IS THIS THE WINTER TO SKI IN JAPAN?
1st February 2020
Last modified on May 15th, 2021
Japan is home to some of the best powder skiing on the planet. Read here about the skiing in Japan holidays offered by Mabey Ski as snow finally falls.
Powder snow is the main reason skiers and snowboarders head to Japan.
This season may not be a bumper one, but the snow is now falling and there is plenty of time for more to fall with February just beginning.
In the land of the rising sun you’ll discover culture and hospitality like nowhere else.
Sample the freshest local cuisine or learn to make it yourself with a sushi class.
Meet snow monkeys in Nagano, soak up the sounds and colour of a traditional geisha performance in Kyoto or lose yourself in a cauldron of noise at the sumo hall in Tokyo.
Outside the towns, away from the tourists, you’ll find rest and relaxation at the authentic onsens (hot springs), while what about an open-air meal of ramen and katsu curry on the mountain.
For many Western skiers some of the experience may feel like a step back in time.
Step into Niseko’s winter wonderland…
Experience the dream-like powder its Hokkaido location delivers.
Niseko is perfectly set up for tourism, with warm and friendly service and English spoken everywhere.
There’s a large variety of high-end restaurants serving plenty of Western dishes – so it’s perfect for first-timers to Japan.
Accommodation options are plentiful, it’s well linked up and has popular options for cat skiing too.
For those who want to experience some quieter slopes, Rusutsu is just a day trip away.
If your legs are tired from skiing, you can try snowmobiling, a yoga class, go bowling or browse any of the beautifully curated stores and ski boutiques dotted around town.
For an immersion into the cultural side of Japan, look to Hakuba…
This massive area in the Japanese Alps has over 200 runs across 11 resorts.
It’s useful to have a car, however private drivers and transfers are offered by most hotels and lodges.
The accommodation ranges from traditional lodges to stunning modern chalets and the valley offers more local restaurants, making Hakuba feel like a true authentic experience.
It’s also a great spot to start a variety of day trips from.
See the snow monkeys, take a temple tour, experience a sake tasting and marvel at the size of the ski jump used at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
The Hakuba Valley is vast with hidden gems everywhere, making it the ideal destination for mixed groups and families.
About Mabey Ski
Mabey Ski was founded in 2017 by Nickie Mabey, who follows four generations of Mabey skiers dating back to 1912.
Nickie Mabey
It was Nickie’s fearless, thrill-seeking great-grandmother, Dorothy, who first hit the slopes of Adelboden a century ago on 230cm wooden skis, igniting a family passion for snow, style and adventure that’s burned ever since.
Check out the full details of what in on offer from mabeyski.com
