Guest Terms & Conditions
Last updated: 13th November, 2025
Welcome to Hikari Snowsports Limited (“we”, “our”, “us” or “Hikari”).
We operate an online platform that connects professional ski instructors affiliated with a Japanese ski school (“Instructors”) with people who want to book ski lessons (“Guests”) in Japan. By booking lessons through our platform, you agree to these Terms & Conditions. (“Terms”)
1. Our Role
Hikari provides a booking and payment platform for Guests and Instructors.
We do not employ, manage, or supervise Instructors — each Instructor operates via a Japanese ski school which is responsible for their own Instructors, insurance, and compliance with Japanese laws.
We do not provide, sell, or rent ski equipment and accept no liability for any equipment, or lack thereof.
2. Guest Accounts
You must be at least 18 years old to use Hikari. Lessons may be booked for minors by a parent or legal guardian who accepts full responsibility and these Terms on behalf of the minor.
You agree to provide accurate, up-to-date information when creating your account or making a booking.
You are responsible for all activity under your account and for maintaining your login security.
3. Bookings, Fees, and Payments
All bookings are made and paid for through our platform using our secure payment system.
The total price includes the ski school's fee, Hikari's service fee, and payment processing fees.
Once payment is complete, you'll receive a booking confirmation by email.
We cannot accept payments from, or bookings by persons located in, countries or territories subject to comprehensive economic sanctions by the United Kingdom, United States, European Union, United Nations, or Japan.
4. Cancellations and Refunds
If a Guest cancels their booking more than sixty (60) days before the scheduled lesson date, they will receive a ninety percent (90%) refund. Cancellations made between thirty-one (31) and sixty (60) days before the lesson will receive a fifty percent (50%) refund. Cancellations made within thirty (30) days of the lesson are non-refundable.
If an Instructor or a ski school cancels a lesson, the Guest will be offered either a full refund or the option to book an alternative Instructor, subject to availability.
Lessons will proceed wherever conditions allow, including during adverse weather, limited terrain, or partial lift closures. Refunds or credits will only be considered when all resort lifts are officially closed for the day, making it impossible to conduct any lesson. In such cases, we may assist in arranging a rescheduled lesson or determine a fair resolution at our discretion.
Hikari shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, earthquakes, typhoons, floods, fire, war, terrorism, pandemic, government restrictions, or failure of telecommunications or internet services. If such a force majeure event continues for more than thirty (30) days, Hikari may terminate these terms by written notice without liability.
5. Guest Responsibilities
Guests must:
- Provide truthful, up to date accurate information about their ski level, health, injury history, special requirements and experience.
- Follow all of the Instructor's safety and practical instructions at all times.
- Abide by the Instructor and/or ski school's terms and conditions and policies as are notified to you.
- Have their own ski equipment and valid lift pass — Lessons cannot proceed without proper equipment and a valid lift pass, and no refund will be provided for Guest failures to arrange these.
- Arrive to the lesson fully prepared and ready to take part.
- Behave respectfully and courteously at all times toward Instructors, resort staff, and other skiers.
Failure to follow the above may result in lesson termination without refund and a ban from the platform.
Arrive to the lesson on time. If you are running late, your instructor will wait for at least one hour after your scheduled lesson start time for you to arrive. If you have not arrived after one hour and you have not contacted your instructor to provide an estimated arrival time, they will leave and no refund will be offered.
6. Conduct
We expect all users to act honestly, courteously and respectfully.
Harassment, discrimination, or abuse toward Instructors, resort staff, or other Guests is not tolerated and may result in lesson termination and/or a ban from the platform.
Guests must not attempt to bypass payments or misuse the platform.
7. Liability and Risk
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING CARRY INHERENT RISKS.
By booking through Hikari, you acknowledge and accept these risks.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Hikari is not responsible for any accidents, injuries, damages, or losses that occur before, during, or after lessons. The ski school and Instructor maintain liability insurance as required. We strongly recommend you obtain comprehensive travel insurance including winter sports coverage.
Limitation of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by law, Hikari's total liability for any claims arising from your use of the platform or any booked lesson shall not exceed the total amount you paid for the relevant booking. This limitation does not apply to liability that cannot be excluded by law, including death or personal injury caused by Hikari's negligence.
Data Protection: We process your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By using Hikari, you consent to such processing and to the transfer of data to Japan and other jurisdictions as necessary to provide our services.
Neither Hikari nor any ski school shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing obligations under these Terms (other than refund obligations already processed) where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, earthquakes, typhoons, extreme weather, natural disasters, war, terrorism, pandemic, government restrictions, or resort closures beyond those covered in Clause 4.
If a force majeure event affects your booking, we will work with you and the ski school to reschedule or provide a fair resolution, which may include a refund or credit at our discretion.
8. Reviews
By submitting a review, you grant Hikari a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and display your review on our platform and in our marketing materials. You represent that your review is honest, based on your genuine experience, and does not violate any third-party rights.
We reserve the right to refuse to publish, or to remove, reviews that: (a) contain offensive, defamatory, or discriminatory content; (b) violate these Terms; (c) appear fraudulent or not based on a genuine experience; or (d) violate applicable laws. We do not edit reviews but may remove them entirely.
When leaving a review, you must be truthful and act in good faith.
9. Disputes
If an issue arises with an Instructor, please try to resolve it directly first with the Instructor.
If further help is needed, contact us at hikariski.com/contact.
Hikari will use reasonable efforts to mediate, but we are not legally responsible for resolving disputes between users and instructors.
10. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms periodically. Any major updates will be posted on our website or emailed to you.
By continuing to use the platform, you agree to the updated Terms.
11. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, with all users required to follow Japanese resort and safety rules during lessons.
Any disputes relating to Hikari's operation are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. Nothing in this clause limits Hikari's right to seek injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction.
12. Contact
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us at hikariski.com/contact.