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Don’t miss out on JAPOW this winter! Blend five days of social skiing with five days of expert guiding as you explore three incredible Japanese resorts, all while immersing yourself in the country’s rich culture.
What's Included
What’s included
- All ground transfers including bullet train
- 5 days with mountain guides
- 13 nights – a mix of bed & breakfast and half board
What’s not included
- Flights
- Lunches & evening meals
- Ski Passes
- Ski/boot hire
On Snow Experience
This holiday is a fantastic opportunity to explore all that Japanese backcountry skiing has to offer. Staying on the main Japanese Island of Honshu, you’ll be skiing in the northern Nagano prefecture. By basing this trip in multiple different destinations and potentially skiing a different ski area every day (conditions permitting), you will get a full variety of the Japanese skiing experience – world class powder and tree skiing mixed with a wonderful cultural experience. This trip focuses on powder and tree skiing, combined with some touring, and so requires a good level of fitness. This trip is aimed at Advanced (Purple) and Expert (Gold) off piste skiers. If you are unsure of your standard please see our Ski Profile Page.
To see the holiday breakdown, please view the full itinerary guide here (you will receive a more detailed itinerary slightly closer the departure date):
Find out more about this trip ...
Past Season Highlights
Some shots captured from previous winters on this holiday by reps & members showcasing the adventure, good times, and unforgettable memories shared.
Guides and Ski Club Rep
Alan Lyons
Alan loves most sporting activities but currently actively participates in running, cycling, sailing, flow boarding (coming 4th in the Masters category at the European Championships), indoor skydiving and, of course, snowsports. He enjoys both Alpine and Telemark skiing as well as snowboarding including participating in ski racing, snowboard freestyle and ski touring. However he especially looks forward to skiing alongside SCGB members due to the shared passion and common determination to have a great time!
HOLIDAY FAQ
Single rooms availability will be shown in the “View Dates & Prices” tab on each holiday page, located under the holiday name. If single rooms are available, this will be clearly stated there. If no single room option is listed, unfortunately this means they have already sold out.
*Sometimes we can request more single rooms from the hotel, please contact for more information.*
Freshtracks holidays are group ski trips organised by the Ski Club of Great Britain for solo travellers, couples, and friends who want to ski with like-minded people. We offer social skiing, instructional, off piste, and touring holidays. On all holidays, a dedicated Freshtracks Rep will be on hand to make sure the holiday runs smoothly.
Find out more here – Holidays – Ski Club Of Great Britain
This information is usually sent out one week before departure. It will include your final itinerary, Freshtracks Rep contact details, and any important information relating to your transfers, flights, and accommodation, depending on what is included in your specific package.
Freshtracks holidays use a ski profiling system to ensure you’re skiing alongside members of a similar ability, creating well-matched groups and a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
We recommend reviewing the Ski Profile page below and selecting the profile you feel best represents your current skiing. The profiles are there to help us place you on the right holiday for you, so please choose honestly to ensure you get the most out of your time on the slopes.
If you’ve been on one Freshtracks holiday, your Rep will give you an official grading at the end of the week. This will be recorded on our system and available to view in your Ski Locker.
No, Freshtracks holidays cater to a wide range of skiing abilities, from early intermediates to advanced skiers. Each trip includes detailed information about the recommended ski level so you can choose the right holiday for your ability.
Absolutely. The majority of Freshtracks guests travel solo – in fact, 85% of our guests last winter were solo travellers. Our holidays are specifically designed to be a way to meet other passionate skiers and feel part of the group from the start.
Group dining, organised skiing and fun social activities all help to create a friendly, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making Freshtracks an ideal choice for anybody travelling alone.
Ski rental is not included on Freshtracks holidays and is arranged separately. That said, Ski Club of Great Britain members enjoy access to a number of ski hire discounts, which can be found on our Discounts page.
Ski Club of GB Rental Discounts
Please note that inclusions differ by holiday, so it’s important to check the Essential Info tab beneath the holiday title, as well as the What’s Included and What’s Not Included sections at the top of the holiday overview page.
For Freshtracks Holidays that include group flights, it is not possible to check in online beforehand. You simply just turn up to a manned check in desk with your passport on the day, and you will be checked in there. They will issue you with a physical ticket.
Make sure you read full details of travel information in the travel tab, and once you have booked, keep an eye out for your final information document. This will provide further information on baggage allowance.
This varies depending on the airline, so please refer to the baggage information provided in the travel tab of your holiday page.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the Freshtracks team on +44 (0)20 8410 2022 or email us on .
Kind Regards,
We are ATOL and ABTOT protected so you can book with confidence knowing your money is secure.
Our holidays are a great way to meet and ski with other members of a similar ability to you.
Have questions? Call now and talk to our friendly team of holiday experts on 020 8410 2022.
Ready to Book?
Prices include
13 nights B&B, traditional hotels, twin share rooms, transport during trip, bullet train, 5 days with mountain guides & 5 days social skiing
Prior to booking, please ensure you have the correct ski profile for the holiday. See our profiles here.
We are busy putting together our incredible range of Freshtracks holidays for the 2025/26 season, ready to go on sale in mid-July 2025. Please check back them, and don't forget to request your 2025/26 Freshtracks brochure!
Book with confidence - the Ski Club is ABTOT and ATOL protected
Hakuba TokyuHotel
Shiga Koken Prince Hotel East Wing
Hotel Taizan, Myoko
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda
You’ll be spending 13 nights in various Hotels within the Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Myoko areas. All accommodation are on twin share basis. Please see the full breakdown of accommodation below:
- 4 nights B&B in the Hakuba Tokyu Hotel – Hakuba Tokyu Hotel
- 3 nights Half Board in the Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel East Wing – Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel
- 5 nights B&B in the Hotel Taizan, Myoko – Hotel Taizan, Myoko
- 1 night at the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda – Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda
For more information regarding the holiday itinerary, please click here.
Ready to book?
Travel Information
There are no flights included in the package, but a bullet train ticket will be provided to Tokyo. Please see the recommended British Airways flights below:
30th January 2027 London Heathrow LHR to Tokyo Haneda HND Departing 1145 – Arriving 31st January 1025 // BA5
13th February 2027 Tokyo Haneda HND to London Heathrow LHR 1315 – 1910 BA6
For the outbound transfer, the coach will depart at 1130, so please ensure your flight arrives no later than 1030.
For the return, you will be staying at Tokyo Haneda the night before, and will make your own way to the terminal on 13th Feb, so you are free to book any flight out of Tokyo Haneda.
If you require further information, please feel free to contact the Freshtracks team on 020 8410 2022, or simply email us on .
Confirmation
If you book this holiday, you will be contacted via email once it is confirmed to run.
Once the holiday has been confirmed, please send your flight details (flight numbers, arrival and departure time) to the Freshtracks Team via email to hols@skiclub.co.uk.
Ready to book?
What You Need to Know
Although hiring locally is possible, we strongly recommend that you bring your own kit with you on this trip, as we will be visiting multiple resorts and moving around throughout the trip. We recommend bringing touring equipment for this holiday.
30th Jan – 13th Feb 2027 : Alan Lyons
Hakuba : Evergreen Backcountry Guides
Shiga Kogen & Myoko : Canyons Guides
It is a condition of booking that you have valid and adequate snowsports insurance. It is your responsibility to ensure your policy provides cover for all the activities that you participate in during your holiday.
We offer a Ski Club Insurance policy which provides the cover we require for all bookings. This policy can be found here: Ski Club Travel Insurance – Ski Club Of Great Britain
If you decide to purchase insurance elsewhere, it is your responsibility to ensure that your policy provides cover as that of the Ski Club Insurance policy. The policy of insurance should provide cover for personal injury, death, medical and repatriation costs in the countries which you intend to visit, together with cover for loss of baggage and valuables, personal liability, delay, cancellation, curtailment, missed departure and legal expenses. The policy should also include cover against losses caused by the effects or consequences of Covid-19.
Due to the type of holidays that you will be booking with us, we also advise that your policy should include skiing off-piste without a guide. Please note, insurance premiums must be paid at the same time as booking in order for the package holiday or single service cancellation cover to be effective. It is also advised to keep your insurance details with you while you are on your holiday. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.
Passport – Check your passport is in date and valid for travel by checking the entry requirements for your destination country – you can see these here: Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Japan – The visa waiver system was reactivated from 11 October, which means that short-term visitors with British citizen passports no longer need to obtain a visa prior to travelling. This includes those coming for business, tourism, and to visit family and friends. Visas are still required for long-term stays and other purposes; please consult your nearest Japanese Consulate for guidance and how to apply.
When venturing off piste, it is compulsory to wear an avalanche transceiver. These can be provided by the Ski Club and should be worn by every person on every all mountain, off piste and touring holiday. Anyone joining these holidays will also be required to bring their own backpack, shovel and probe.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Any Member wishing to ski/snowboard with a Ski Club Group, in any of the resorts where the Ski Club is represented, agrees to do so under the following conditions:
- You appreciate that the Ski Club Rep is a volunteer with no formal qualifications as an instructor or mountain guide.
- You also appreciate that no other member of the group undertakes any obligations to you concerning your safety for which you remain solely responsible.
- You must ensure that your equipment is in good working order before setting off for the day and that you are suitably clothed for the proposed itinerary and all possible weather conditions.
- You must decide whether or not a particular run or route is within your competence.
- You must ensure that you are properly equipped for that day. If you are skiing off piste you must have a shovel, probe and transceiver, and know how to use them. If you are using a Ski Club transceiver, it is your sole responsibility to know how to use it.
- It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you are suitably insured for the activities intended to be undertaken.
Ready to book?
Japan Powder Adventure
This itinerary is intended as a guide to give an overview of the trip, and some fine details may be adjusted slightly. This trips skiing is structured with five days of social skiing and five days of guided skiing , with your exact breakdown confirmed closer to the time by your Ski Club Rep.
30th January 2027
Depart the UK and travel to Tokyo Haneda Airport. For all our travel information advice please go to the travel tab on this page.
31st January 2027
Arrive into Haneda Airport Terminal 3 ; your rep will meet you and take you to your private coach. Departing at 11:30 with a lunch stop en route, you’ll arrive at the premier chalet-style Hakuba Tokyu Hotel, nestled in the serene Wadano Forest at around 18:00 where you will spend four nights on B&B basis.
31st January – 4th February 2027 – Hakuba
Spending just under four days on snow in Hakuba, your guide and rep will take you to whichever resort conditions are best – with Hakuba Happo-One and Hakuba Cortina among the closest and most popular in the valley.
4th – 7th February 2027 – Shiga Kogen
After checking out of the Hakuba Tokyu Hotel on 4th February, you’ll have one last morning on the slopes before your transfer departs at around 16:00. Arriving at the Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel East Wing at approximately 18:30, dinner will be served at the hotel that evening. The Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel is a premier, ski-in/ski-out alpine hotel located at the base of the Mt. Yakebitaiyama Ski Area in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture.
Over just under three days on snow in Shiga Kogen on a half-board basis, your guide and rep will ensure you make the most of the vast terrain on offer. After a final morning on the slopes, your transfer departs at around 17:00 for Myoko – the last stop on your Japan adventure.
7th – 12th February 2027 – Myoko
Arriving into Myoko for the final stop on your Japan adventure, you’ll spend five nights at the Hotel Taizan on a bed and breakfast basis. With four days on the mountain ahead, Myoko saves perhaps the best until last – famous for its extraordinary snowfall of over 13 metres each winter, deep powder and traditional hot spring Onsens that provide the perfect end to a day on the slopes.
12th February 2027 – Bullet Train: Nagano – Tokyo
After an incredible adventure across 3 different areas it is now time to head back to Tokyo. For this journey your baggage will be transported in a van direct to your airport hotel, while you travel on the Bullet train from Nagano Railway Station to Tokyo station and you will depart the hotel at approximately 0900.
You are free to explore Tokyo in the afternoon, before making your own way to the Hotel Villa Fontaine Haneda Grand a short walk away from the airport. Please note breakfast and dinner are not included at this hotel.
13th February 2027
After an incredible powder adventure with the Ski Club of Great Britain, it’s time to check out of the Hotel Villa Fontaine Haneda Grand and make your own way to the airport for your flight home.
One of Japan's largest resorts, Hakuba is most renowned for its premium powder and exceptional vertical.
Hakuba is home to three fantastic main ski areas. Happo-One is the largest of these, covering 52km of pistes, including the 1998 Olympic ski racing pistes. Hakuba 47/Goryu is around half the size but a fun ski area and Iwatake has access to 50km of further slopes, but a much smaller vertical. Traditional guesthouses are the order of the day in terms of accommodation and as you might expect, the food is fantastic and there are numerous hot spring onsens to unwind in at the end of the ski day.
Beginner- Fast lifts
- Intermediate
- Resort Activities
- Advanced
- Aprés
- Snow
- Value
Beginner
Fast lifts
Advanced
SnowPros and cons
- Fantastic variety in the valley with 10 ski areas
- Great snow record and access to some of Japan’s best powder
- Authentic Japanese experience and great food
- Language barrier can be an issue
- Driving between ski areas is required and this can be tricky in snow
- Off piste skiing is very heavily regulated, hire a guide for the best access
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