Hakuba Snow Sports School
Terms & Conditions

Legally Binding Agreement, Assumption of Risk, Liability Waiver,

and Other Key Policies

1. Legally Binding Agreement

These Terms and Conditions form a legally binding contract between you ("Participant", "Client", "You") and Hakuba Snow Sports School ("the School", "we", "us", "our"). By booking, paying for, or participating in any lesson, course, or related activity with the School, you confirm the following:

You have read and understood these Terms and Conditions.
You agree to be legally bound by them.
You waive certain legal rights, including the right to sue.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not participate in any activities with the School.

If you are booking on behalf of a minor, you confirm that you are the parent or legal guardian of that minor and agree to be bound personally, as well as on behalf of the minor.

2. Express Assumption of Risk

By participating in skiing, snowboarding, or any snow-based mountain activities, you acknowledge and accept that these activities are inherently dangerous and involve significant risks, including but not limited to:

Serious personal injury
Permanent disability
Paralysis
Death
Property damage

The risks associated with these activities include, but are not limited to:

Falls at speed
Collisions with other skiers, snowboarders, instructors, or third parties
Collisions with trees, rocks, lift towers, snowmaking equipment, terrain park features, or other natural or man-made obstacles
Avalanches and variable snowpack
Sudden weather changes
Ice, hidden hazards, and changing terrain
Lift malfunctions
Equipment failure
Negligence of instructors, other participants, or third parties

You voluntarily and expressly assume all risks associated with participation, whether those risks are known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable.

3. Full Release and Waiver of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you hereby:

Release
Waive
Discharge
Covenant not to sue

Hakuba Snow Sports School, its directors, owners, employees, contractors, instructors, volunteers, agents, affiliates, and representatives ("Released Parties") from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, costs, or expenses arising out of or related to:

Personal injury
Illness
Death
Emotional distress
Property damage
Loss of income
Consequential or indirect losses

This includes claims arising from the negligence of the Released Parties. The waiver applies during lesson time, lift access during lessons, at meeting points, during equipment fitting, and during any related School activity. You understand that you are giving up substantial legal rights.

4. Indemnity and Hold Harmless

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any claims, damages, liabilities, legal fees, or costs arising from:

Your participation
Your negligence or misconduct
Claims brought by or on behalf of a minor you have registered
Any third-party claims caused by your actions

This indemnity survives the termination of this agreement.

5. No Liability for Personal Injury During Lesson Time

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the School shall not be liable for any injury, including catastrophic injury or death, occurring during lesson time or any School activity, regardless of cause. You acknowledge that participation is entirely at your own risk. Nothing in this agreement excludes liability where such exclusion is legally prohibited.

6. Medical Responsibility

By participating, you confirm that:

You are physically and medically fit.
You have no condition that may impair safe participation.
You have disclosed all relevant medical information.

The School is under no obligation to assess your medical suitability. You accept full responsibility for any medical costs arising from your participation.

7. Equipment Responsibility

You accept full responsibility for:

Ensuring your equipment is properly fitted and maintained.
Inspecting rental equipment before use.
Wearing protective equipment.

The School is not liable for equipment-related injuries unless required by non-excludable law.

8. Cancellation Policy – No Guaranteed Refunds

8.1 Client Cancellation

All bookings are final. Refunds, credits, or transfers are granted solely at the absolute discretion of management, who reserve the right to refuse any refund. No-shows, late arrivals, or partial attendance do not qualify for refunds.

8.2 Illness, Injury, Travel Disruption

No refunds are guaranteed for injury, illness, flight delays, accommodation issues, visa problems, travel disruption, or personal circumstances. You are responsible for obtaining appropriate insurance.

8.3 Weather & Conditions

Lessons may proceed in adverse conditions, including snow, wind, fog, and cold temperatures. The School has sole discretion to determine whether conditions are unsafe. If the School cancels, a reschedule, credit, or partial refund may be offered, but no refund is guaranteed. Management's decision is final.

8.4 Force Majeure

The School is not liable for cancellation or interruption caused by weather events, natural disasters, lift closures, pandemics, government restrictions, civil unrest, power outages, or circumstances beyond its control. Refunds in such cases are entirely at the discretion of management.

9. Removal Without Refund

The School may immediately remove any participant without refund if they:

Fail to follow instructions
Act recklessly
Endanger others
Are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Behave abusively

Management’s decision is final.

10. Limitation of Liability

Where liability cannot legally be excluded:

Total liability shall not exceed the amount paid for the lesson.
The School shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
No claim may be brought more than six months after the incident.

11. Photo and Media Release

You grant the School unrestricted, perpetual rights to use any photographs or video taken during activities for promotional, marketing, or commercial purposes without compensation.