Summer Lesson and Guiding FAQs and Booking Terms

Payment of your lesson or tour (either via a third-party agent or directly to Rhythm Japan) constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions listed for all parties participating in Rhythm Rides and/or Summer Tours Niseko products (named or otherwise).

Lift passes are required to be purchased for the duration of the lesson or guided product, when accessing a resort area. No refund will be given for any unused portion of lift passes.

Please arrive in suitable gear for your activity, with a valid lift ticket 15 minutes before your scheduled lesson/tour time. All lessons/tours start at the scheduled time & lessons/ tours cannot be extended or rescheduled following the late arrival of a guest for any reason.

All parties agree that they have valid travel insurance that covers the snowsports/outdoor activities being participated in. Please note, guests are responsible for their own medical expenses including rescue fees when accessing terrain outside of the resort boundaries.

Rhythm Rides lessons and guiding & Summer Tours Niseko may be recorded by a Rhythm-sponsored photographer/videographer. Customers acknowledge that they and their party’s likeness may appear in future print or digital media without remuneration.

A deposit of 20% is required within seven days of the booking.

The remaining 80% is due at least seven days before the lesson/tour date.

Engaging in outdoor sporting activities such as mountain biking, cycling or hiking are hazardous.

Rhythm Japan and its employees cannot be held liable for accidents or injuries, including serious bodily harm or injury resulting in death that occurs before, during or after your guide or tour.

All those who partake in a Rhythm Rides and/or a Summer Tours Niseko product will indemnify Rhythm Japan, its employees, affiliates and agents from all actions, suits, claims for damage and demands for personal injury, loss or damage.

• Up until 48 hours before the booked lesson/tour start time, a full refund will be provided for any reason.

• Within 48 hours of the booked lesson/tour start time, a 100% cancellation fee will be incurred.

• No compensation can be made for the loss of tour time due to injury or illness if the guiding has commenced. Upon receipt of a valid medical certificate, a reschedule or refund of future lessons is possible.

1. We must be advised before your new lesson has commenced.

2. Rhythm must receive the report within 24 hours of the cancelled/missed lesson.

• We reserve the right to cancel any reservations that do not meet our booking terms or have not been paid by the due date.

Summer tours and lessons are outdoor activities and proceed in a range of weather. Light rain alone is not grounds for cancellation: tours and lessons will go ahead in light rain and similar conditions where it remains safe to do so. Please come prepared with appropriate wet-weather gear.

In the event of extreme weather - such as heavy or persistent rain, thunderstorms, high winds, flooding, or any condition that causes the resort to cease operations or puts the safety of the tour at risk - we will offer a reschedule or refund of the lesson/tour.

• A 100% refund  is only available at the discretion of the manager  for lessons/tours that have not commenced.

• A partial refund for the unused portion of lessons/tours that had already commenced.

• Not available if suitable terrain is available for the booked lesson or tour.

If you are unable to enter Japan due to travel restrictions related to Covid 19 we will offer a full refund.

• We must be advised prior to the commencement of the lesson or tour.

• Proof of inability to travel must be provided within 24 hours if requested.

We are unable to reschedule or offer a refund for lessons and tours due to a Covid diagnosis. 

The price of any summer tour is inclusive of the guide, and any transportation needed to reach the tour location from Rhythm Base if required. Transport is not provided for mountain bike lessons. The customer is responsible for booking any other related equipment necessary to partake in the tour, such as a bicycle and helmet.

We want you to have the best experience with Rhythm, so if you feel unwell or are injured, we will be happy to reschedule your tour upon receipt of a medical certificate or accident report, provided we have been advised before the lesson commences.

Unfortunately, once the tour has commenced, we’re unable to offer partial refunds or reschedule.

Hokkaido’s weather is dry and pleasant, even in mid-summer it doesn’t hit the high temperatures seen elsewhere in Japan. However, as it is a mountainous environment, the weather can change rapidly so it is always best to be prepared. We recommend bringing suitable sun and rain protection when participating in our tours.

In the event of extreme weather that might put safety on the tour at risk, we will offer to reschedule or a refund.

• This is available at the discretion of the manager only and offered at 100% for lessons/tours which have not commenced

• A partial refund of the unused portion of your lesson or booking which has commenced

The following terms apply to any booking of 10 or more participants and take precedence over the standard Payment Terms and Cancellation Policy above. They align with Rhythm's winter rental group booking terms. All other General Booking Terms and Accident & Personal Liability terms continue to apply.

• Full payment (100% of the booking total) is due at the time of booking.

• The booking will be secured once we confirm your payment.

• No refund will be provided for amendments or cancellations made within 14 days of the lesson/tour date.

• A 20% cancellation fee applies for cancellations made 14 days or more before the lesson/tour date. This may be applied as store credit for use during the current season.

• Any reduction in the total amount payable (including a reduction in participant numbers) will be treated as a cancellation and is subject to the cancellation policy above.

Weather conditions The Weather conditions terms in the standard Cancellation Policy above also apply to group bookings.