Meet our passionate instructors

Hi all, I’m Ari, originally from England. I’ve been skiing since I was three and haven’t stopped since! I gained my ski and snowboard qualifications in both Switzerland and Australia and I am really looking forward to hitting the slopes in Niseko and sharing my passion for snow sports with you all.

G’day! My name is Bella and I am so stoked to be Ski Instructing in Japan this year. I grew up in New Zealand and have a very mixed background in Broadcast Radio, Finance and now Ski Instructing! All of my favourite activities involve the outdoors and include Ski Touring, Hiking and Bike touring. My main passion however is ski instructing and I can’t wait to share that with you in some of the best ski terrain Japan has to offer. See you out there!

Hello, I'm Billy, and I've been teaching since 2008. Originally from the UK, I began my career indoors in Manchester, and have since taught snowboarding in Europe, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan. This upcoming winter will mark my eighth season in Japan, and I can't get enough of the snow, food, and the people I meet. At Elevate, I'll be teaching snowboarding and also leading training for the instructors. Additionally, I serve as an examiner for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand and I am a member of the Snowboard Tech Team, dedicating my time to training the next generation of instructors. Catch you on the hill soon!

Hello! My name is Caity and I’m originally from the US, hailing from the sunny state of California. Yes! It does snow in California, I’m glad you asked. I began teaching snowboarding in 2014 and have traded the sun for year round winter for many years since, with seasons spent working between the US, New Zealand and Japan. This season at Elevate you will find me teaching snowboarding and also leading training for some of our other instructors. I’m really looking forward to being back in Japan for my fourth season and sharing the magic that is Hokkaido snow. Let’s go slash some pow!

Hi! My name is Christian and i am a Ski and Snowboard instructor from Denmark. Winter sports is my passion, and i enjoy helping people progress as an instructor. I have already spent 2 seasons teaching, and i can not wait to get started this season.

Hi! My name is Florence. I grew up at the bottom of a ski hill in Quebec, Canada and I have been skiing since I was two years old. I was a ski instructor for 5 years over there. After studying social sciences in college, I decided to move to British Columbia to ski in the Canadian Rockies and that’s when I really fell in love with the powder and the mountains. This year I will realize my dream to spend a season in Niseko and being able to share my passion of skiing with my future students.

Hi, my name is George Turner. I'm 23 years old and from West Yorkshire in England. I'm going to be working as a Ski Instructor for Elevate under MnK Niseko. This is my 3rd season instructing, previously working at Mt Hutt in New Zealand.

Hey there, my name is Heidi! I come from a small village in Wales where I speak Welsh as my first language. I have always loved participating in a variety of sports growing up such as gymnastics, swimming , rugby (which is a much loved sport for Wales!) and finally, snow sports! I am passionate about the environment, wildlife and photography and love to capture those special moments that we witness in life. I have recently been travelling New Zealand where I have completed the Southern Hemisphere winter season as a ski instructor. I look forward to experiencing the rich culture in Japan and of course, the deep powder snow it has to offer!

Heya, I'm Jake. I grew up ski racing and more recently competed in freestyle before becoming an instructor. I have lived in the UK all my life so this opportunity to live in Japan for a year is a dream come true! I've also worked in a ski shop as a qualified boot fitter alongside my main job as a biotechnology researcher. I hope to one day combine my passion for research and skiing by installing vertical farms in ski resorts.

Hi! My name is Cotton. I’m from the U.S. but was born in Japan and grew up skiing on Niseko’s fantastic powder! Since I learned to ski here, I am very excited to be able to teach in Niseko this season. Looking forward to getting to know you and helping you love your time in Niseko!

My name is James and this is my first season instructing in Niseko. I am from the UK but first became inseparable from my skis in the French Alps, where I earnt my instructing qualifications having spent a season in Val d’Isere. I graduated from the University of Bristol reading Economics last Summer and was heavily involved with the University’s Snowsports team. I love to have as much fun as possible on the slopes and can’t wait to share that enjoyment with you all!

Hi! My name is Magnus I’m a 24 year old danish ski instructor. My passion for skiing started when I was 5 years old and have loved it ever since. This winter will be my 4th season teaching. I’m fun and dynamic and hope to use each session to really improve your skiing.

Hi, My Name is Manon, from France. Snow sports became my passion when I started skiing at 3 years old. I teaching ski and snowboard un the alps since 2014 now. I'm Also passionnated about all kind of outdoor activities like cycling, paragliding, kitesurfing and Japan is a beautiful playground. I came here to Make a new experience, discover the culture and enjoying the niseko snow. I look forward to share with you my passion and my experience on the Niseko mountain.

Hi I’m Mollie, I’m a ski instructor from the UK. I’ve recently graduated from University with a BSC in Geography. I’ve been skiing ever since I was little, mainly in France. I’m looking forward to working with you whilst exploring and enjoying the amazing slopes in Niseko!

Hello there! I'm Ollie, I have been snowboarding ever since my parents got sick of me straight lining down the mountain on skis. I'm from Manchester in the UK and my background is in education for a variety of sports. I love teaching as I get to help people improve their riding, and watch their love for the sport grow. I'm excited to share the famous Japow with you, and can’t wait to show you what Niseko has to offer.

I’m Oskar, 21 years, You’re typical Scandinavian guy. Blue eyes and light hair. Safety is first priority. Second come enjoyment and fun, without enjoyment nobody is gonna learn. IASI Level 2 ski instructor. Spend the whole of last season in Switzerland educating mostly children and anyone who would like to be a better skier.

Hi, my name is Thomas and I have been a ski instructor for 4 seasons, where I've been in Canada, Switzerland and New Zealand. I am absolutely passionate about skiing and teaching it, and have loved every single day on the snow. I could talk for hours about skiing, so I'll just make it short and say that I am beyond excited to experience Niseko and Japan, and share my passion with all of you.

Hello. My name is Tom, I hail from Newcastle in North East England and I am passionate about snowsports and pride myself on being a sporting individual in general. I have been lucky enough to ski in some fantastic locations across the globe and in part thanks to spending a lot of time in my formative years skiing and training my abilities on a local artificial ‘dry’ ski slope back in the UK, which uses a brush material called ‘dendix’ to mimic snow qualities. Although recently I had taken a short hiatus from skiing to focus on studying and took up a career within shipping, the lure of the mountains eventually tempted me back as nothing beats the feeling of fresh powder on a snowy morning! Though previously adept at dealing in trade of grain and biomass product, I reignited my enthusiasm for travel having left my role in Britain behind in order to ship snow in New Zealand, having completed a winter season of work at the Remarkables ski field just previous to travelling to Niseko.