# Which ski or snowboard lesson should I book? Start with your level, then compare five courses
Zero experience: the Beginner Lesson. Linking turns: a Progression Lesson. Fluent S turns on red runs: Tree & Powder. The Companion is not a lesson.
- URL: https://www.ykhokkaido.com/en/blog/first-trip-02-how-to-choose-a-ski-lesson
- Published: 2026-11-09
- Section: Training
- Series: Your First Ski Trip to Hokkaido (part 2)
- Tags: Beginners, Choosing lessons & instructors
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The booking page lists five courses. Most people who get stuck are not confused by the prices; they just don't know which level they're at.
This post is for you if:
- you have decided to take lessons in Hokkaido but haven't picked which kind
- you aren't sure whether your "turning" counts as turning
- you want to know how the tree lesson and the Companion differ from a regular lesson
Choosing takes three questions, then the table below. Durations, prices and bookable dates are on the [courses page](/en/courses/); this post doesn't repeat them.
## Answer three questions first
**1. Snowboard or skis?** The level boundaries differ between the two, so settle that first. If you haven't decided, start with [Snowboard or ski?](/en/blog/first-trip-03-snowboard-or-ski/).
**2. How far along are you now?** Judge by what you can do on the slope, not by how many days you have ridden. On a snowboard the question is "can you link turns steadily?"; on skis it is "can you make parallel turns?"
**3. What do you want from this trip?** If you want to learn something new, book a lesson. Only if you just want someone to ride with, plus some suggestions along the way, look at the Professional Companion.
Settle on snowboard or skis first, then work down by what you can do on the slope. The bottom box is not a lesson.
## The five courses side by side
| Course | Level required | Max per group |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner Lesson | Snowboard: zero experience to not yet linking turns steadily; ski: not yet making parallel turns (including those who can snowplough) | 6 |
| Snowboard Progression Lesson | Snowboard only; can already link turns steadily | 4 |
| Ski Progression Lesson | Ski only; can already make parallel turns | 4 |
| Snowboard Tree & Powder Lesson | Fluent linked S turns on red (intermediate) runs; the school checks your level before you book | 4 |
| Professional Ski & Snowboard Companion | Can ride S turns on red runs on your own; company and suggestions — not teaching, not supervision | No limit |
Two boundaries in this table are the easiest to misjudge.
**"Steady linked turns" on a snowboard.** If you can sometimes link turns but slip back into falling leaf the moment you get nervous, you still belong in the Beginner Lesson. If you're not sure, book the Beginner Lesson: its range already includes "not yet linking turns steadily".
**"Fluent on red runs" for the tree lesson.** This lesson goes into the trees and rides powder, on terrain more complex than groomed runs, so the school checks your level before you book, and a helmet is required throughout. It runs at only three resorts: [Rusutsu](/resorts/rusutsu/#lessons) (in Chinese), [Sapporo Teine](/resorts/teine/#lessons) (in Chinese) and [Asarigawa Onsen](/resorts/asarigawa/#lessons) (in Chinese).
Every lesson takes place inside the resort's managed area, in terrain the resort permits and has open that day. The instructor plans the route according to resort rules, snow conditions and the students' level. The Tree & Powder Lesson is no exception.
Regular lessons run at all five resorts; the Tree & Powder Lesson only at Sapporo Teine, Asarigawa Onsen and Rusutsu.
**Requesting an instructor.** Only the Snowboard Progression Lesson lets you request a specific instructor; for the Beginner Lesson, Ski Progression Lesson and Tree & Powder Lesson, the school assigns one based on your situation. Which instructors you can request, and what it costs, are set out in the [FAQ](/en/faq/). For the widest choice of dates, choose "Any available coach".
## One instructor per group
SnowWind lessons are organised by group. Each group has one instructor, with a cap of 6 or 4 people depending on the course.
Every instructor teaches in Chinese; those who can also teach in English or Cantonese are listed in the [FAQ](/en/faq/). Principal KAKU leads the team; KAKU's qualifications and profile are on the [instructor page](/en/instructors/yuugyo/).
Answers to questions you may have before booking are on the [courses page](/en/courses/) and in the [FAQ](/en/faq/). For anything not covered there, ask us directly before you book.
## FAQ
### Which lesson should I book for my first time skiing or snowboarding?
The Beginner Lesson. For snowboarders it covers everyone from zero experience to not yet linking turns steadily; for skiers, everyone not yet making parallel turns, including those who can already make snowplough turns.
### How many people can be in one lesson?
It depends on the course. The Beginner Lesson takes up to 6 per group; the Snowboard Progression, Ski Progression and Snowboard Tree & Powder Lessons up to 4; the Professional Ski & Snowboard Companion has no limit.
### What level do I need for the snowboard tree lesson?
Fluent linked S turns, on your own, on red (intermediate) runs; the school checks your level before you book. It runs only at Rusutsu, Sapporo Teine and Asarigawa Onsen, and a helmet is required throughout.
### Can I request a specific instructor?
Only for the Snowboard Progression Lesson. For the Beginner, Ski Progression and Tree & Powder Lessons, the school assigns an instructor based on your situation. Which instructors you can request, and the fee, are listed in the FAQ.
### How is the Professional Companion different from a lesson?
The Companion offers company and suggestions — not teaching, not supervision. It assumes you can already ride S turns on your own on red runs. If you want to learn new moves or have someone correct you, book a lesson.