Payment & Cancellation Terms
Payment
- Full payment via the booking portal is required to complete the booking
- Payment of your lesson or tour constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions listed for all parties participating in Rhythm Rides lessons or guiding (named or otherwise).
Cancellation
- Cancellation 14 days or more prior to the lesson date incurs no cancellation fee, so a full refund will be issued*
- Cancellation 8-13 days of the lesson date will incur a 20% cancellation fee, so 80% of the value of the lesson / tour will be refunded*
- Cancellation within 7 days of the lesson date will incur a 100% cancellation fee, so no refund is issued
- No compensation can be made for the loss of lesson time due to injury or illness once the lesson has commenced
- A 100% refund* or lesson/tour reschedule is possible upon receipt of a valid medical certificate, a reschedule or refund* of future lessons is possible, on the condition that:
- You advise Rhythm Rides at least one hour before your lesson/tour is due to commence.
- Rhythm must receive the valid medical certificate within 24 hours of the cancelled/missed lesson.
Extreme Weather Events
In the event of extreme weather that has caused the resort to cease operations or the safety of the tour is at risk, Rhythm Rides will offer a reschedule or refund of the lesson/tour
- A 100% refund* is only available at the discretion of the manager for lessons/tours that have not commenced.
- A partial refund* for the unused portion of lessons/tours that had already commenced.
- No compensation is available if suitable terrain is accessible for the booked lesson or tour.
* Refunds are made in Japanese Yen. The amount that you receive in your home currency may differ from the amount you paid in your home currency due to exchange rate fluctuations.
Accident & personal liability
Participant Accepts Dangers
- Skiing, snowboarding and other mountain sports are high-risk activities.
- Rhythm Japan and its employees cannot be held liable for accidents or injuries, including serious bodily harm or injury resulting in death that occurs before, during or after your guide or tour.
Indemnity
All those who partake in a Rhythm Rides Lesson or Guiding product will indemnify Rhythm Japan, its employees, affiliates and agents from all actions, suits, claims for damage and demands for personal injury, loss or damage.
Therefore, anyone participating in Rhythm Rides Lessons or Guiding services provided by Rhythm Japan is agreeing to:
- Not hold Rhythm Japan legally responsible
- Not sue or make claims against Rhythm Japan, its employees, affiliates, or agents
- Take personal responsibility for any injuries or damages that might occur during the activity
ALL PRIVATE LESSONS
Mixed discipline
- Mixed discipline private lessons are not available.
Mixed Abilities
- There can be no more than two ability levels in difference between lesson participants. For example levels two and three could take a lesson together, but levels three and five could not.
Mixed-age lessons
Rhythm Rides are happy to accommodate lessons that include mixed age lessons (adults and children) to ensure you’re able to enjoy your time on the mountain as a family. However, we typically do not recommend children under 7 join lessons with adults due to the difference in learning style, ability and speed. Please contact our guest services team to discuss your options and ensure your goals are achievable prior to making a reservation.
Children 6 years and under
For children 6 and under we recommend the following maximum lesson sizes:
- 5-6 years old - 3 children max
- 4 years old - 2 children max
- 3 years old - 1 child max
Start time
- Lessons start at the scheduled time and are continuous.
Lunch break
- In collaboration with your instructor/guide you will agree a time during your full day experience to take a 30-minute break for lunch. Please note that the lunch break is considered part of your lesson time.
PREMIUM PRIVATE LESSONS
Choice of resort
Guests who book our Premium Privates have the flexibility to start in Hirafu, Annupuri, Kiroro or Rusutsu.
Our Guest Services team must be informed of your preference at least 48 hours in advance in order to guarantee it can be met.
Modifications
If you wish to modify your Premium Private experience, please provide us with at least 48 hours’ notice before your lesson. This allows us to update your booking and ensure your instructor is ready to accommodate your request.
Changes requested within 48 hours are subject to availability.
Transportation
Your reservation includes transportation for a maximum of 6 guests on the day of your Premium Private
Start time and scheduled pickup
Premium Private lessons begin at the scheduled pick-up time and cannot be extended if your departure is delayed.
Finish time and dropoff
In total, you will have the use of your instructor and vehicle for 9 hours.
It is up to you and your instructor how you would like to best utilise this time to maximise your Niseko goals.
Please note that your instructor’s working hours are limited to this timeframe.
After the 9 hours, you will be dropped off back to your accommodation.
Travel time
An additional 2 hours is included in your booking to tailor the day to your needs. Please note if your travel time is longer than the 2 hours the additional time will be deducted from the lesson/tour duration. Please see the table below as a guideline to average travel times from Hirafu.
- Annupuri - 30 minutes
- Moiwa - 30 minutes
- Rusutsu - 45 minutes
- Kiroro - one hour
Lunch Break
A 1-hour break for lunch is included.
Priority Rental Experience
The Priority Rental Experience is available to those who have booked a Premium Private with Rhythm Rides and gear rental from our Rhythm Hirafu store only.
This service offers access to a dedicated fitting queue and early rental pick-up. Pick-up is available from:
- 1 pm the day before the booking start date
- 8 am on the morning of the Premium Private
Please note, the rental fitting duration can vary depending on the time of the season.
Premium service add-ons
Onsen Experience
The cost of entry to the onsen is your own responsibility and is not included in the premium private.
Onsen entry is subject to the onsen’s own terms and conditions.
Rhythm Japan is not responsible for the refusal of entry or your personal belongings during the experience.
Video Analysis Session
To enable your instructor to share feedback with you, you may be required to download an app.
Off-Snow additional services
Any of the additional services mentioned below (but not limited to) are available within the total 9-hour experience. These include:
- Visiting a grocery store in Kutchan
- Having your instructor swap rental equipment on your behalf
- Getting your equipment dropped at our workshop by your instructor (tuning fee not included
- Visiting local retailers
Please note that these additional services must fit within the total 9-hour day, including all requests made of the instructor.
Instructor Qualifications
Where we state ISIA or equivalent this means that the instructor has either the ISIA stamp, or a certification provided by a certifying body that is of an equivalent standard.
Explorer Upgrade
Resort requests are required to be booked a minimum of 48 hours prior to your lesson/guided tour. Within this time we will endeavor to meet your request but are unable to guarantee a resort change.
If you would like to change your resort request after you have arrived in the ski resort, we recommend contacting our Guest Services team at rides [at] rhythmjapan.com to make arrangements or discuss this directly with your instructor if you are with them over multiple days.
Travel time
An additional 2 hours is included with the Explorer Upgrade to tailor the day to your needs. Please note if your travel time is longer than the 2 hours the additional time will be deducted from the lesson/tour duration. Please see the table below as a guideline to average travel times from Hirafu.
- Annupuri - 30 minutes
- Moiwa* - 30 minutes
- Rusutsu - 45 minutes
- Kiroro - one hour
*Lift-accessed backcountry only