If you don’t, you’ll be stuck with a Japanese speaking instructor who, whilst nice, will take you down the slope at about -3km/hr.  I presume this is because a lot of mothers freak out if they go to fast and go into panic mode if their kids fall over. There’s two sides to the Westin Rusutuse ski area, once side has a good kids/beginners area where you won’t go faster than walking pace and where all the lessons are, that requires you to get a 2 minute train over.  The other side is where the action is, there’s an excellent gentle slope where you can go slow if you want, or if you’re like me, can just point your skis downhill and take off! If your kids are not confident or reluctant, send them to the other side.  If you have a Dad like mine who tends to be on the “throw them in the water and they’ll learn to swim” side of things, you can stay on the hotel side and learn on the big boys slopes.  This was probably done more out of necessity than anything else as they failed to book an English speaking instructor early enough.

Loads of fun is to be had in Rusutsu and I keep asking when we can go back.

Also, don’t buy the cheap ski clothes from TaoBao, they’re not breathable. Buy the good shit which will cost you an arm and a doodle, but it’ll keep your kids warm and dry.