Ski Yamagata for Beginners
This trip is ideal for beginners, including first timers, to learn to ski or snowboard, enjoy snow play, and experience Japanese culture. Rather than being a daunting process to learn to ski, this supportive almost all-inclusive package takes care of all the logistics including snowsports lessons, snow activities, lodging, transport, snow clothing and equipment, and breakfast and dinner. The trip is across 5 days and 4 nights, with a day of snow play and culture, and 2 days of skiing, but you can customise the trip to make it longer if you wish.
This tour is designed for novices and beginners. Lessons start from the basics and progress gradually.
Highlights
- Get cultural insights from your Japanese host
- Gentle beginner ski lessons with local instructors and opportunity to ski the scenic Zao slopes
- Stay in a Japanese traditional hot spring inn (ryokan) as well as cosy forest cottages
- Enjoy bathing in a hot spring, known as onsen, which is a delightful Japanese pastime that's ideal after you've been skiing
- Play in deep snow with banana boat rides, snowmobiles, and sleds
- Hands-on kokeshi doll painting with local artists
- Local Japanese meals included throughout the tour (breakfast & dinner)
- Boutique trip for your small group so very personalised service
If you want to check availability or have other questions,
please make contact.
Group Type
These trips are for private groups only i.e. you cannot join a group as a solo traveller. The maximum group size is 12 people. You can
make a booking request to get a quote for your desired trip duration and group size.
Lessons
The snowsports lessons are private lessons for your party. It's ideal if everyone wants to learn to ski or snowboard, although it is possible to accommodate groups where some members wish to ski and others snowboard.
The minimum age for both ski and snowboard lessons is 4 years old.
Destinations
You'll start the trip staying at
Pole Pole Farm which is a remote part of the Yamagata Prefecture near
Gassan. From there, potential ski areas that you'll visit are
Yudonosan or
Asahi Shizenkan, which both have gentle slopes that are ideal for beginners.
For the second part of your trip, you'll stay in a hot spring inn in
Zao Onsen and if you're feeling comfortable, you'll ski/snowboard at Zao Onsen, which is very picturesque on fine days. Or skiing at Yudonosan or Shizenkan is also possible.