<aside> ❄️
WORK A WINTER IN HAKUBA JOIN OUR TEAM (2026/27)
A seasonal job that feels like a winter adventure in Japan's famous powder.
</aside>
We're a small hospitality crew running multiple ski lodges, a bar, and a restaurant in the Hakuba Cortina & Norikura area, one of Japan's best powder destinations.
Our guests come mainly from Australia and Europe, so the lodges run as English first workplaces. The team is a mix of Working Holiday makers and locals, and the vibe is exactly what you'd expect from a mountain crew, tight-knit, hardworking, and here for the season.
We run five lodges, Hakuba Cortina Lodge, Hakuba Cortina Backpackers, First Tracks, Powder Base, and Kamoshika, along with Endless Bar & Restaurant, Mr.Ramen and Konakona. Everyone pitches in, and everyone gets to ride.
Check our website from here.
Hakuba Cortina Accommodation & Restaurants
<aside> 🏂
You'll be based in Hakuba, Nagano, one of Japan's top powder destinations. Make the most of the snow season and hit the mountains on your days off.
</aside>
<aside> 🌏
Our guests are a true mix from Australia and Europe, and the lodges run as English-first workplaces. Japanese is helpful but not required.
</aside>
<aside> 🏔️
Wake up to alpine views and fresh snow in the Hakuba Cortina / Norikura area. It's one of the quieter parts of Hakuba, which means you'll be part of a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other.
</aside>
<aside> ✨
This is community living at its best, work hard, ride hard, and make friends for life. Not just seasonal work, it's a winter experience you'll remember.
</aside>
We're looking for someone with a friendly, proactive attitude and a reliable work ethic that holds up during a fast-paced winter season. You should be comfortable speaking English with international guests and have a team mindset, you'll be living and working closely with others.
It's a plus if you have hospitality experience in a hotel, lodge, or café. Japanese language skills, previous snow resort or winter season experience, and a driver's license are all great to have as well.
<aside> 💴
¥1,350 / hour (increase possible based on performance)
</aside>
The schedule is 4 days on / 4 days off, and the contract runs from December 10 to March 10. At the end of the season, you'll receive a completion bonus of ¥50,000 as a ski lift pass reimbursement. Staff meals are available for ¥400.
<aside> 🏠
Accommodation options available
For lodge managers and restaurant managers, accommodation is provided free of charge.
</aside>
A private room is ¥3,000 per night. If you share with one other person, it's ¥1,500 per person per night. For rooms shared by three or more, the rate drops to ¥1,000 per person per night.
<aside> 👤
The Lodge Manager is responsible for the overall daily operation of the lodge and ensuring guests have a smooth and enjoyable stay.
</aside>
This role covers managing reception and guest communication, handling reservations and booking systems, and supervising daily lodge operations. You'll also be hands-on with cleaning and maintaining common areas to keep the lodge looking its best. At certain lodges, you'll prepare simple breakfasts for guests, and you'll coordinate check-ins and check-outs. Communication with drivers and cleaners is a key part of keeping everything running smoothly.
The typical shift structure focuses on morning check-outs and evening check-ins, but flexibility is required depending on guest needs.
Each manager takes responsibility for their lodge and acts as the main point of contact for staff working there. Managers may also coordinate and give instructions to drivers and cleaners when necessary.
This role requires strong communication skills, organisation, and the ability to stay calm during busy periods.
<aside> 🚗
The Driver role supports the operation of the lodges and ensures guests and logistics move smoothly throughout the day.
</aside>
Drivers handle guest pick-ups and drop-offs, assist with luggage, and support general lodge logistics. The role also includes basic building maintenance and repairs, early morning snow clearing, waste and recycling collection, and helping other staff when needed.