A trip to remember
Japan’s ski slopes deliver world-class snow, boasting predictable snow coverage, perfectly groomed trails, and constant monitoring of ski areas to ensure safe conditions. Plus, they are easily accessible from major international airports, simplifying travel logistics.
Schools can reliably schedule ski days from mid-December to the end of April, covering a full range of global school holidays. This includes Australian school holidays in late January, Chinese New Year, Easter breaks, or periods between terms and at the end of the school year, depending on your school’s location.
Japan also offers unique cultural and fun experiences that pair perfectly with winter sports. Students can soak in natural onsen (hot springs), visit the famous snow monkeys at Jigokudani, enjoy vibrant winter festivals with lanterns, ice sculptures, and sled rides, or even build Japanese-style igloos (kamakura) and snow lanterns. Beyond the slopes, après-ski activities include Japanese calligraphy, Taiko drumming lessons, and soba (buckwheat noodles) making, providing a rich cultural immersion.
Your Local Ski Trip Partner: La Colina Outdoor
When planning a school trip to Japan, it pays to work with an experienced local partner. La Colina Outdoor is a 100% locally-owned, licensed travel agency based between Nagano and Niigata, at the heart of Japan’s ski country. We’ve proudly arranged ski trips for international schools in Japan (from Tokyo and Yokohama) and for groups from countries like Thailand, China, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
Unlike generic tour companies, we design and operate every itinerary ourselves, allowing us to tailor your trip perfectly to your group’s unique needs. Key benefits of partnering with us include:
Custom itineraries
We’ll build a program based precisely on your group’s size, skill levels, schedule, and budget. Whether you have beginner or advanced skiers/snowboarders, we recommend the best ski resort and accommodation to cover the needs of primary school students through high school students. While we specialize in ski trips in the Madarao, Myoko, Shigakogen, and Yuzawa areas, we also have extensive experience planning adventures in Hokkaido and Tohoku.
Bilingual coordination
Our dedicated staff speak fluent English and Japanese. We handle all coordination in advance – from hotel bookings and transport to lift passes and reservations. On the ground, we accompany your group, swiftly resolve any issues, and ensure smooth communication every step of the way. Your school simply shows up and skis!
Licensed english-speaking instructors
All ski and snowboard instruction is arranged in English. We work exclusively with certified instructors at local resorts who hold at least a Level 2 qualification issued by a recognized organization such as the International Ski Instructor’s Association (ISIA). Groups are pre-arranged based on students’ ski levels and can be adjusted following the instructor’s initial assessment.
Safety planning
La Colina conducts comprehensive risk assessments using ISO 31030 Travel Risk Management guidelines. Our goal is to ensure both a fun trip and complete peace of mind for educators and parents alike.
Exclusive lodging
No matter your group size, we have access to exclusive ski-in/ski-out accommodation at discounted rates, all-inclusive. Whether you prefer Western-style bedding or need to cater for halal food, we will provide suitable options for your school.
Cultural experiences
We collaborate with a robust network of local partners to provide enriching cultural experiences after a day on the slopes. This can range from visits to shrines or hot springs towns to snow festivals or traditional craft-making activities. We also offer guided trips to Tokyo, including visits to iconic landmarks like museums, Skytree, famous parks, or vibrant shopping districts such as Ginza, Akihabara, or Shibuya.
Arrival
- Pick up from the airport by bilingual guide
- Charter bus to destination
- Briefing about the trip
- Dinner at destination hotel
- Check and fitting ski/snowboard gear prepared in advance by the hotel
Daily
7:30 – Breakfast
8:30 – Slopes meeting
9:00 – 16:00 – Ski / Snowboard lesson, including 1h for lunch
16:30 – Return to hotel. Hot springs / shower
18:00 – Dinner
19:30 – 21:30 – Free time / evening activities
22:00 – Lights out
Departure
7:30 – Breakfast
9:00 – Hotel departure in charter bus
9:30 – 11:30 – Visit to Jigokudania Snow Monkeys park
12:00 – Lunch
13:30 – 15:30 – Visit to Hokusai museum and Obuse village
15:30 – Charter bus to Tokyo or airport drop off
Tokyo Trip
7:30 – Breakfast
8:30 – Charter bus trip to TeamLab Planets with guide
9:30 – 11:30 – TeamLab Planets visit
11:30 – 13:30 – Visit to Miraikan Museum
13:30 – 14:30 – Lunch
15:30 – 17:30 – Visit to SkyTree tower
18:00 – Charter bus to airport
Standard Package
starting from 100,000yen per person – conditions apply
- 6-Nights Accommodation: Stay at your chosen ski-in/ski-out hotel, with room occupancy arranged to suit your group’s needs (e.g., quad-share for students, twin/single for teachers).
- Breakfast and Dinner at the Hotel: Enjoy daily breakfast and dinner served at your accommodation. We cater for dietary restrictions and halal requirements upon prior request.
- Lunch Vouchers: Receive daily lunch vouchers for use at designated ski resort restaurants, offering flexibility and choice on the slopes.
- Airport Transfers: Enjoy seamless round-trip pick-up and drop-off at the airport via a private charter bus, accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
- 5 Days of Ski/Snowboard Lessons and lift tickets: Comprehensive 9 AM to 4 PM daily lessons with qualified English-speaking instructors. We recommend a 6:1 student-to-instructor ratio for optimal learning, adjustable to your desired number.
- Full Ski/Snowboard Rental Package: Includes high-quality ski wear (jacket, pants, helmet) and full equipment (skis/snowboard, poles, and boots).
- Detailed Pre-Departure Summary & Briefing: Receive a comprehensive pre-departure summary and detailed itinerary well in advance. This includes a thorough risk assessment to ensure all safety considerations are addressed. You’ll also have the opportunity to arrange video calls with our team to go through all the details and answer any questions.
- 24h Emergency Contact Support: Benefit from 24/7 emergency contact support throughout your trip, ensuring peace of mind for teachers and parents.
- Flights
- Insurance
- Optional activities
- Hakuba Cortina: It is a good option for school trips that might have a mix of skill levels, from beginners to advanced skiers, due to its 16 diverse courses. It’s known for its abundant, high-quality powder snow. The “pot-shaped” structure of the resort means most runs converge, making it easier for groups to stay together or regroup. There’s also a “Snow Play Park” for those not skiing.
- Madarao Tangram: It offers a good mix of slopes for all skill levels (30% beginner, 35% intermediate, 35% advanced) and a strong focus on family-friendly amenities. This includes a dedicated “Kids’ Park” with various snow activities like carousels and sledding, making it engaging for younger students or those new to snow. The resort also boasts excellent snow quality (“Madapow”) and convenient ski-in/ski-out accommodation options.
- Maiko Snow Resort: It has excellent accessibility from Tokyo (close to an expressway IC) and can cater to various skill levels. The “Maiko Area” specifically features many flat and wide slopes perfect for children and families. While it also offers challenging ungroomed courses for advanced skiers, the diverse terrain ensures that beginners and intermediate skiers in a school group will find suitable runs and can progress safely.
- Myoko Ikenotaira: Highly recomended for beginners and younger children, due to its wide, gentle slopes and family-friendly atmosphere. It features a snow park and various kid-friendly activities. There are also designated sledding and kids’ ski areas with magic carpets, ensuring a safe and fun learning environment.
- Naeba Ski Resort: It is a popular and easily accessible option from Tokyo, making logistics for school trips potentially smoother. It’s very kid-friendly with a good kids’ park and a ski school that even starts indoors, which is a great advantage for introducing very young or new skiers to the sport regardless of weather. While it beginners slopes can be crowded, the resort offers extensive terrain suitable for various levels, and access to the Kagura Ski resort thorugh the “Dragondola”.
- NASPA Ski Garden: It is a unique option as it’s dedicated exclusively to skiing (no snowboarding allowed), which might appeal to some school groups. Despite being a small size resort, it offers a good balance of beginner and intermediate slopes, which make it perfect for schools with small children looking to have a very safe and integrated experience. The resort is directly connected to the Hotel New Otani, providing convenient ski-in/ski-out access. It has a “Pingu Kids Garden” for sledding and snow play, equipped with a snow escalator, making it very child-friendly.
- Palcall Tsumagoi: Its expansive and gentle slopes make it ideal for learning, and its high altitude guarantees great snow from early season. The resort offers kid-friendly buffets, and praises for fast lift lines and ski instructors for all skill levels. It’s generally well-equipped for school groups looking for a dedicated learning experience.
- Ryuoo Ski Park: Offers excellent beginner terrain near the base, making it a good choice for school groups with many novice skiers. It also has ski-in/ski-out accommodation options that are often affordable. While the upper areas cater to more advanced riders with good powder and terrain, the focus on beginner slopes and a dedicated kids’ ski school makes it suitable for school groups focusing on learning and progression. The Sora Terrace offers spectacular views, adding a non-skiing highlight.
- Shigakogen: Biggest ski domain in Japan, recommended for those seeking reliable snow conditions and a longer season due to its higher elevation. It offers a variety of slopes and has moving sidewalks in certain areas. While it boasts excellent snow, its vastness (being a collection of resorts) might require careful planning for larger school groups to ensure everyone is catered for.
Contact us today and we will help you with a non-binding proposal.
We help you find a destination that suits your budget and wishes for your group trip. We provide suggestions for experiences that engage and offer participants unique adventures they wouldn’t find on their own.