School Ski Trips to Hakuba Valley, Japan

Our school ski trips to Japan operate out of the Hakuba Valley, one of the most popular ski resorts in the country and host to thousands of foreign tourists annually.

There’s a good reason why Japan should top your skiing bucket list next year. Boasting over 600 resorts throughout its rugged landscape – 70% of Japan is mountainous – winds from Siberia blow south-westerly dropping a generous amount of fluffy powder during the winter months. Compact resorts, with operating efficiency that typifies Japanese industry, boast mountains up to 3000m with a family focus on the landscaping of the surrounding towns.

The Hakuba Valley’s proximity to Tokyo by bullet train makes this a perfect destination for a ski and city break for school groups seeking somewhere exciting that also boasts incredible value for money.

Whilst the Mountain Pass covers 11 resorts in the Valley, our hotels are located in and around Hakuba Village which features 5 doorstop ski resorts including Hakuba Happo-one, Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba 47, Iwatake and Hakuba Sanosaka. The 5 resorts’ lifts are connected via a free shuttle bus offering the unique opportunity to ski in different resorts for each day of stay.

It’s a mystery to us why Japan is often overlooked by schools researching ski trips. With pricing comparable with the West Coast of the US, Japan offers a cultural enrichment afforded by no other country in the world. Incredible and consistent powder, minimal queues, high-quality resorts and spectacular city breaks in Tokyo makes this a perfect school ski trip destination between December and April.

Where to stay in Japan?

Hotel Panorama

Located in the Happo-one region of the Hakuba Valley, Hotel Panorama is located 5 minutes’ walk away from the main ski resort and offers views of the slopes from its ground floor restaurant.

Built to the highest standards of safety and decorated in both Japanese and Western styles, guests will love the bubbly bilingual staff trained to accommodate tourists from all over the globe. Menus are varied and tailored to your needs each evening with both a Japanese and Western style breakfast available for your school group.

With accommodation for 50 students, free WIFI, on-site Onsen (hot springs) and games room, the Hotel Panorama is the perfect hotel for your next school ski trip to Japan.

What to do in Japan?

There is plenty to do apres-ski to make your school ski trip to Japan a memorable and culturally vibrant occasion for your students.

Taiko drum lessons
Night skiing
Sushi-making
Snow Monkey excursion
Hot tub (Onsen) relaxation

Ski resort facts

No. of ski trails 200

Highest point (m) 3057

Beginner pistes (Blue) (%) 30

Intermediate pistes (Red) (%) 50

Expert pistes (Black) (%) 20

Lifts 109

Snow Cannons (%) N/A

Airports Tokyo (4 hrs)

When to visit?

For school ski trips, we recommend visiting Japan for your group trip between the months of January and March, making it the perfect location for February and Easter half terms.

Our Recommendations

When it comes to Japan it’s most certainly no stranger to most of us here at MSG Tours. Check out a range of our blogs below for our personal recommendations.

30 Hours in Tokyo on your School Ski Trip

The Explorer on her First Visit to Tokyo

Rydal Penrhos and The Lakes School await Japan Adventure

Find out where previous groups have travelled on their school ski trips:

St Martin’s School Ski Trip to Andalo, Italy
St John’s College: Ski Trip to Maine, USA

Get in touch with us to chat about how Japan would make the perfect destination for your next school ski trip.