a beginner or an expert—with the same dedication and care.
Being part of FISS also means contributing positively to the wider team. Instructors are expected to work collaboratively with colleagues, support one another on and off the mountain, and represent the school with professionalism at all times. Respect for fellow staff members, care for company equipment and facilities, strong time management, and adherence to the FISS uniform standards are essential elements of maintaining the professional environment we strive to uphold.
Ultimately, our instructors represent both FISS and the Furano mountain experience. Through professionalism, passion, and attention to detail, we aim to deliver a level of service that reflects the world-class destination in which we operate.
About Furano:
Furano is located in the very heart of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. Its position in central Hokkaido places it squarely within the famous Hokkaido Powder Belt, a region known for producing some of the lightest and driest powder snow in the world. While areas such as Nagano and Niseko often receive higher overall snowfall totals each season, central Hokkaido is widely regarded as having the lightest, driest powder in Japan, thanks to its colder inland climate.
The city of Furano has a population of approximately 25,000 residents, the vast majority of whom are Japanese. This helps preserve an authentic Japanese atmosphere that is increasingly rare in some of Japan’s larger international ski destinations. In fact, Furano is consistently ranked as one of the most popular ski resorts among Japanese skiers, while many international visitors tend to gravitate toward Niseko. As a result, visitors to Furano enjoy a unique blend of world-class skiing with a genuine local culture.
Another advantage of Furano is the close proximity between the ski resort and the town itself. Because the ski area sits directly beside the city, restaurants, accommodation, and services on the mountain must remain competitively priced with those in town. This naturally prevents the inflated resort pricing often seen in more isolated ski destinations and helps keep the overall cost of visiting Furano significantly lower than places such as Niseko.
Despite its relatively small size, Furano offers a great selection of restaurants, bars, and local eateries, ranging from traditional Japanese cuisine to international options. Visitors can enjoy ramen, yakitori, izakaya dining, and Hokkaido’s famous fresh seafood and dairy products. The surrounding region is also known for its beautiful countryside, hot springs (onsen), and scenic landscapes, including the famous Furano and Biei rolling hills and lavender fields during the summer months.
Furano is, however, a more relaxed and traditional destination compared with some of Japan’s more nightlife-focused ski resorts. While there are plenty of welcoming bars and restaurants to enjoy in the evening, the town maintains a quiet and conservative atmosphere and may not appeal to those seeking a strong party scene. Instead, Furano is ideal for those who value excellent snow, authentic Japanese culture, and a laid-back mountain lifestyle.
What You Can Expect From FISS
At FISS, we aim to create a professional and supportive environment where instructors can perform at their best while enjoying everything that Furano has to offer. We understand that the strength of our school comes directly from the quality of our instructors, and we work hard to ensure that our team members feel valued and respected..
Our instructors benefit from working in one of Japan’s most respected ski destinations, known for its exceptional snow quality and authentic Japanese atmosphere. Furano offers reliable powder conditions throughout the winter and a mountain environment that allows instructors to deliver high-quality lessons across a wide variety of terrain.
We strive to maintain a positive team culture where instructors support one another both on and off the mountain. Clear communication, strong organisation, and fair lesson allocation help ensure a professional working environment. Our goal is to create a workplace where instructors can focus on what they do best—teaching and sharing their passion for snowsports.
FISS also provides opportunities for instructors to develop professionally. Working alongside experienced colleagues from around the world encourages the sharing of knowledge, teaching techniques, and ideas. We aim to build a team that values continuous learning and maintains the highest standards of instruction.
Equally important is the lifestyle that Furano offers. Unlike many large international resorts, Furano maintains a strong local culture and relaxed atmosphere. Instructors enjoy access to excellent skiing, authentic Japanese food, welcoming local bars and restaurants, and the unique experience of living and working in the heart of Hokkaido’s powder belt.
Our Teaching Philosophy
At FISS, we believe great instruction goes far beyond technical knowledge. Exceptional lessons combine strong technical understanding, thoughtful communication, and a genuine connection with our guests.
Our approach places the guest experience at the centre of everything we do. Every guest arrives with different goals, abilities, and expectations, and our instructors are encouraged to adapt their teaching to meet those individual needs. Successful lessons are built on careful observation, clear feedback, and a structured progression that allows guests to develop both confidence and skill.
We value instructors who are able to blend technical accuracy with creativity and adaptability. Snow conditions, terrain, weather, and guest readiness can change quickly in the mountains, and great instructors are able to adjust their teaching to ensure lessons remain safe, engaging, and productive.
Equally important is the learning environment we create. We encourage instructors to foster an atmosphere that is positive, encouraging, and motivating, where guests feel comfortable challenging themselves and progressing at their own pace.
Above all, our philosophy reflects a simple belief:
great lessons create great memories. By combining professional instruction with genuine enthusiasm for the mountains, our instructors help guests leave Furano not only as better skiers and snowboarders, but with an unforgettable experience of winter in Hokkaido.
