With less than six months out from the peak Japanese ski season it’s the perfect time to finalise the details of your upcoming snow trip.

(That is assuming you have one booked already – if not, we can help. Some excellent accommodation options are coming on the market as we speak – although don’t hang about as they won’t be around for too long based on this season’s demand for quality snow accommodation!)

Right, so you have booked your snow accommodation – check. Flights are locked in – check.

What else is there to sort out? You can indeed wait until you get to the resort to take care of a lot of things but there some tasks that you are better off taking care of ahead of time – rentals are a great example.

• Rental Gear

  While most of the major resorts have a good range of rental gear available, it never hurts to tee this up early. In fact, if you’re heading to Hakuba, Niseko or Furano this season then there are just a couple of days left to avail of Rhythm’s awesome 20% Early Bird discount on all rentals and lessons for the upcoming season.

  It’s worth noting that English-speaking ski instructors & guides are in high demand. If you were hoping to do some back-country touring or need do book the kids in for ski lessons, then now is the time to lock these in.

• Season Passes

  Both Epic & Ikon passes have associated resorts in Japan. Epic passes can be used at Hakuba Valley & Rusutsu Resort. While Ikon passes are accepted at Lotte Arai & Niseko United.

  The good news is that lift tickets in Japan cost a fraction of those in other parts of the world so if you don’t have an Epic or Ikon pass then it’s not a huge deal & it also means you’re not tied in to resorts on the passes.

• Non-snow Accommodation

  Finding the right accommodation for your snow trip is key to making sure you have an epic time & it is critical to lock that in as early as possible. But you aren’t done on the accommodation front just yet. Japan is experiencing record visitor numbers & it can be challenging to find good value in the bigger cities too. If you haven’t sorted this out yet, you should make this a priority to avoid paying overs. We get great deals on accommodation so feel free to reach out if you need help.

• Transportation

  Most of our clients use the Japanese rail network as much as possible when travelling in Japan. It’s reliable, affordable, safe & easy to use. Depending on your flight times and travel needs, we can also assist in booking private transfers to and from the resorts.

  We provide our customers with all of this information as part of their detailed itinerary in our app. If you haven’t thought about how you will get to & from the ski fields, then now is a good time to work through this.

• End-of-season sales

  If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, thin about getting those new goggles or boots you have been promising yourself. Not only will get the benefit of them this winter but you will hopefully pay less than at the start of the Northern Hemisphere season in Japan.

  This is true of all your snow kit – it’s a good idea to conduct a little audit of your gear & make sure the kids’ stuff still fits & that nothing is missing or damaged.

• Travel Insurance

  Travel insurance can provide financial protection in case of unexpected events before or during your trip. Consider purchasing a policy before you travel to ensure you're covered for potential cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost baggage. It's essential to carefully compare policies and choose one that aligns with your specific travel plans and needs. If you have any questions about travel insurance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

• Learn a Few Japanese Phrases

  The Japanese just love it when visitors make the effort to learn a little of their language. Basic greetings, and polite expressions like "thank you" (arigatō gozaimasu) and "excuse me" (sumimasen) can go a long way. It’s also worth downloading a translation app like Google Translate for navigating menus or asking for directions.

  A few essential phrases to get you started:

  • Konnichiwa (hello)

  • Ohayō gozaimasu (good morning)

  • Konbanwa (good evening)

  • Dō itashimashite (you're welcome)

  • Hai (yes)

  • Iie (no)

  • Onegaishimasu (please)

• Currency Exchange

  The Yen is currently experiencing its weakest point in 30 years. Many of our clients are taking advantage of this opportunity by exchanging some Yen in advance of their trip to Japan.

• Hit the gym

  This is more of a public service announcement than anything else! In our experience, the fitter you are, the more you enjoy skiing and snowboarding. You’ll no doubt want to make sure you are in as good a condition as possible to make the most of an amazing snow experience. We promise The Snow Concierge will endeavour to do the same!

We hope you’ve found these tips useful.

It’s always good to prepare before we all start the crazy run into the holiday period. You’ll sleep easier knowing that by the time you board that flight to Japan all you need to decide is which restaurants to go to when you get there – and of course we can help with that too!

Wishing you Peace, Love & Powder Days!

The Snow Concierge❄️

Disclaimer: The information provided on www.thesnowconcierge.com is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content has been prepared without considering your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs.

The Snow Concierge does not accept liability for any loss or damage, whether direct or indirect, arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided.