Terms & Conditions

By registering for or participating in any paid or complimentary activities or services provided by V.I Group Co., Ltd. (V.I グループ株式会社), trading as Visnow Ski School ("Visnow"), all participants acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by all terms, conditions, liability waivers, and other provisions set out on this page.

Terms & Conditions

Booking Amendments

Requests made more than 30 days before the activity date are entitled to one complimentary amendment, subject to availability, to the lesson date, number of participants, or ski resort.
Amendments requested within 30 days of the activity date are generally not permitted. However, requests to increase the number of participants may be accommodated subject to availability. Please contact us as early as possible, and we will do our best to assist.
No refunds will be provided if a participant cancels after the activity has commenced for personal reasons.
Participants arriving late for personal reasons will not receive additional lesson time or any refund.
(If you have booked our optional 30-minute equipment rental assistance service, the lesson will be delayed by up to 30 minutes only.)
If one or more participants are unable to attend due to personal circumstances (for example, illness or injury), the lesson will continue for the remaining participants as scheduled. No adjustment or refund of the booking fee will be provided.
If the reserved ski resort is completely closed due to an accident or extreme weather conditions, or if our instructors are unable to reach the resort due to road closures, we will offer an alternative ski resort or an alternative lesson date.

Booking Cancellations

If the reserved ski resort is completely closed due to an accident, extreme weather, or other force majeure events resulting in the entire group being unable to participate, you may apply to amend your booking by providing supporting documentation. We will offer alternative ski resorts and/or lesson dates where available. A refund will only be considered if none of the available alternatives can reasonably accommodate your travel schedule, in which case the payment will be refunded after deduction of the applicable administrative fee.
If you cancel your booking for personal reasons more than 30 days before the activity date, we will provide a refund after deduction of the applicable administrative fee. We encourage you to finalise your travel arrangements as early as possible to maximise flexibility.
If, within 7 days prior to departure, a major disaster occurs in Hokkaido (including but not limited to earthquakes, war, or pandemics) which prevents the activity from proceeding as scheduled, we will offer one of the following flexible arrangements:
- Complimentary credit of your lesson for use during the following ski season; or
- Permission to transfer your lesson booking to another participant.
As many operational costs (including instructor scheduling, insurance, and resource allocation) will already have been incurred, refunds cannot be provided under these circumstances. However, if you are experiencing exceptional hardship, please contact us and we will consider your situation on a case-by-case basis.

Insurance

All participants are required to obtain valid personal travel insurance before participating in any Visnow activities. Such insurance must provide coverage for skiing and snowboarding activities, including all skiing and snowboarding undertaken outside of lesson hours.
We strongly recommend that participants purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering, skiing and snowboarding activities, medical expenses, personal liability, emergency search and rescue, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation to their home country, follow-up medical treatment after returning home, as well as trip cancellation or interruption arising from personal reasons, flight delays or cancellations, adverse weather, illness, injury, itinerary changes, or other unforeseen circumstances, in order to minimise potential risks and financial losses.
Please note that the insurance maintained by Visnow is intended solely for the operation of its activities and services within Japan and provides coverage only to the extent specified under the applicable insurance policy and its terms and conditions. It is not a substitute for participants' personal travel insurance. All participants remain solely responsible for obtaining adequate personal travel insurance appropriate for their individual circumstances.

Equipment Rental Terms (Applicable only to guests renting equipment from Visnow)

The renter shall use and care for all rented equipment responsibly and shall not intentionally damage or misuse the equipment.
All rented equipment is for the exclusive use of the renter and must not be sublet, lent, or transferred to any other person during the rental period.
Any damage, loss, or theft of rented equipment must be reported to Visnow immediately.
If the rented equipment is damaged due to misuse by the renter or as a result of an accident during the rental period, the renter shall be responsible for the repair costs as assessed by Visnow.
If the rented equipment is lost or damaged beyond repair, the renter shall reimburse Visnow for the full replacement cost of the equipment.
Any compensation payable must be settled immediately at the time of the incident. If an official receipt is required, the renter must request it within one (1) day after payment has been made.
During the rental period, the renter shall be solely responsible for any personal injury, property damage, or loss arising from the use of the rented equipment, except where such injury or damage results from Visnow's wilful misconduct or gross negligence.
By using Visnow's equipment rental service, the renter acknowledges and agrees to these Equipment Rental Terms.

Professional Photography Terms (Applicable only to guests booking Visnow's professional photography service)

Requests made more than 30 days before the scheduled photography session are entitled to one complimentary change to the photography date or location, subject to the photographer's availability.
Changes requested within 30 days of the scheduled photography session are generally not permitted. However, adjustments to the number of participants may be accommodated subject to availability. Please contact us as early as possible and we will do our best to assist.
If you cancel your photography booking for personal reasons more than 30 days before the scheduled session, a refund will be provided after deduction of the applicable administrative fee.
No refund will be provided if the photography session is cancelled for personal reasons after the session has commenced.
If the photography session cannot proceed as scheduled due to adverse weather conditions or other force majeure events, we will offer an alternative date or location.
All copyrights in the photographs remain the property of Visnow and/or its designated photographer. Clients are granted a non-exclusive, non-commercial licence for personal and family use only, including printing and sharing on personal social media platforms.
Visnow and/or its designated photographer reserve the right to use selected photographs for promotional and marketing purposes, including but not limited to websites, social media platforms, and promotional materials. If you do not wish your image to be used for public promotional purposes, you must notify us in writing before your booking or prior to the activity. Otherwise, your consent will be deemed to have been given.

Liability Waiver

1. Assumption of Risk

Participants represent and warrant that they are in suitable physical and mental condition to participate in any activities organised by Visnow.
Participants acknowledge and understand that skiing and snowboarding is an outdoor sport involving inherent risks, including but not limited to falls, abrasions, sprains, fractures, hypothermia, and other injuries. Except in cases of Visnow's wilful misconduct or gross negligence, Visnow shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage, or compensation arising from participation in its activities.
Visnow's lessons are available only to participants aged 3 to 60 years who are in good physical health. Visnow reserves the right to refuse service to any person who does not meet these requirements and shall not be liable for any resulting accident, injury, loss, or consequence.
Participation in any Visnow activity is entirely voluntary. Participants accept and assume all risks associated with their participation.
For safety reasons, instructors may modify the lesson content, practice area, skiing and snowboarding route, rest periods, or lesson schedule at their sole discretion. Such adjustments shall not constitute grounds for a refund.
Participants acknowledge the risks associated with skiing and snowboarding and understand that they are responsible for obtaining adequate personal travel insurance covering skiing and snowboarding activities, including any medical expenses or accident-related costs that may arise.
Participants are responsible for providing accurate, complete, and up-to-date information. Any loss or damage resulting from inaccurate or incomplete information shall be the participant's sole responsibility.

2. Limitation of Liability

Participants acknowledge and agree to the following:

Visnow will use reasonable care and make every effort to provide professional instruction and assistance. However, no activity can be guaranteed to be completely free of risk.
Participants confirm that they have read and understood the Insurance section of these Terms & Conditions and accept full responsibility for obtaining appropriate insurance coverage and ensuring that such coverage is adequate for their needs.
If a participant suffers injury or loss as a result of the acts or omissions of a third party during the activity, any legal liability shall rest with the relevant third party. Visnow shall not be liable for any resulting compensation.
If a participant causes injury, damage, or loss to any third party through their own actions during the activity, the participant shall be solely responsible for such liability, except where it results from Visnow's wilful misconduct or gross negligence.
If a participant fails to follow instructions given by Visnow staff, breaches safety rules, acts without authorisation, fails to use equipment correctly, or undertakes activities beyond their own ability, resulting in any accident, injury, or death, neither the instructor nor Visnow shall be liable, except in cases of Visnow's wilful misconduct or gross negligence.
Visnow accepts no responsibility for any accident, injury, loss, or damage occurring before the lesson begins, during breaks, or after the lesson has concluded when participants are no longer under Visnow's supervision.
If a participant leaves the lesson without the instructor's permission, such participant shall be deemed to have voluntarily withdrawn from the remainder of the lesson. From the time of departure, Visnow's instructional and supervisory responsibilities shall immediately cease. Any accident, injury, or loss occurring thereafter shall be the participant's sole responsibility.
If a participant voluntarily withdraws from the lesson for personal reasons before its completion, that participant will no longer be under Visnow's supervision. The participant acknowledges that Visnow's duty of supervision ends upon withdrawal, and all subsequent risks shall be borne by the participant. The lesson will continue for the remaining participants, and no refund will be provided for the unused portion of the lesson.
If a participant joins an activity provided by a third-party operator or partner arranged through Visnow, and any personal injury, accident, property damage, or loss occurs during that activity, legal responsibility shall rest with the actual activity provider and/or any other party legally responsible. Visnow will provide reasonable assistance where appropriate but shall not assume any legal liability or obligation to compensate, except where required by applicable law.
If a participant is injured or requires emergency medical assistance, Visnow may, where appropriate, contact emergency services or a medical facility on the participant's behalf. Participants shall initially be responsible for all related medical and associated expenses and may seek reimbursement through their personal insurance. Should it subsequently be determined that Visnow is legally liable, any compensation shall be handled in accordance with applicable law and the relevant insurance claims procedures.

3. Personal Property

Participants are solely responsible for safeguarding their personal belongings, including but not limited to mobile phones, wallets, passports, and other valuables. Visnow accepts no responsibility for any loss, theft, or damage to personal property.

4. Photography and Image Rights

During lessons, instructors or photographers may take photographs and videos for activity documentation. Selected images may be used for promotional purposes on Visnow's website, social media platforms, or other marketing materials. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, you must notify us before the lesson begins.
All copyrights in photographs and other visual materials remain the property of Visnow and/or its designated photographer. Participants are granted a non-exclusive, non-commercial licence to use the images for personal purposes only, including social media sharing and personal printing. The images may not be resold or used for any commercial purpose.
Visnow reserves the right to use photographs and other visual materials for branding, promotional, and marketing purposes, including on its website, social media platforms, and advertising materials. If you have specific privacy concerns, you must notify Visnow in writing before making your booking.

Visionis Partnership Statement

Visionis Unlimited ("Visionis") acts solely as a business partner of Visnow, providing customer acquisition support and payment collection services on Visnow's behalf.
Visionis does not organise, operate, or provide any activities or services to participants. Accordingly, Visionis assumes no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any activities, services, operations, or obligations of Visnow. All responsibilities, obligations, and legal liabilities relating to Visnow's activities and services shall be borne solely by Visnow.
By booking or participating in any activities or services provided by Visnow, participants agree to release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Visionis from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or relating to Visnow's activities, services, or operations, except to the extent caused by Visionis' own wilful misconduct or gross negligence. This includes, without limitation, claims relating to personal injury, property damage, cancellations, delays, or disputes.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan.

Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms & Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent District Court in Japan as the court of first instance.

Amendments

These Terms & Conditions take effect from the date of publication. Visnow reserves the right to amend or update these Terms & Conditions at any time without prior notice. The latest published version shall apply.

If you have any questions regarding these Terms & Conditions, please contact us at info@visnow.jp.