For many people, Japan is the dream ski trip location. Images of bottomless powder, incredible food, and incredible spa experiences are all that you see from trips there. But planning a trip to an entirely new country completely around skiing can be a difficult and stressful task. Fortunately professional Swedish skier Malou Peterson provided some very helpful base tips for planning such a trip.
Her tips include renting a car, hiring a guide if you have the budget, checking out as many smaller resorts as possible, and the differences between locations and her favorite locations from her travels. So without further ado, her tips are as follows:
– I 100% recommend renting a car. Even if you are staying at one place – there are so many honey holes around the resorts. Both in terms of skiing, but also food and onsens. You will need an international driving licence.
– Main island vs north island: Main island has the big terrain, mini spines & ridges + hot tubbing monkeys and weird antelope bears. North island has more boppier bouncy terrain and flying tiny squirrels and in my experience more likely to get very light snow + better ramen than main island.
– Sapporo is fun. 2 million people live there, but 15-30 minute drive from there you got some primo powder skiing. You have to eat the soup curry.
– Niseko although it’s popular its still very much worth it imo. It’s popular for a reason. The night skiing there is the best one. Lots of touring options in the area. The view over Mt.Yotei from there is absolutely incredible. Definitely recommend getting up there if you get a sunny weather window. Hire a guide if you don’t have the experience in the backcountry.
– Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort next to niseko is fun.
– Furano is amazing. I recommend staying at Yukari Cabins
– If you have the budget, hire a local guide to show you the spots at the start of your trip. It set you up good for the rest of the trip on where to ski.
– There are plenty of small resorts all over the island that are worth exploring.
– As always when traveling be kind, thread lightly and be respectful of the places you visit. Some places and zones are magical and the urge to show and tell the world is there, I know, but it’s not a visitors secrets to tell.
– Tokyo is a must.
– Have fun! Japan is the best the people and places there are absolutely amazing and inspire me so much.
If that’s not enough information, fear not, Malou has an even more in depth guide available for purchase through Arctic Monkey Club. It’s over 100 pages, and includes everything from where to sleep, where to eat, what guides to look for, where to ski, pros and cons of different locations, and where to relax. You can purchase it for $30 here.