Itinerary
Zao'Tastic
This is one for those who want to really explore Japan. If the Australian-dominated larger ski resorts are not for you, and authenticity is what you seek then Zao Onsen is the resort for you. And we're presuming that in making that choice, you would also want to see something of this magnificent country?
With only four days skiing, it would be easy to adapt this itinerary to include more days on the slopes either in Zao Onsen or another nearby ski resort. Indeed, heading north - deeper in to the Tohoku region - offers some amazing off-the-beaten-track possibilities, with the wonderful ski resorts of Appi Kogen, Alts Bandai and Geto Onsen within striking distance. The jewel in the crown for anyone heading deeper in to the north of Honshu Island would be Hakkoda mountain - a thrilling, deep powder experience with one single ropeway to the summit and not a piste-basher in sight.
day-by-day itinerary
Suggestions & Variations
With no set departures or fixed dates this itinerary can be extended, or even curtailed, to suit your available dates or match your budget.
More time skiing? Four days on the slopes not enough? Fine...we can either build in more time in Zao Onsen or, alternatively, also include time in a second ski resort. Does Nozawa Onsen or Myoko Kogen appeal?
Visiting Tokyo and Kyoto ticks off the main sightseeing spots. However, for a deeper delve in to Japan, then perhaps you could also include (or replace) these with Takayama, Kanazawa or somewhere else a little more off-the-beaten-track. And for a stay in a rural and remote ryokan, then we have many options up our sleeve other than the (touristy) Hakone region.
Don't have the full two weeks, then straight to Zao Onsen for four or five days skiing and then back to Tokyo for a couple of nights. Boom. Done. A great one-week / 10 day ski holiday, ticking all the boxes.
How much would this holiday cost?
Obviously, cost depends on which accommodation you choose, how many excursions and activities you want to book, whether you wish to include ski hire and local backcountry guides, etc.
An indicative lead-in price for this two-week itinerary would be circa £2,400 to £2,800 per person, including on moderate accommodation (mid / low season), transfers, lift passes in Zao Onsen, Japan rail pass, and economy class flights from the U.K.
If you were to move the dates to January (but still avoiding Christmas & New Year / Chinese New Year), this would then rise by approximately a couple of hundred pounds per person. And, of course, if you wanting the finest, most luxurious accommodation then....the sky's the limit really. Zao Onsen and the Hakone region have some very fine (and expensive) ryokans and Tokyo and Kyoto...well, you know!
Solo travellers should also be aware that costs increase, as you carry the burden of the accommodation cost alone.
We don't have to include international flights. However, by keeping it all within one package, your arrangements would then be protected under our ATOL licence.
Different Snow strive to offer the most competitive prices in all instances. However, we pride ourselves first and foremost on quality - we are an independent specialist tour operator and, therefore, are not beholden to any supplier. We make our decisions based only on who's best in each and every instance.