Upcoming Japan Snow Season Update: Snow Forecast & Booking Tips⛷️

Konnichiwa!

Wow, it’s almost November, how did that happen? Before we know it, it’s going to be time to board that plane to Japan for some snow action. We’re pretty excited about that & we’re sure you are too! 

Now is a great time for you to start finalising some of the details of your trip if haven’t had a chance to - before things get too crazy with the festive season just around the corner.

The Snow Concierge team are off to Japan next month for a pre-season visit to our suppliers to make sure everything is ready for our clients. We’ll also getting the low down on the latest restaurants & bars in each resort, so we will know exactly where to send our awesome guests.

Snow Outlook

It’s also this time of year that we start to get questions about the snow outlook for the upcoming season. The great news is that it looks like it is going be a very good season if you like powder!

We don’t profess to be weather experts, so we rely on the scientists who get paid to do this for our insights. The weather wizards at Japan Meteorological Association (JMA) have predicted that there is a 60% chance of a La Niña event this winter. La Niña results in an increase in precipitation & cold weather – perfect for making snow. As a result, the JMA has predicted a 40% chance of above-average snowfall throughout Japan.

This of course is music to our ears, & we are super stoked for our clients who have locked in their trips already.

Of course it’s not too late, there are still several off the radar options available if you haven’t got around to booking, or if these forecasts have you rethinking your plans – more on that later in this newsletter.

High Demand for Accommodation & Services

Last week saw the Nagano Tourism Organization publish some incredible stats about the growth in visits to the region in the first 5 months of last year – up more than 90% compared with the same period in the prior year.

We have mentioned this already (a couple of times), but this season is shaping up to be super busy. The numbers speak for themselves, with most accommodation at the main resorts over the peak period of January to February being pretty much booked out.

This means that there will be high demand for anything snow-related, so there is no time to waste when locking things like ski/board hire, lessons & guides if you haven’t.

These are things you should think about finalising now if you haven’t already:

·         Lessons & Guides: English-speaking instructors & guides are always in huge demand. Be sure to book these in sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.

·         Ski & Snowboard Hire: Demand is expected to be very high in the more popular resorts this year so make sure you secure your preferred gear early. If you’re going to Hakuba, Niseko or Furano then we recommend Rhythm for great quality equipment and friendly service.

·         Travel Insurance: Isn’t just for when you are travelling, it protects you against any issues that may arise before you leave. So, if you haven’t already, now is the time to think about your requirements. It’s important to make sure any policy fits your travel needs. We work with Cover-More and Go Insurance who both offer snow & ski related travel insurance to Australians.

·         Passport Check: Verify that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date, especially if you're not booking flights through us (we will have checked this for those that have!)

·         International Driver's License: If you plan on driving in Japan, be sure to obtain an International Driver's License. This extends to ‘Mario Cart’ style tours. Even superheros need a valid International Driver's License to be able to drive around Tokyo. 😉

·         Transfers: If you are thinking about using a private transfer service to avoid the ‘bus-crush’ then you should lock this now.

·         Tours & Activities: Lastly, if you’re hoping to do anything outside of powder bashing, then you should consider booking this now as well, Snow Monkey tours, bike tours, etc. fill up quickly.

Last Minute Destinations

While it is true that most accommodation in the more well-known ski resorts is largely booked up over the peak season, there is still accommodation available at some lesser-known resorts.

There are still some excellent options available if you have decided that the combination of the weak yen & the prospect of a La Niña snow fest is too good to miss – even at this late stage.

Generally, these resorts are less well known, than some of the other big-name resorts because they might not be as big, or not offer the same après ski experience as those preferred by international visitors. But the snow & facilities are excellent & what’s more, you won’t be sharing the mountain with everyone else who has arrived to get amongst the legendary powder that Japan is known for.

There are many options we can help you secure if you are prepared to venture a little further off the beaten track. Get in touch if you would like to hear about these hidden gems.

Not long to go until the powder fairies arrive!

Wishing you peace, love & powder days

The Snow Concierge

Disclaimer:

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