Ok, so you’ve finally booked your long-awaited snow trip to Japan. If it’s your first time skiing or snowboarding, you’re probably wondering what clothing & equipment you’re going to need and whether you should buy or hire.

Well, we’ve got your back with this go to guide of everything you need to make your first ski or snowboard trip to Japan a success!

Hire

First up, we strongly recommend hiring the following, rather than buying:

• Helmet

• Skis/ Poles/ Boots

• Snowboard/ Boots

Why do we think you’re best off hiring these items?

Well, first up, it takes a little while to work out what equipment works for you, & the beauty of hiring means that you can swap out your skis or snowboard, or your boots to make sure they are perfect for you.

On top of this, the equipment that you’ll use as a beginner is exactly that, for beginners. Assuming you advance quickly (& you’re AWESOME, so why wouldn’t you!?), then you won’t want to be stuck with beginner kit that will slow you down later.

Buy

• Gloves. You’ll want to buy two pairs – a set of ski gloves/ snowboard mittens plus pair of woollen gloves or mittens for use when you’re not skiing. Ski gloves will likely be too wet to wear in the evenings so definitely make sure you have a separate pair of casual gloves!

• Buff/ Neck warmer. These are a godsend on cold days & can be kept in a pocket when not needed. (We love buffs so much, they even featured in our most recent client gift range!)

• Thermals – top and bottom layer. Uniqlo do an excellent range of these in HEATTECH. They are super thin so can go under almost anything & keep you nice & toasty. Layers are KEY in the snow!

• Goggles – get low light or neutral lenses. Ideally look to buy goggles with changeable lenses, but if you’re just getting the one, then orange & amber lenses are suited to most conditions.

• Ski socks – it’s incredibly important to have proper ski socks for comfort, preferably merino if the budget will allow. Normal everyday socks just won’t cut it, although The Snow Concierge herself has been known to skip socks altogether & just go with a pair of HEATTECH tights. (We have no affiliation with Uniqlo, we just really rate their gear!)

Hire or Buy – depending on your preference & budget.

• Ski/ Snowboard Jacket

• Ski/ Snowboard Pants

• Snowboard wrist guards – if you’re hiring or buying wrist guards, make sure you try them on with your mittens to ensure they fit!

Most hire places these days will kit you out with some pretty smart looking gear but, understandably, many people prefer to buy their own.

So, what to look out for?

Be sure to look at the waterproofing levels & aim for a minimum of 10K - this refers to how many millilitres of water the item can withstand, 10K (or 10 litres) being the standard – the higher the number, the better.

Japanese snow conditions tend to be drier than we’re used to in the Southern Hemisphere, there is less rain due to colder temps & the snow itself is drier, especially up north in places like Appi, Niseko and Furano. In our experience this means you don’t typically need as much waterproofing.

Ideally, aim to wear a base layer, a middle layer, & an outer layer. All ski gear has temperature limits, & we all have different tolerances to the cold. By layering, you can easily adjust your clothing to suit the conditions and find what works best for you.

Some of the best-looking kit isn’t necessarily the most practical. Make sure you consider things like having enough pockets in both the pants & the jackets & maybe even a powder skirt for when you’ve levelled up & you’re owning that Japow.

If you picked up some Aldi ski gear in this year’s sales & you’re wondering if it’s any good, be sure to check out our article on the topic. And if you’re thinking about waiting until you get to Tokyo to shop, then here’s our guide on where to go & what to look out for.

Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions about kitting yourself out for your Japan snow adventure!

Wishing you Peace, Love & Powder Days. ❄️