Ski Japan on A Budget
Explore our top tips for skiing in Japan on a budget. Get more time on the slopes for less, with advice on affordable accommodation, lift passes, and more!
Skiing Japan doesn’t need to break the bank. Here we have outlined our top tips for getting maximum time on the slopes for minimal cost.
Book Early and Save
Early bookings for the Japanese resorts are generally considered to be bookings made before June 30 for the following ski season. Many accommodations will offer significant discounts on accommodation for bookings made in this time, and a further benefit of booking early is that the popular and best located properties will book out for peak dates so here early bookings are necessary.
Some of our picks for the best early bird offers for the coming 2017/18 season include:
Niseko offering up to 20% discount on self contained accommodation and 30% off the Niseko Hilton
Hakuba offering 15% discount and stay 7 pay 6 deals on many different accommodations
Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel offering a Stay 7 pay 4 deal at Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel (That’s over 40% discount)
Lock in an exchange rate
In recent years there have been huge shifts in the exchange rates between the Australian Dollar and the Japanese Yen. We recommend booking your holiday in Australian Dollars and locking in the rate at time of booking so you don’t run the risk of the Australian Dollar depreciating and you having to pay more than budgeted for.
Choose Value Accommodations
Value doesn’t mean the cheapest; for a ski holiday it may be a combination of location, service, snow quality and experience divided by the cost paid.
We have selected a number of accommodations in each resort we see as offering the most value:
Hakuba – Goryu Kan Hotel, Hotel Villa Hakuba
Take advantage of the package deals
There are many deals to be taken advantage of throughout Japanese ski resorts from free nights of accommodation, free ski hire, free lift tickets, kids discount, meal plans and more. Your best bet to get an idea of these offers at your chosen resort is to talk to a ski holiday expert.
Airline Sales
Your airfare will make a significant part of the cost of your ski holiday. By keeping up to date with airline sales through the ski season. You will be able to save significantly on the flight cost. Booking early is also a key factor here as the prices generally go up throughout the year unless there is a change like more flights being announced or new carriers entering. Mountainwatch Travel are exclusive ski holiday providers to Jetstar and Qantas offering our clients specials not available elsewhere. As a licensed travel agent we also offer all other carriers and are notified of these sales with prices guaranteed to be the same or cheaper than booking online.
Our Value Package of the Month is:
7 nights in Hakuba at Hotel Square
- 5 of 9 days multi resort lift pass Hakuba Valley
- Welcome drinks at Jacks Sports Bar
- 2 x 2 hour Mountain guiding at Happo One and Hakuba 47
- Priced at $820 per adult valid all season
Hotel Square Hakuba
Ideally located just a 5-minute walk to Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort, Hotel Square offers simple accommodation with basic services but in the best location possible. Guests can use hot spring baths located inside Hotel Goryukan, a 5-minute walk away.
Featuring mountain views, all guest rooms are fitted with a TV and a fridge. The private bathroom comes with a bath tub and a hairdryer.
The Square Hotel is a 3-minute walk from Happo Bus Stop.
Hotel Square is the ideal accommodation for those looking for maximum time on the slopes staying in a great location for a good price.
