14 Things To Know When Planning A Ski Trip To Japan

1 Consider Hiring A Guide For A Day

Japan’s ski resorts are harder to navigate than those in North America, with few signs and a gate system that, while sensible, can take a little getting used to. We followed a guide on one trek from the summit of Niseko for a solid hour of flat cruising to get back to the base area. A day with a guide will help you learn the ropes of the Japanese resort while helping you score untracked powder on day one
Be sure to vet your guide, ensuring that they carry liability insurance and knowledge of the mountains you’d like to ski. Our guides at NOASC had led skiers in the area for more than 20 years, knew the mountains well, and were a valuable resource for logistical planning, going so far as to meet us at the airport in Sapporo, a three-hour drive from their home.

2 Enlist Local Knowledge

This is obviously related to number one, but can also be helpful in planning. When contacting guide services long before your trip, ask them for help in booking rooms and lift tickets. While some Japanese do speak English well, especially in touristy towns like Niseko, some smaller resorts, hotels, and restaurants can be hard to find and book without help.

3Don’t Plan To Drive

You can’t rent a car in Japan unless you have an international drivers license. So don’t plan to show up and rent a car from the airport. In Hokkaido, bus travel is the way to go, but because they are popular they can be busy, book them early, online.

4Powder Skiing Hokkaido

While there are a few regions with good skiing in Japan, my experience was to the northern snow-paradise of Hokkaido. Hokkaido is home to arguably the world’s powder capitol, Niseko, as well as highly regarded resorts like Rusutsu and Furano. To fly here internationally, fly to the Sapporo airport. You will most likely have a connection in Tokyo (the direct United flight from Denver is wonderful) or at another large international airport
It’s worth noting that Niseko comprises four unique resorts: Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village, Niseko Annupuri, and Niseko Hanazono. The resorts are all interconnected through gates, and can all be ridden on a single lift ticket from Niseko United.

5Hit The ‘Hot Box’

If you don’t function without your daily Java, you will quickly decipher any new country’s coffee situation. In Japan, just find the nearest convenience store (or vending machine!), and grab a can from the shelves labeled “hot” (or just feel around). These cans are indeed hot, and they contain pretty good coffee. With some luck and experimentation, you will figure out which cans are sweetened, black, creamed, and so-forth. Enjoy the uncertainty!

6Dress For A Blizzard

We were there to test Columbia’s latest OutDry Extreme insulated line of ski gear, and it performed amazingly, keeping me dry and warm for day after day of deep powder skiing. For those with less-than-awesome apparel, be sure to bring an extra pair of gloves, goggles, and base layers in case things don’t completely dry overnight.

7Expect Insane Amounts Of Snow

I could not believe the amount of snow that falls in Hokkaido. Of course, it has its dry days, but our guide from NOASC said the longest dry spell he’d seen in 20 years lasted just a week.
All this snow is, of course, awesome for skiing, but can lead to a few dangers. First, bring an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe. Some areas within resort boundaries require you to check your beacon at the gate. No beacon, no pow!

8Skis Might Have To Ride Inside (And Wear A Sock)

Somehow, even with all the fat skis on the mountains, many of the gondolas we rode at Niseko and Rusutsu couldn’t hold the fatter ones on the outside. The gondolas are small inside, so get ready for a cozy ride with your skis, covered by a board cover to not scratch the windows.

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