The below information is for beginners who wants to do Skiing. I have
consolidated below information on my experience on skiing in Japan. But in
other countries also procedure will be more or less same.
First of all
some Japan ski location information follows.
Madarao Sanpatekku and/or Madarao Kogen
These are
places in Nagano prefecture. This place is our favorite, since the price is
reasonable and they have nice ski slopes, hotel and onsens. Distance is around
300km from Tokyo area.
The
Itinerary with night bus will be something like below.
Friday night
bus from Shinjuku around 9pm (They have shuttle service to other major stations
also).
Saturday
morning will reach at the ski resort and will do skiing until evening. And stay
at resort.
Sunday do
skiing in the afternoon and return. Will reach Shinjuku by night around 9pm.
(Ofcourse
other days are also available).
Round trip
cost per person will come upto 15,000 JPY to 18,000JPY range.
(Price per
person depends on number of persons per room.)
Items
included in this price are: Up and down bus ticket, Ski equipment rental,
Unlimited Lift ticket (to go to mountain top to ski down), Dinner and
Breakfast.
If you can
go by car, then the price per person can further reduced by around 5000 JPY.
Some links
follows
http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-ski-resorts/nagano/iiyama/madarao-kogen?resid=25
http://www.madarao-sanpa.co.jp/
Gala Yuzawa
I guess this
is the favorite of many Indians in Japan, since this place is nearest to Tokyo
(Around 200km) and is convenient since direct train access is there.
You can get
one day pass for Gala that includes train tickets, lift ticket and discount for
the ski rentals. Costing will come around 16,000 JPY for a round trip, without
food and accommodation.
Some links
follows.
http://www.galaresort.jp/winter/english/
http://www.galaresort.jp/winter/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7690.html
Fujiten
This place
is just 150 km from Tokyo area. If you are visiting places near Fuji mountain
area on holidays, you can easily club this location. And have ski there. They
have nice play ski slopes for kids also.
Some links
follows
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6931.html
http://www.fujiten.net/pc/
Some
additional places follows. I have not tried them yet, but friends has
recommended the same.
Prince Naeba
Green Plaza Joetsu Kokusai
Green Plaza Hakuba
Note
Please note
that these places are just for reference purpose. There are many ski resorts in
Japan and can be easily accessed via car.
Some
additional information follows
Ticket booking
Go to any JR
Station or Keio station and then go to their Ticket offices and you will get
the packages from there. Since the tickets will get booked 2 weeks in advance,
plan in advance and then make booking.
Ski or snow board
You can
select ski board (1 board for each leg) or snow board (Both legs on one board),
depending on your preference. I have tried only ski board.
Training
For half day
training, the price ranges from 3000 to 7000 JPY per person, depending on the
ski resort. This training is a must for beginners. They will teach you how to
fall down properly, apply break etc. With this half day training you will be
able to take small slopes, without falling. If needed you can extend training
by paying more. They will usually speak broken English.
Items needed
You need ski
gloves, sunglass, sun screen creams. Then you can rent the jackets there or if
you have one you can use your own. Don’t wear jeans or any thick clothes,
better to use track suits. Then preserve some balms for the night for all the
muscles :)
Ski/Travel Insurance:
The price
will range from 100 to 2000 JPY per person.
This is
highly recommended. Even if you fall down and break the bones, full medical
expense will be free. :)