HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR PACKAGE
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THREE PREMIUM SKIRESORTS
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ONSEN EXPERIENCES
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TOUR LEADER FLUENT IN ENGLISH AND JAPANESE
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PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION
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JAPANESE REGIONAL CUISINE
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BEAUTIFULLY GROOMED SKI RUNS
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LEGENDARY JAPANESE POWDER SNOW
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HIGH-QUALITY RENTAL GEAR AVAILABLE
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COMFORTABLE MULTI-NIGHT STAYS
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HISTORIC GINZAN ONSEN
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EXPERIENCE THE FUN OF NIGHT SKIING
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BREATHTAKING VIEWS OF LAKE TAZAWA
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Experience three of Tohoku’s finest ski resorts, each offering its own unique atmosphere, terrain, and snow conditions. From wide groomed runs to deep powder and tree skiing, every day brings a new adventure.
Unwind in traditional Japanese hot springs after a full day on the slopes. Enjoy the relaxing culture of onsen while surrounded by snowy winter scenery.
Travel comfortably with an experienced tour leader fluent in both English and Japanese. From logistics to local culture, support is available throughout the journey.
Enjoy stress-free travel with comfortable private transportation between destinations. No crowded trains or complicated transfers — just relax and enjoy the scenery.
Taste regional dishes unique to the Tohoku region. Fresh local ingredients and traditional flavors are part of the experience every day.
Japan is not only famous for powder snow, but also for perfectly groomed pistes. Enjoy smooth carving runs with breathtaking mountain scenery.
Experience the light, dry powder snow that has made Japan world famous among skiers and snowboarders. Deep snowfall and consistent conditions create unforgettable riding experiences.
Travel light with access to modern, high-quality rental equipment. A wide range of skis, snowboards, and winter gear is available at the resorts.
Relax in comfortable accommodations with multi-night stays at each destination. No constant packing and moving — enjoy a slower, more relaxing travel pace.
Visit the charming hot spring town of Ginzan Onsen, famous for its nostalgic atmosphere and historic buildings. Snow-covered streets and glowing lanterns create a magical winter setting.
Enjoy the unique atmosphere of skiing under the lights at night. Quiet slopes, illuminated snow, and crisp winter air make for a memorable experience.
Discover the spectacular scenery surrounding Lake Tazawa, Japan’s deepest lake. Beautiful mountain landscapes and the iconic lakeside torii gate make this a highlight of the tour.
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PRICE
458,000 JPY (Fixed)
We only take payments in Canadian dollars (CAD).
Please note that values shown in converter are indicative only.
*The online exchange rates provided by this Currency Converter are intended as a guideline only and should not be used for transactional purposes. All rates are subject to change without notice.
Exchange rates used by Yamnuska Mountain Tours and Yamnuska Mountain Adventures on invoices will include an exchange fee of 2.0 YEN per Canadian dollar.
For Example :
Currency exchange rate (mid-market rate) at the time of balance payment with an exchange fee applied to invoice.
1 CAD = 115.46 JPY - 2.0 JPY (an exchange fee) .
Convert Date 2026.May.16
Your balancer payment
￥458,000 ÷ 113.46 JPY = $4,036.66 CAD
Single Supplement Charge $650
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DATE
9 DAY
TOURJanuary 21 to 29, 2027
Tour date for 2028 will be announced in December, 2026.
The trip starts in Yamagata and finishes in Appi Kogen. The area is served by Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT), Tokyo International Airport(HND).
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INCLUSIONS
- Full-time services of your Yamnuska tour leader.
- 8 nights’ accommodation (single supplement applies).
- 8 breakfasts, 8 evening meals. (indicated by a ✔on the itinerary)
- All transportation (Taxi, Bus) as stated in the itinerary between destinations in Japan, except for transportation during a complimentary tour on Day 1.
- A private transportation on Day 2, 5 and 6.
- On long-distance travel days, a mini-bus will be arranged for the group, offering extra space and ensuring a comfortable road trip.
- Hot spring (onsen) entry fees.
- Ski Day passes on Day 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8.
- Night skiing may be available at Zao and Appi depending on resort operations and weather conditions, and is included at no additional cost with the multi-day lift passes provided.
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NOT INCLUDED
- Airport arrival & departure assistance.
- Airport transfers.
- Flights to and from Japan.
- Transportation to Yamagata and from Appi Kogen.
- Trail snacks. (e.g. cliff bars, granola bars, trail mix,protein bars etc.)
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Certain meals indicated on Itinerary by NA (easy options always available).
- Optional Tours.
- Travel Medical Insurance (Required).
- Ski and snowboard rentals are not included in the tour; however, they are available at each ski resort.
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Single Supplement Charge
If you would prefer a single room when available or you are a single traveller, you will be charged an extra single supplementary fee for certain nights. If you are a single traveller and are willing to share with another traveller of the same gender let us know and we will try to pair you up if possible.
In the event that a single room cannot be provided, Yamnuska Mountain Tours will refund the portion of the Single Supplement Fee relevant to that/those nights.
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Non-Smoking Policy
Yamnuska Mountain Tours will try to fulfill requests for non-smoking rooms. However Yamnuska Mountain Tours cannot guarantee the availability of non-smoking rooms because some hotels and Japanese inns (Ryokan) do not have non-smoking rooms or such rooms are in very limited supply.
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Ski Difficulty
There are no specific skill level requirements for this tour. Each of the three ski resorts offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain, allowing skiers of various abilities to enjoy the experience. However, skiers who are comfortable carving on intermediate to advanced runs (blue and black slopes) will be able to fully explore and enjoy everything the resorts have to offer.
If heavy snowfall arrives overnight, the mountains may be covered in legendary Japanese powder snow, creating unforgettable powder skiing conditions. But even if you have little or no powder skiing experience, there is no need to worry. Many of the resort trails are beautifully groomed, allowing you to enjoy exceptional carving and cruising on perfectly maintained snow surfaces shaped by fresh snowfall.
Guides and Group Size
Yamnuska tour leaders are professional guides certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG), they are fluent in both English and Japanese. They have extensive experience in both Japan and in the Canadian Rockies. They have advanced wilderness first aid training and heritage interpretation accreditation. They carry emergency equipment including a group first aid kit and communication tools. A minimum group size is 8 guests.
Meeting Place and Time
You will meet your Yamnuska tour leader at our hotel in Yamagata City. There will be a tour briefing at 5:00pm.
Getting to Yamagata city and Transportation
Upon booking you will receive a welcome tour letter by email. Once the tour’s confirmed, we will send you more detailed instructions on how to get to our hotel from Narita Airport and JR Yamagata Station. If landing at another airport or arriving in Yamagata Station by rail or other means send us your travel details so we can send you customized instructions.
Waiver
There is a degree of hazard in all mountain activities. All participants must sign the Yamnuska waiver of liability prior to commencing any Yamnuska Mountain Tours / Yamnuska Mountain Adventures program.
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Travel Medical Insurance
You are required to purchase travel medical insurance to participate our Japan programs.
Travel medical insurance covers and protects you against unforeseen events during the tour in Japan. We appreciate not everyone wants the added cost of insurance, but in our experience unplanned events happen regularly. Your tour leader will do their best to assist guests when unplanned events happen, but there are easily obtained policies that can protect your financial investment.
We are hiking through a rural, remote area in Japan. It is your responsibility to have appropriate travel medical insurance during your trip in Japan.
We strongly recommend that you check your insurance if it covers emergency medical - related assistance services such as, -locating local medical providers, -arranging transportation and translation services, -coordinating evacuations including ambulance and emergency air transportation, -arranging accommodations and meals for extension of your stay.
Because you are traveling in Japan and it can be difficult to find a medical facility that provides assistance services in your first language. When you don’t understand what the doctors and nurses are telling you about your conditions, translation service will be of great help to you.
If you have travel insurance with your credit card, please make sure you check on the coverage and if you think it does not cover for the type of your travel to Japan, you may want to reconsider.
We also strongly recommend you find a trip cancellation or interruption provider as we will not be in a position to credit or refund your fees.
Booking & Cancellation Policy
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A $200 CAD non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required at time of booking. Final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the tour and that amount in Canadian dollars will be calculated using the current official Yen exchange rate. The Canadian Dollar price is subject to change without notice due to fluctuations in the exchange rate for the Japanese Yen.
Cancellation less than eight weeks before the program start and during the program results in loss of entire amount paid. The entire amount you paid is non-refundable and non-transferable.
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What to Bring
You will need to bring your own daypack and personal winter clothing (guides carry first aid and emergency gear). Cotton clothing is NOT recommended as a base or insulating layer, as it can cause rapid heat loss when wet. Weather conditions in the mountains can vary greatly, from sunny and mild to cold, windy, snowy, and stormy, so it is important to be prepared for changing conditions. We highly recommend wearing proper waterproof ski or snowboard outerwear, warm gloves or mittens, goggles, and layered clothing suitable for winter mountain environments. Winter boots or comfortable footwear with good traction are also recommended for walking around ski villages and parking areas, which can often be icy or slippery.
Weather & Gear
Winter temperatures across the three Tohoku ski resorts typically range from around -5°C to -15°C (23°F to 5°F). While this may feel relatively mild for some Canadian guests, Japan’s winter climate can feel significantly colder due to humidity and wind conditions. We strongly recommend bringing proper winter gear and dressing in layers to stay comfortable on the mountain.
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Ski & Snowboard Rentals
Ski and snowboard rental equipment is available at all resorts with advance reservation for an additional fee. Rental packages generally include skis, poles, and boots, with prices typically ranging from approximately $50–$80 CAD per day (subject to change).
Ski Shipping Service in Japan
For guests bringing their own skis or snowboard equipment, we strongly recommend using Japan’s luggage delivery service from Narita Airport directly to your hotel in Zao. If arranged before 6:00 PM, equipment will usually arrive at the resort by the following day. Pricing generally ranges from approximately $70–$100 CAD depending on the size of the luggage.
While it is possible to travel with ski equipment on trains and shinkansen, it can make transportation significantly more difficult and less flexible throughout the trip.
At the end of the tour, equipment can also be shipped from the hotel back to the airport. Please note that airport delivery in Japan typically requires shipment at least two days prior to your flight departure. Guests checking out one day before their flight may not have enough time for this service.
Please see links below for more details
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