Going on a skiing holiday can be nothing short of magical. The exhilaration, the fun, and the beautiful locations give skiing a high position on most peoples’ bucket lists. But, it can sometimes feel too expensive and costly to do. Nowadays, there are many countries to choose from for your next skiing holiday. Today, we will look at Japan as a potential destination. And we’ll see if it is of good value or too costly to be worth the trip.
Is Japan expensive for skiing?
Compared to the rest of the world which boasts amazing skiing and incredible resorts, Japan is not so expensive. Of course, it does have an impact on where you are travelling from. In Europe, you may find it less expensive to go to the Alps, for example. But once you were there, skiing in Japan would be no more costly than in any of the resorts in the Alps and could be cheaper.
Similarly, it is generally thought of as less expensive to ski in Japan than in Australia or New Zealand. If you factor in travel and everything that goes along with it, it may seem likely so. For many people, Japan, over the last few years, has become the dream destination. Some desire a skiing trip for its inexpensive skiing, stunning views, or the joy of being in Japan itself.
How much is it to ski in Japan?
Exactly how much you will spend skiing in Japan will depend on where exactly you go. As well as renting equipment, taking lessons, and including eating and drinking in the cost. There are more expensive areas, often those that are better known, and some that are less expensive. Further, the time of year you go can make a huge difference.
The ski season runs from the end of November or the start of December through to April. The peak months are taking place in January and February. If you are happy to go a little later you may be able to ski in March or early April for a much lower price.
The resort you choose to stay at will similarly have a large impact on how much you pay. If you are looking for a luxurious experience with all the amenities, you could imagine it will set you back more than a basic place to stay. So, it is up to you what kind of holiday you want and what you are willing to spend.
Things you should take into account.
Here are some of the likely expenses you will incur. Though again, there are sure to be others and some of these may be covered in the cost of your resort:
- Ski Pass – 3500-5000 yen or £20-30 for a day.
- Renting Skis – around the same can be more or less depending on equipment
- Accommodation – varies massively from 5000 to 30,000+ yen depending on where you are and what kind of room you want to stay in.
- Food – generally cheaper than buying food in such a setting in other countries, a meal out can again vary from a few pounds to 5000+ yen depending on what you are ordering and which place you are eating in.
- Travel – impossible to generalise as you could be travelling from Australia, the UK, or from within the country itself. It is worth taking your travel into account though, and you will see once you are in Japan that some resorts are closer and easier to get to from various cities and airports than others.
The total actual cost of skiing in Japan depends on too many factors to estimate. But it is clear that you can have an extravagant and luxurious holiday or travel and ski on a budget. To simply put, it all really is up to you. There are ways in which skiing in Japan could be called very expensive. But generally, it is less expensive than other similar holidays in alternative countries.
Is skiing in Japan worth the cost?
The next question worth considering is if these costs are in fact a good use of your money. Sometimes when you compare skiing to other activities you can clearly see the difference in how much you pay. But you aren’t just getting a holiday and you aren’t just getting to try a cool activity, you are getting both at the same time.
When going on any holiday you have to stay somewhere. Staying at an Active Life resort, for example, with amenities like a ski pass, hot springs, or a dozen other exciting extras, will actually cost you less than an average night at a London hotel. In those terms, skiing in Japan is more than worth the cost for all that comes with it.
Further, the views and scenery around Japan are amongst the most beautiful in the world. Your vistas and places to look at, you will never forget. The snow is also thought to be pretty special in Japan, with real deep powdery snow that makes the trip worth it for any skiing aficionado.
With the greater publicity of two Winter Olympic Games to show more and more people just how wonderful skiing is in Japan, it is surely something worth experiencing at least once, and it will never cost you less money than right now. With growing popularity comes higher costs, so to really get the best value for your holiday considers visiting Japan sooner rather than later.
Conclusion
While skiing holidays are almost impossible to class as ‘cheap’, going skiing in Japan is no more expensive than in most places. And definitely great value for your money as well. You can stay in an incredible resort, bask in the beautiful scenery and enjoy the lovely people and delicious foods available at the same time.
Head to Japan now for some of the best snow in the world! Then, you will see just how worth it the trip really is.