SNOW TRIP PLANNER

When & Where to go? Ideally do this 1 year out - bear in mind Peak season (December through March), school holidays & public holidays such as Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year. 

Then around 10-11 months out and at least 6-9 months out decide and book the following:

Flights:  We've booked direct flights 11 months out before - and there were only a few seats left! If you're heading to Niseko or Rusutsu, book direct flights in to Sapporo if you can, if not, go for the streamlined connections

if you are not visiting other parts of Japan.

Airport Transfers: Book alongside flights to guarantee your desired transport & timing, 

if not included with a package

Accommodation: Go with your priorities and budget - if you book early enough (see Timeline),

you shouldn't have any availability issues. TIP - lock your flights in first!

Ski Schools: Decide which one suits your family best & book early to guarantee lesson places for your dates.

Equipment Rental: Book alongside your ski schools TIP: it's convenient to have rental & school in one place! 

Gear Purchase: 

Global online: Snowinn

Tokyo: Ski Shop Vail & Aspen in Jimbocho or  ICI  & Uniqlo in Shinjuku 

Hong Kong: Decathlon, Marmot, Molo & USA's Evo and Backcountry

Singapore: Decathlon, Roxy, Quicksilver, Uniqlo & gear Rental SG: Popsicle Asia

Australia: Great deals on Auski, Roxy, Quicksilver & Uniqlo

USA: Evo , Backcountry, Amazon, Uniqlo

UK: Absolute Snow, Snow Leader, Uniqlo, Decathlon

Packing: Ok you can call us a little too neurotic on this one...Start getting gear organised 3-6 months out.

Why? Kids are growing year to year & so its pretty much guaranteed you're going to need to 

either buy new, recycled or rent for that next size or two up. 

HOT tip - Layering and waterproof gear is key for warmth!  It's freezing out there - temperatures range

from average -8 to -20 degrees celsius with wind chill, greater altitude or night skiing - & snowfalls are frequent! 

So what is needed? Snow Gear Essentials (refer below for PDF) Our seasoned suggestions for the active kids (3-12) and adults are as follows:

Outerwear (10,000 ATM preferable) 1 ski pant (adults) or overall/braces style (kids) , 1 ski jacket, 2 warm snow gloves,

2 thermal sets (pants, tops) & base layers - recommend long sleeved fleece tops with 1/4 zip aka zip neck, 

4 pairs ski socks, 2 ski hats and face masks/necks (non-itchy or fleece for sensitive skin), 

1 pair waterproof snow boots  - good grip soles and we go a size up from shoes so can fit ski socks & 

1 pair goggles (anti-fog, photo chromatic or yellow or light orange tint) & Sunscreen & Lip balm

Powder Skis and Snowboards For those investing or renting, shorter, fatter skis with powder straps (for off piste) and

a longer snow board with bindings set back suggested.

For Apres & backup gear

At night, it will more than likely be dumping snow when you venture out for dinner & the kids are going to want to play in it - guaranteed!

Use your ski gear if it is dry already (most lodging have drying rooms) OR we suggest..

Outerwear: (at least 4000-8000 ATM) 1 snow pant & jacket/down jacket & gloves

2 extra thermals and base layers - easy to remove if it gets too warm indoors

Extra snow hat/beanie, neck/scarf, socks and Snow boots or grip sneakers

Extra HOT tips: Label all the kids gear  - things can get pretty crazy at ski school! And when packing,

keep warm gear such as hat, gloves and jacket handy for arrivals in the cold snow.

Other non-snow, Japan related items: JPY exchange at your local office & take cash as some restaurants are cash only - there's few international ATMs around in the resorts. Power plug adapter for electronics - same as US in shape, 100v. If you have over 200v as per Europe, can get adapter for this. Verify wifi access at your accommodation and if not available, pick up a wifi rental device from the airport. Google translate APP can come in handy & it's a good idea to read up on onsens and what to expect

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