Skiing in Japan 2009

Join one of our very popular escorted group ski tours to Japan. 
Choose one of these 1 week ski Japan tours

(You can combine these two one week tours to make your own 2 week ski Japan tour.  Contact Estours for availability and pricing)
Why ski with a group in Japan?

To book your Japan ski holiday, either

 Ski Rusutsu  for less crowds, ski in/out convenience, top quality resort accommodation, cruisy pistes, magnificent powder and exciting tree skiing.

*Hakuba Package Inclusion

Hakuba is located near Nagano, (site of the 1998 winter Olympics), west of Tokyo on Japan's main island of Honshu. 

Of the 10 resorts in the valley, 7 ski resorts are centred around the massive Olympic ski jump stadium. The main three ski area are Happo One, Goryu and 47 and Hakuba boasts some of the highest snowfalls in Japan with exceptional quality powder. (see map)

This consistent powder snow on the many challenging runs at Hakuba makes this region a must-do for anybody wishing to ski in Japan.

The different ski areas are interconnected with an efficient local shuttle bus service.

Resort Data
 The  Hakuba ski season starts early December and lasts until early May.  The average snowfall 12 m per season.  The max Elevation is 1,831 m at Happo One also boasting the max vertical rise of 1,071 m.  The longest run is 8 klms, also at Happo One.  The terrain is graded beginner 30%,  intermediate 45% and advance 25%.  whilst the number of groomed runs is 77 in the main area, the valley has a total of 200 different trails.  The steepest slope here has a max gradient of 35°

Hakuba Accommodation

Located just a short 3 min. walk to Happo One ski area there is also a free shuttle bus to take you to the ski fields, JR station, and bus stops.
To make your stay more convenient, the hotel boasts resident English-speaking staff. The hotel has an A la Carte restaurant - Indoor hot springs with good views, a Bar & lounge area with good mountain views.
Quality ski and snowboard rentals are also available here.

# With Qantas reducing its flight services to Japan, these airline seats are subject to availability.  Book early to reserve your flight.  Should a seat not be available, then another carrier may be used and a different tour price will be applicable.

Combine the Hakuba and Rusutsu ski weeks for a two week ski holiday in Japan.  Japan boasts over 600 ski resorts with an enormous potential for different skiing experiences.  Whilst over in Japan, extend you stay and really see what a skiing Mecca this place is.

Contact  Estours for availability and pricing.

Download the booking form ; (Adobe Acrobat .pdf file 40 Kb) 
or
Book online
or
Contact Estours Travel

Download brochure  - .Adobe Acrobat  5 or higher - 650 kb)

To download the booking form or brochure, you will need Adobe Acrobat to be installed on your computer. If you do not already have it, click on the Adobe button to download it.

 What we did in Japan in 2008

*Rusutsu Package Inclusions

Rusutsu is situated 79km west of Sapporo close to the extinct volcano Mt Yotei.

- The resort itself consists of every possible facility to keep just about everyone entertained.

- The lift network is spread over 3 peaks offering a wide variety of terrain catering to all levels of skiers and snowboarders (see map)

- The peak of Mt Izola offers the most challenging runs combined with panoramic scenery.

- Rusutsu offers some of the best tree skiing in Japan and its extensive terrain park is one of the country’s best. 

- For après-ski options Rusutsu Resort has a huge range entertainment, including restaurants, indoor wave pool, a large bath house and, of course, karaoke rooms!
Rusutsu Terrain Map

Resort Data
Average annual snowfall in Rusutsu is 18 m with winter temperatures ranging from 2 to -10^oC.  The max elevation is 994 m and the longest runs is 3.5 klms.  There are 37 separate groomed runs untold ungroomed skiing areas served by 17 lifts. The terrain is graded 27% for beginners, 43% for intermediate skiers and 30% for advanced, with the steepest slope at 40^o.

Rusutsu Accommodation

The Rusutsu Resort Hotel is a fully serviced resort, restaurants, shopping malls, entertainment complexes, swimming and wave pool, spas, bars and a merry-go-round are all within the resort.

Option 1 - Extend your stay and take in the Sapporo Ice Festival - the greatest winter event known to the world, with over 300 snow and ice statues built in the Odori Park and Susukino areas, with some of these elaborate statues, standing up to 15 meters tall - Festival commences on 5 Feb '09
Option 2 - Pre purchase a dinner plan

*Tour Cost

Tour cost based on per person rates on a twin share arrangement.

Single supplement or triple share available- enquire about pricing.

Holiday package cost based on minimum group numbers and airfares and tariffs as at May 2008 and does not include taxes. 
Currency Surcharge - with the recent fall in the Australian Dollar against all world currencies, a currency surcharge may be applicable - if you have already paid your ski tour cost in full, no surcharge will be applied - Contact Estours for full details and updated costs.
 - Price is subject to change until final payment is received.
 - Airport taxes and fuel levies are presently about $350 pp and are subject to change until full payment is received.

If you wish to travel on dates other than our group tours, or prefer an individual itinerary, contact Estours Travel to make these arrangements.