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Snowcountry Beginner Packages GET QUOTE GET QUOTE
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share room mid-week (Sunday night through to Thursday night) and is based on a 2-day/night package in 20/21.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 478
See reviews (3)

LEARN TO SKI & BOARD PACKAGES
From 2 Nights | 2 Days Instruction

Location: Gala Yuzawa/Ishiuchi/Iwappara/Joetsu Kokusai/Kandatsu/Maiko/Yuzawa/Yuzawa Kogen , Honshu , Japan
Standard: Standard ($$$)
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share room mid-week (Sunday night through to Thursday night) and is based on a 2-day/night package in 20/21.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 478
Whether you are a first-timer or someone who has tried a couple of times, this package of for those wanting to learn to ski or board from qualified English-speaking ski instructors in Japan. This is also a great add-on for anyone visiting Tokyo or nearby areas.
View inclusions & Add-ons
Inclusions
  • 2 nights twin-share accommodation at the famous Ryokan Takahan
  • 2 breakfasts & 1 traditional Kiseki multi-course dinners
  • 2 days of lift passes & daily mountain transfers
  • 2 days ski or snowboard instruction (max 1:4 ratio)
Add-ons
  • Ski or Snowboard rentals
  • Ski clothing rentals
  • Additional dinners
  • Additional nights/days
  • Massage
Not Included
Click here for rates, dates & availability
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
GET QUOTE GET QUOTE

Snowcountry Learn to Ski & Snowboard Packages

NB for the 2023-24 season the snowcountry packages will only include lessons and you can make a booking request for a quote for lessons. For lodging you can look at Yuzawa accommodation options here.

With annual snowfalls in excess of 10 metres at most of its ski resorts and over a dozen ski areas in close proximity, Echigo-Yuzawa (aka Snow Country) is an ideal place to base yourself for a Japan ski holiday.

Snow Country Instructors is an international ski & snowboard school offering lessons with qualified instructors at all resorts in the Yuzawa region.

Ability Level & Terrain

This package is specifically aimed at beginner to intermediate skiers and boarders wanting to take their skiing & riding to the next level. You will have your own instructor (max group 4 guests per instructor) who will help you to take your skiing and boarding to the next level and beyond.

All terrain is on-piste on gentle to moderate slopes that are ideally suited to learning.

Tour Duration

These packages are for a minimum of 2 nights & 2 days. It should be noted that because of the proximity of these resorts to Tokyo, they can get quite busy on weekends and the cost of accommodation increases substantially due to the high demand. It is therefore recommended that these packages take place from Sunday night through to Thursday night (however weekends can also be added as part of the package if required; subject to rooms being available).

Solos and Groups

You can join a group as a solo traveler or book as a private group.

Pricing

The "from price" is a guide based on twin share occupancy on a 2-day / 2-night package. Please enquire for a quote for your group size and duration.

Typical Itinerary

A Snowcountry Instructors' representative (or someone from the hotel) will greet you and pick you up from the Echigo-Yuzawa station.

The official check-in time for the hotel is 3:00 pm.

If time permits and you require ski or snowboard gear, your Snowcountry Instructor will take you to the rental shop where you can get set up with the necessary gear (including clothing if required). Otherwise this can be done in the morning on the way to the ski area.

On your first evening you will be treated to the ultimate Japanese dining experience; a traditional multi-course kaiseki dinner.

After dinner you can either head into town for a bit of nightlife or head for the comfy futon for a good night’s sleep before your first day on the slopes.

Day 1
After breakfast, your Snowcountry Instructor will pick you up at around 9:00 am and transport you to one of nearby ski areas where you will begin your lessons. A typical day will involve about 2 hours of lessons in the moring, an hour or so for lunch and then another 2 hours of lessons in the afternoon; after which you are free to continue to ski on your own if you like.

In the late afternoon you will head back to the hotel where you can soak your weary muscles in a rich therapeutic hot-spring bath and indulge in a Thai massage.

For dinner, you can either purchase additional kaiseki meals at the hotel or you are free to explore one of the many great (and inexpensive) restaurants in town.

Day 2+
Once again after breakfast it’s off to the ski area to improve your skiing or riding skills.

On check-out day you can have your bags stored at the hotel until you finish your day of skiing where you will then be dropped back at the station.

If you require a shower before heading onwards (after a day on the slopes), you are welcome to use the Hotel's onsen before hand.

Ryokan Takahan

The Takahan is a famous traditional Japanese ryokan (Inn) located just a couple of minutes’ drive from the Echigo-Yuzawa station. It is rich in history and has been in the same family for over 900 years (spanning 37 generations).

Rooms are traditional tatami (woven-straw) floors with Japanese futons. All rooms have a private bathroom (with bath tub) plus a flat-screen television and small fridge.

Facilities include traditional Japanese bathhouse (onsen), sauna and coin-operated laundry. There is also a relaxation lounge area with a massage chair.

Services include free wifi throughout the hotel and Thai massage services are available for an extra fee.

Included in the package is a traditional multi-course kaiseki dinner on the first evening plus daily breakfast for each night you stay.

This is a true Japanese cultural experience!


Ryokan Takasan..
...traditional Japanese-style rooms...
.....traditional kiseki meal

2019/20 Rates & Inclusions

You can make a booking request for 2023-24 rates for lessons

Rates


Full Price: ¥71,390
  • twin share per person
  • Saturday nights not included in sample price
  • single room upgrade - please enquire
  • additional nights/days with instruction & breakfast please enquire for a quote
  • base price & billing currency is in Japanese Yen
Inclusions
  • 2 nights twin-share accommodation at the famous Ryokan Takahan
  • 2 breakfasts & 1 traditional Kiseki multi-course dinners
  • 2 days of lift passes & daily mountain transfers
  • 2 days ski or snowboard instruction (max 1:4 ratio)
Add-ons
  • Ski or Snowboard rentals
  • Ski clothing rentals
  • Additional dinners
  • Additional nights/days
  • Massage
Not Included

Booking Conditions

DEPOSIT & FULL PAYMENT

  • Deposit is 20% of full tour price per person.
  • All deposits are non-refundable.
  • Final balance due: 30 days prior to departure.
  • All payments are in Japanese Yen (JPY) 

CANCELLATION BY YOU

  • more than 30 days prior to departure, full deposit forfeited.
  • Less than 30 days 100% forfeited.
  • Tour operator highly recommends you take out travel insurance at time of sending your deposit. 

CANCELLATION BY SNOWCOUNTRY INSTRUCTORS

Snowcountry Instructors reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure. In this case you will receive a full refund. You will not be entitled to make any further claim for compensation, damages, expenses, loss of time or inconvenience.

Skiing with Snow Country

Mariann
15/02/2019
  • Recommend
  • Would Reuse
  • Admin Rating
    1

Skiing with Snow Country

Mariann
15/02/2019
Snow Country provided excellent service and travel recommendations. I highly recommend using them when in the Yuzawa region.
See our video here

Great family package!

Keryn
21/01/2019
  • Recommend
  • Would Reuse
  • RiderType
    Alpine Skier
  • Ability
    First Timer
  • Age
    36-50
  • Home Country
    Australia
  • Month Visited:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    3

Great family package!

Keryn
21/01/2019
We booked a Beginner family package with Snowcountry Instructors for our family of 4 as part of our Japan trip in January 2019. We just wanted a short side-trip to the snow and this fit the bill nicely. It was an easy 80 minute trip on the Shinkansen from Tokyo and a highlight of our trip. Communication with the company and our instructor before and during our visit was excellent and it was great to have accommodation, ski lessons and lift passes etc all taken care of.
Our ski instructor Magda was very patient with us as beginner skiers, and was able to let us all progress at our own pace but also ensure we each got better over our two days skiing and had a good time. Accommodation at the Takahan Ryokan gave us a more authentic experience and was great.
See our video here

Snowboard lesson

Wilson Mak
02/01/2019
  • Recommend
  • Would Reuse
  • RiderType
    Boarder
  • Ability
    Beginner
  • Age
    36-50
  • Home Country
    Hong Kong
  • Month Visited:
    December
  • Admin Rating
    1

Snowboard lesson

Wilson Mak
02/01/2019
The instructor Quentin is excellent and experience. He could tell that I am not using my toe when facing uphill. The walk uphill was hard work and magic carpet should be provided to trainees. Overall, our skill had improved.
See our video here