Head Alpine Trainer

Job Description

Head Alpine Trainer - Rhythm Rides

Location: Niseko-based, with travel to Hakuba and Furano as required

Dates: November through to April

Reports to : Private Lessons Manager - Niseko

Direct Reports: None

Functional Training Direction: National Training Manager - Rhythm Rides

Operational Direction: Private Lessons Manager

Scope: Alpine Training Delivery, Instructor Development and Niseko Snowsports Supervisory Coverage

Position Type: Seasonal Hourly Position, hours variable depending on business, between 30 to 40 hours per week

Wages:

Hourly from ¥2,580 per hour to ¥2,846 per hour

Monthly From: ¥466,597 to ¥557,197

• Seasonal Estimate: From ¥2,532,562 to ¥2,995,188
• Please note that the actual amount will vary depending on the actual number of working days, hours, and shift conditions .

Travel Allowance : ¥100,000 reimbursed based on actual costs

About us:

Rhythm is about creating epic experiences for our customers, which starts with our people. We live by our values and put people first. We take pride in creating working and living environments that foster innovation, adventure, and balance. Working at Rhythm is more than a job; it's an experience you will have forever.

The Role:

The Head Alpine Trainer is a full-time dual-function role combining alpine training delivery with snowsports supervisor coverage in Niseko.

The role takes direction from the National Training Manager on training schedules, structure and priorities, and delivers alpine training across Niseko, Hakuba and Furano as required. It also provides ongoing technical support to instructors, contributes to the Senpai program and supports Futures coaches with technical coaching plans.

In Niseko, the role provides scheduled snowsports supervisor coverage across private lessons and kids multi-day programs. The balance between training and supervisory duties will change throughout the season according to training priorities and operational demand. The National Training Manager and Senior Lessons Manager coordinate the role's priorities and allocation.

The Head Alpine Trainer is accountable for:

Delivering agreed alpine training priorities across Rides locations

Providing ongoing technical coaching and development support for instructors

Contributing to the Senpai program and Futures coach development

Providing reliable Snowsports Supervisor coverage in Niseko

Maintaining clear communication and handover between Training and Lessons leadership

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Alpine Training Delivery

Deliver alpine training across Niseko, Hakuba and Furano according to the schedule, structure and priorities set by the National Training Manager.

Deliver clinics, workshops, mentoring and on-snow development focused on technical skills, teaching quality and product delivery.

Adapt delivery to local staff needs while maintaining agreed learning objectives and standards.

Coordinate with local managers and trainers to support effective training delivery.

Provide feedback to the National Training Manager on participation, capability gaps and development needs.

Guide-specific technical training, guide safety standards and guide sign-offs remain with guide technical leadership.

Instructor Development, Senpai & Futures Support

Provide accessible technical coaching and support to instructors throughout the season.

Observe instruction when required and provide practical coaching and feedback.

Support instructors working toward qualification, technical and teaching-development goals.

Identify recurring development needs and share them with the National Training Manager and relevant managers.

Support onboarding and pre-season technical training as required.

Act as a key technical contributor to the Senpai program and support mentors with coaching guidance and tools.

Provide technical advice to the Futures Supervisor and Kids Programs Manager on seasonal and weekly coaching plans, coach development and athlete progression.

Futures leadership retains ownership of program delivery, athlete progression management and parent communication.

Niseko Snowsports Supervisor Coverage

Provide scheduled supervisory coverage across Private Lessons and Kids Multi-Day Programs, primarily during manager days off or operational gaps.

Receive and provide clear handovers of staffing plans, bookings, priorities and known issues.

Lead daily line-up, staff coordination and routine day-of decisions within delegated authority.

Support Private Lessons, Premium Privates and Resort Guiding, including day-of staffing adjustments within approved plans.

Support Kids Multi-Day delivery, including staff line-up, group organisation, ratios, attendance and routine operational concerns.

Resolve routine issues within delegated authority and escalate significant matters appropriately.

Leadership, Safety and Administration

Provide clear direction, coaching and feedback during training and supervisory shifts.

Promote a positive, professional and development-focused team culture.

Ensure training and assigned operations follow approved procedures, child-safety requirements, resort rules and Rhythm policies.

Respond to incidents or operational issues within the role's authority and follow required escalation procedures.

Maintain required training, attendance, operational and handover records.

Escalate recurring performance or conduct concerns to the relevant manager.

Role Balance and Boundaries

The National Training Manager sets national training strategy, structure, schedule and priorities; the Head Alpine Trainer executes agreed alpine training delivery.

The Senior Lessons Manager owns Niseko cross-program operational priorities and supervisory coverage.

Private Lessons and Kids Programs Managers retain ownership of rosters, workforce planning, formal performance management and program standards.

The Head Alpine Trainer may make day-of staffing and operational adjustments within delegated authority when providing supervisor coverage.

The balance between training and supervisory work will flex throughout the season according to business needs.

The National Training Manager and Senior Lessons Manager coordinate allocation where training and operational priorities compete.

Key Measures of Success:

Alpine training delivered to agreed priorities and standards

Instructors receive effective ongoing technical coaching and development

Senpai mentors and Futures coaches receive useful technical support

Reliable Snowsports Supervisor coverage and smooth Niseko lesson operations

Strong communication and coordination across Training and Lessons leadership

What you need to succeed:

Qualifications and Experience

Strong experience delivering snowsports instructor training, technical coaching and on-snow development.

Strong ski or snowboard instruction experience, including supervisory or leadership responsibilities.

Fully certified ski or snowboard instructor qualification, or equivalent, required.

Trainer, examiner or equivalent educator status is highly desirable.

Experience mentoring instructors and supporting professional development.

Experience coaching children or young athletes is desirable.

Current First Aid certification and valid Japanese or recognised international driver licence.

Skills and Attributes

Strong technical coaching, facilitation and feedback skills.

Able to translate technical concepts into practical coaching for instructors and coaches.

Confident switching between trainer, mentor and operational supervisor responsibilities.

Strong communication and collaboration across locations and teams.

Calm operational judgement and clear understanding of when to act or escalate.

Flexible and willing to travel between Niseko, Hakuba and Furano as required.

The Perks and Benefits:

As a Rhythm employee, you’ll experience the same legendary hos