japan ski tours 2023

Ski Japan with Japan Holidays

With mountains of endless powder snow to discover and over 600 resorts to choose from, japan is the perfect destination to discover incredible skiing.

Whether it’s in Hokkaido, Nagano, Niigata or Tohoku, Japan has slopes for all skill levels and resorts that provide the perfect base to recharge.

Japan is only 10 hours north of Australia and 2 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time, meaning you can find yourself on the slopes in no time, whether cruising the slopes with family members, or off-piste on some of the best back-country skiing in the world.

Hokkaido is the powder capital of Japan, the country’s northernmost island and the home to some of its best snow. The region plays host to over 1200 festivals and events including February’s Sapporo Snow Festival, where hundreds of snow and ice sculptures of a grand scale line the streets.

Niseko Ski Resort

Niseko’s four main resorts, Niseko Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village,and Annupuri meet at 1300metres above sea level on the beautiful Mount Niseko Annupuri.

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Furano Ski Resort

Amazing scenery, light snow perfectly suited for skiing, great weather condition. It’s all there in Furano.

Rusutsu Ski Resort

Situated 79km west of Sapporo, Rusutsu offers a full scale resort experience set amidst some of the most spectacular scenery located in this region of Japan.

Kiroro Ski Resort

Nestling among the mountains in the delightful village of Akaigawa in Hokkaido, the Kiroro Resort is less than a 90-minute drive from New Chitose International Airport and an hour from Sapporo.

Heading south from the island of Hokkaido, the Tohoku region offers real country town atmospheres and hidden ski fields that only the locals frequent to.

Alts & Nekoma Resort

World-class skiing in Tohoku with ease of access from Tokyo and Niigata.

Shizukuishi (Iwate)

Hachimantai Resort

Hachimantai is close to the centre of North Tohoku in Iwate Prefecture. It takes about 40 minutes by Bus from north west of Morioka Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo.

Hakkoda Ski Resort

Hakkoda is a renowned backcountry powder ski and snowboard mecca, located in northern Japan, just south of Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture.

Zao Onsen Ski Resort

The town has hot springs bubbling everywhere, and the ski resort offers a unique experience of skiing amongst the famous Zao Snow Monsters – Juhyo.

Appi Ski Resort

On its large-scaled 282 hectare land, APPI Resort offers 21 different terrains for all levels of skiers.

Ski Nagano & Niigata

On the main island of Honshu and accessible from Tokyo in under two hours by bullet train, Nagano , and nearby Niigata is the home of the 1998 Winter Olympics, with some of the highest-snowfall areas in Japan.

Hakuba Ski Resort

Since hosting the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, the Hakuba Valley has been an increasingly popular travel destination for people from all over the world.

Madarao Kogen Ski Resort

Here you’ll find a variety of slopes (25 in all) to fit the needs of any skier or boarder.

Myoko Kogen Ski Resort

Myoko Kogen, the first international ski resort running from the 1930s, is located in Niigata prefecture.

Nozawa Ski Resort

Nozawa Onsen ski resort is located in the northern part of Nagano prefecture, Nozawa Onsen boasts a number of natural onsen (hot springs) and large ski areas.

Shiga Kogen Ski Resort

Shiga Kogen is a collection of 21 ski resorts strung out along the Shiga Plateau- making it one of Japan’s largest ski areas.

With easy access from Tokyo, Gunma Prefecture is located in the northwestern part of Kanto on the main island of Honshu.

The prefecture shares borders—and easy access—with Niigata to the north and Nagano to the west, opening up a range of ski and snowboard opportunities both inside and outside the prefecture.

Oze Iwakura

White World Oze-Iwakura is an excellent medium-size  ski resort still virtually unknown to western visitors.

Minakami Ski Resort

Minakami is a ski area only 70 minutes bullet train ride away from the Metropolitan area, located in Gunma prefecture.

Manza Onsen Ski Resort

Manza ski resort is known as ‘Powder Snow Manza’ which is the place to enjoy one of the finest powder snow in the country.

Ski elsewhere in Japan

Naeba ski resort.

Naeba is a glitzy purpose-built ski resort with all the bells and whistles.

Ski Jam Katsuyama (Fukui)

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Best Japan ski deals for the 2022/23 season (updated December 2022)

"Staggeringly good" ski deals for Japan's 22/23 season, thanks to weakened yen and red hot early bird specials.

The combination of red hot specials and a severely weakened yen has created some staggeringly good deals for the 2022/23 Japan ski season, and we’ve worked hard to identify the best of them below.

Of course, the early bird deals won’t last, nor are there any guarantees on the value of the yen. Which means now might just be the best time to book your next Japan ski trip.

That said, we’ll do our best to keep this list relevant, which means we’ll be updating it as new deals come to light and removing the ones that expire.

7 nights for the price of 6 at the brand new Myoko Apartments

Resort: Myoko

Here’s a cracking deal for those who have left their holiday planning to the last minute. Newly-built Myoko Apartments , run by the lovely husband/wife team behind the popular Myoko House , is offering seven nights for the price of six in their stylish 3-bedroom apartment.

A 7-night stay in January or February will set you back ¥60,000/night (~$US433) or just ¥7,000/night (~$US54) when split between eight people. For those of you keen to see Myoko in spring, it gets even better, with March stays on offer at just ¥54,000/night (~$US390) or just ¥6,750/night (~$US49) per person.

Myoko Apartments. Book now

The fully self-contained 3-bedroom apartment is suitable for up to eight people (1 x queen, 6 x single beds, 4 of which are bunks), and a stay at the property also includes exclusive access to a large co-working space/movie room and a small gym. Guests score the whole place to themselves – perfect for larger groups or families seeking the flexibility to do their own thing.

For those who aren’t driving, the team offers a free pick-up/drop-off service to and from Myoko Kogen station at the start and end of the trip, as well as daily morning transfers to one of the four nearby Myoko resorts: Akakura Kanko (800 metres), Akakura Onsen (1.5km), Ikenotaira (2.3km) or Suginohara (5.8km).

Discounted bookings need to be made directly through the Myoko Apartments website; get in touch via the link below.

Note: for some insight into the team behind Myoko Apartments and their tips for a stay in Myoko, take a minute to read: “ How to spend a perfect day in Myoko with Myoko House founder Nathan Eden “.

22/23 Stay & Ski plan at Lotte Arai

Resort: Lotte Arai Book by: March 18

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Lotte Arai. The resort is a multi-category winner in our Ski Asia Awards, so it’s also a destination that’s popular with our readers. Last season it received an unimaginable 22 metres of snow , and it’s also home to some of the best freeride terrain in Japan – both in-bounds and beyond the gates.

Image: lottehotel.com/arai-resort

A stay in a Superior or Deluxe room will set you back ¥34,620/night (~US$251) and sleeps two people (~$US125/night per person). With access to the Hoshizora Onsen and and the inclusion of daily lift tickets (valued at 2 × ¥4,500 or ~US$65) there’s a lot of value in this package, especially when you consider the location of the property at the base of the resort, as well as the quality of the hotel and facilities, which were completely redeveloped in 2017.

30% off Club Med Kiroro (short time only)

Resort: Kiroro Book by: Soon

The first of two new Club Med properties in Kiroro is set to open in December, following the sale of the resort to Club Med owners late last year.

Club Med Kiroro Peak will offer visitors the brand’s quintessential all-inclusive experience, however it will be geared towards couples and older families, with a minimum guest age of 12. Club Med Kiroro Grand will open in 2023 for all ages.

Despite being a hot ticket item, rooms at Club Med Kiroro Peak are currently on sale (up to 30% off) , with prices for a 5-night stay starting at AU$2040 per person during April, or from AU$3020 during January. When you consider the inclusion of all meals, drinks, entertainment, lift tickets, ski rental and lessons (not to mention superb facilities ), it starts to look like a very attractive offer.

However, to lock in these prices you’ll need to be quick, with “discounts set to decrease as room and date quotas are filled” ( Karryon ).

Cancellation policy: See Club Med’s Peace of Mind policy .

Note: always check the terms of your booking with your accommodation provider to ensure you have the up-to-date and accurate information.

¥20,700/night for accommodation + 2 meals + lift pass at Palcall

Resort: Palcall Tsumagoi Book by: Season offer (limited availability)

Active Life Group is offering a season best rate of ¥20,700/person per night when you book directly through their website. Price includes accommodation, two meals and lift pass, making it an attractive offer for the resort that is hope to Japan’s largest terrain park.

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 7 days prior

Niseko Central's Early Bird offer combined with Stay and Save (save up to 50%)

5 nights at Alts Bandai for just US$496 (inc. lift pass and breakfast)

For anyone looking to get off the beaten path, this Aizu ski deal, courtesy of Japan Holidays, is an absolute gem. For five nights you’ll stay at Hoshino Resort Bandaisan Onsen Hotel with daily breakfast and a lift pass. With ski-in ski-out access, Alts Bandai is an obvious choice, however we’d also recommend a trip to the nearby Nekoma Snow Park & Resort, which is better known for its powder and tree skiing.

At AU$720 (~$US485) for the full 5-night stay it represents some serious value, especially with the inclusion of lift tickets and breakfast.

Aizu ski resorts are typically a lot less crowded than some of the better-known international favourites (i.e. Niseko and Hakuba), so this could be a great option if Japan’s tourism boom prediction comes to fruition.

Image: alts.co.jp

Cancellation policy: Unclear. Contact Japan Holidays .

10% off rentals with Rhythm Japan

Book by: Applies for any pre-booked item / No booking deadline

Planning to ski in Niseko, Hakuba or Furano and rent your gear? Rhythm Japan is offering 10% off ski and snowboard rentals at their stores in these three resorts. (bookings can be made online ).

Prices are dependent on the number of days you’re renting for (the longer, the cheaper) and with the discount, range from ¥4,500 (~US$34) per day for a standard set of boots, ski and poles to just ¥1,574/day (~US$13.80) if you’re renting for 30 days or more.

Rhythm Japan

Rhythm Japan is now also offering lessons and guiding out of its Niseko base, which also benefit from the 10% discount if you also book rental gear.

Cancellation policy: Subject to Rhythm Japan’s standard terms & conditions .

Epic Australia Pass for just $999

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Organise your guided backcountry skiing tour in japan.

There are lots of options in Hokkaido and Honshu that can be tailored to the kind of skiing you like and when you plan to come. Answer a few questions and we’ll get back to you with some recommendations.

Enquire Now

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October 3, 2022

Are any of these packages available in November 2022?

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Japan ski resorts

Japan has fast become one of the world’s top ski and snowboard destinations. Famous, for not only its super dry powder snow, but also it is classed as one of the top ski destinations for its consistent and reliable snowfalls combined with its unique culture and cuisine. In the 2017 International Traveller Magazine's Readers' Choice Awards, voters rated Japan as their #1 skiing destination.

DEEP POWDER Snow Holidays provide ski and snowboard holiday packages to the best of Japans ski resorts. Select your preferred resort and accommodation then contact us and we guarantee our prices are the best available.

Are you not sure when is the best time to travel? Our summary below may give you some guidance. Otherwise, our fully trained ski and snowboard travel professionals can help you decide where to go, where to stay and when to travel. All you need to do is pack your bag and look forward to a snow holiday of a lifetime.  

Japan has it all, extraordinary culture, authentic history, divine cuisine and some of the world’s best powder snow. A ski & snowboard trip to Japan is so much more than just that. It is a chance to immerse yourself in the calmness and romance of ancient times, temples, shrines, geishas and breathtaking scenery. At the very same time, you'll find advanced technology, a booming economy with stylish, confident and modern cities. The deep, deep powder snow found in Japan, is just a bonus!

Book your trip of a lifetime to Japan now. Our team of travel professionals know all the postcard-perfect places, they can recommend outstanding dining options and most importantly they know where you’ll find the very best powder snow.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO JAPAN?

Is it that deep, deep powder snow that you are searching for, or perhaps do you really prefer those beautiful blue bird days, or are you just after a bargain? Click on the link for a guide to help you decide which months will truly give you the best snow holiday imaginable. 

BEST TIME TO SKI AND SNOWBOARD IN JAPAN

BEST SKI RESORTS IN JAPAN FOR FAMILIES

There’s lots to consider when planning your next family snow holiday. How quick and easy will the travel be? Will we be affected by jet lag? Will we face language barriers? Will ski schools cater well for my kids? Will the ski terrain suit adults and children? Will we be affected by altitude sickness? Are there après ski activities for families? How cold is too cold?

FIND OUT THE BEST SKI RESORTS IN JAPAN FOR FAMILIES

JAPAN SKI RESORT LOCATIONS

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"I want to say a huge thanks for the professional service Deep Powder Snow Holidays did in organising our Niseko experience. We all had an unforgettable time riding amazing powder and everything went so smoothly - couldn't of asked for more!"  N Pelaez - 'Very Happy Customer' I had an absolutely wonderful & amazing trip. The snow was great, the accommodation terrific & arrangements ran like clockwork. Being our first visit to Japan we couldn’t have asked for better arrangements & conditions. Your documentation supplied with the itinerary was fantastic & detailed everything we needed know. Many thanks & we sure will be making another trip to Japan in the not too distant future. A Mead - 'Satisfied client'

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Early Bird Rates Apply

Early bird rates apply $ early bird rates apply $, experience the best of japan - the thrill of deep powder, the beauty of an unique culture, and the fun of a well oiled guided tour..

Enjoy some of the most incredible snow on planet earth, stay in a truly authentic Japanese ski village, visit mom and pop restaurants and mix with the locals, be entertained by Geisha, Taiko Drum, Shamisen Guitar, Lion Dance and Karate performances, visit the world famous Snow Monkeys, enjoy the hilarious magic show, walk through ancient castles, temples and shrines, visit historic Shibu Onsen Town and one of the worlds largest bronze Buddha statues and finish your day by relaxing in natural hot pool onsens or sampling the local beer and sake.

Much more than the usual ski holiday, our tours combine adventure, culture, quality Japanese run accommodation and local personalities to give you the complete Japanese experience.

And best of all you get to share this all with a group of like minded ski and snowboard enthusiasts and make new lifelong friends, all hosted by our instructor/guides who are just plain passionate about what they do for you, as our GUEST REVIEWS attest to.  And don’t forget our hidden gems that we leave as a surprise for you on your journey with us at Japan Powder Culture Tours.

Unique in the fact that we cater for beginners through to experts so that we can make sure that group flow on the snow is maintained which is critical to get maximum turns and to improve your skiing or riding. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, advanced or expert on the snow we have you covered this coming season with a range of tours that start from 3 to 10 nights, plus we can tailor make something to suit.

Let us not forget the three pillars of Japan Powder Cuture Tours. Safety first, fun second and improvement third which all our guide/instructors take very serious to insure you have memories that will last a lifetime.

So take the time to peruse our site check out the FAQ’s and CONTACT us with any questions you may have. Our tours start from the start of December until end of April each year so why not come join us in our little Japanese Utopia.

Early Bird Rate for 24/25 season available

Early bird rate for 24/25 season available $ early bird rate for 24/25 season available $.

Greg and Lyndell (Owners of www.powderhounds.com) – Australia – February 2024 – Nagano Ski Buffet

This is the 3rd time we’ve been on a JPCT trip and undoubtedly it won’t be the last. The Nagano ski buffet is aptly named because we definitely got our fill of powder and feasted on a range of Japanese food, along with a smorgasbord of other experiences. Whilst we do a lot of self-guiding around Japan, it was incredibly nice to have someone look after all the logistics and planning, and share powder stashes and other experiences so that we could get the most out of the area. GUIDING Jase and his team go above and beyond and they put 120% effort in. Even when we felt a little tired, it was easy to dig deep to try to match their fervour. Our trip was well into the season, yet they still had the energy to put lots of passion into enhancing the guest experience. We had Naru as a guide one day who is a local telemarker. He knew the ski areas incredibly well, and added some nice Japanese insights and tips along the way. Jase guided us the rest of the time and did a great job. His quirky sense of humour was on fire and it was appropriate that he always flipped from being Mr fun guy to being incredibly serious when guiding to ensure safety aspects were covered. The guides and instructors worked well together in harmony and kept their communication tight. They also communicated well with the group via face to face announcements and WhatsApp messaging. On one particular day, the strength of their guiding really came to the fore. It was a very stormy day and most lifts at Shiga were on wind hold. The guides started us in one zone where there were a couple of lifts running, then got us back in the bus to drive to somewhere further up the mountain where a couple of lifts had opened up, and later drove us back down. Lots of Shiga and Yudanaka folks didn’t even get out skiing that day due to the storm, yet we scored some phenomenal powder skiing thanks to the guides’ great familiarity with the ski areas, their ability to monitor lift operations and logistics, and having transport on hand. SKIING As you’d expect, we had a mix of snow experiences and it wasn’t all phenomenal deep powder and there was a little bit of scratching around on dust on crust as well. The stormy day was like heli skiing on-piste ( see insta video ) and the subsequent day was a powder buffet with fresh line after line. Hopefully the vimeo video sums up that we had a fab time!  GROUP Whilst there were lots of people on the bus to get to a ski area, it didn’t feel like a big group tour because not everyone was at the same hotel, and we divided up into small groups at the ski hill and for dinner. The guides often switched people between groups if they were finding tight trees too challenging or the like. This highlighted that having a decent sized group with critical mass was a good thing because it enabled the guides to easily match people’s ability levels, speed and objectives, which is something we haven’t seen on very small group tours. We met some really great people on the tour that were kindred spirits. YUDANAKA We enjoyed staying in Yudanaka because it’s a real town and not one of those destination resorts where it feels like you could be in North America or Australia and not Japan. It was nice to wander around Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen and explore its temples, eateries and other nooks. The guides provided restaurant recommendations, and on nights when there wasn’t an organised dinner, there was the option of a bus drop service off to various restaurants. Whilst the hotel wasn’t in the absolute thick of Yudanaka restaurants, it was a pretty easy walk home. HOTEL We stayed at Hotel Omodaka which was very nice. It’s largely not a fancy ryokan, but you don’t expect luxury considering the price of the tour, and it’s good that people can stay in a tatami room to get the full Japanese experience. That being said, we stayed in a deluxe upgraded western/Japanese combo room that had 2 incredibly comfortable large twin beds plus a really large tatami area for sitting. There was also a luxe bathroom with an oversized shower and a bath. The breakfast room was nice in that it had the Japanese aesthetics with tatami flooring and shoji screens, but it had high tables and chairs, so we didn’t need to get limbered up first thing in the morning to sit on the floor. Breakfast was adequate without being amazing. It was mostly Japanese type fare with miso soup, rice, frankfurters, omelette pieces, dim sims, pickles and a bit of salad. There were also rolls for toasting with jam to feel a fraction westernised, and of course the obligatory juice and coffee. Dinner at the hotel one night was a highlight and we got our full Japanese experience by wearing our yukata and jacket, and sitting on the tatami floor. The meal wasn’t a super extravagant kaiseki meal that you’d find in a high end ryokan, but it certainly was a lovely feast and included lots of food items and a great chance to sample lots of different Japanese fare. The onsen was also remarkable. The indoor onsen was good for a quick soak because it was mighty hot, whilst the outdoor onsen bath was the preferred option. One fine morning, the views from the onsen balcony were superb, looking across to Mt Myoko and other surrounding mountains. OTHER EXPERIENCES An evening was organised at Geisha Bar for karaoke, and it was plenty of fun even though none of us were particularly amazing at singing! Sushi train night in Nakano was another organised activity, and even though the processes have changed since Covid, it was still fun to order lots of different plates and get them delivered by train to the table. We also enjoyed some time in the historic town of Obuse and sampled sake, chestnut oyaki, and visited the Hokusai art museum and the Gansho-in temple with its Hokusai phoenix painting on the ceiling, which wasn’t quite in the same league as the Sistine Chapel but enjoyable nonetheless. Overall we had a great time, and would recommend this trip to anyone who wants a buffet of food, powder and an experience far away from the curated resorts. You’ll be a good fit for the trip if you don’t take life too seriously, have a good sense of humour, a sense of adventure, and don’t need to party hard. The vibe was to ski hard, enjoy an onsen, have dinner and retire for the evening. Perfect!

See Our video here

JAPAN 2019 FROM A GUEST PERSPECTIVE

Japan 2020 from a guest perspective, japan 2018 from a guest perspective, the legendary roadie teritory, edit from the team at powderhounds.com, old faithful pow day.

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Japan Ski and Culture Beginner Tour

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japan Pow mix

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DECEMBER LINES AT SHIGA KOGEN

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME

Welcome to Your Ultimate Japan Ski Adventure! 

The silky powder adventure tours  are unforgettable fully hosted & guided powder ski and snowboard trips in the snowiest place in the world: hokkaido, japan, a perfect combination of bottomless super-dry powder, incredible food and fascinating japanese culture enjoyed in a fun, safe & friendly environment, these epic adventures in snowy japow are perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders looking for an unforgettable deep powder experience., we take the stress out of organising your own japan snow holiday; simply book your flight to sapporo and we will take care of the rest.

Our fully hosted  Silky Powder Tours include accommodation, guided off-piste / sidecountry ski days in several resorts, lift tickets, all ground transportation including airport and resort transfers, onsen & cultural side trips and much more.  Our passionate team will look after you from start to finish to ensure you have the most incredible experience in the Japanese powder!

Our Services (All Tours)

Food & board.

Accommodation Daily Breakfast Welcome Dinner

Ski & Snowboard

Fully Guided Off-piste Backcountry Multi-resort Ski passes

Transport & Tours

Fully Hosted Airport Transfers Daily Ski Transfers Evening excursions

Choose from 8, 11 and 14 day tours

7 nights 6 ski days All services

10 nights 7 ski days All services

13 nights 10 ski days All services

Base yourself in Sapporo City and/or in our luxurious Ski Lodge The Skilas Kiroro

City Centre Hotel Dining / Nightlife

The Skilas Kiroro Groups / Mountain

Sapporo Hotel & The Skilas Kiroro

❆ Sapporo City : You will stay in a central Sapporo hotel in the heart of the city, perfect to explore this vibrant city’s food, culture and entertainment. Just stroll around the streets; there are so many things to see and do! Great for single travellers or for groups looking for an abundance of dining and entertainment options.

❆ The Skilas Kiroro Lodge : Ideally located near Kiroro Resort in a tranquil setting beside the Yoichi river, The luxurious Skilas Kiroro Ski Lodge features 4 spacious twin/double bedrooms each with en-suite private bathroom, a large communal area with underfloor heating, kitchen, living room and fireplace, as well as an entrance ski room complete with boot dryers.  This is a great option for individuals or groups who want the convenience of having a ski resort at their doorstep whilst enjoying a peaceful and sociable environment in the snowy mountains. Please visit The Skilas Kiroro page for more details.

❆ Dual-Base : Get the best of both by combining a lively stay in Sapporo City with the peace and quiet of The Skilas Kiroro . Available on most tours.

2024-2025 Tours on Pre-Sale now!

Register your interest for your Ultimate Japan Ski Experience by sending us an email: [email protected]

The Silky Powder Adventure

14 day tour

Your Ultimate Japan Ski Adventure!  A Hokkaido powder ski fest for those wishing to stay in powder heaven for a whole two weeks!

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The Silky Powder Safari

11 day tour

The Silky Powder Safari is an action-packed Hokkaido Ski Tour that takes you to Japan’s best powder skiing areas!

Book Your Silky Powder Safari!

The Silky Powder Week

You can’t take more than one week off work?  Don’t worry!  Check out our Silky Powder Week trips, a Sunday-Sunday powder frenzy which packs in as much skiing as possible!

Book Your Silky Powder Week!

Silky Powder Adventure Frequently Asked Questions

For details of our other tours (beginners, specials, custom-made requests) please check our Japan Ski Tours  page

Silky Powder Discovery (Beginners)    Custom-Made Tours    Sapporo Ski Days

Silky Powder Adventure Trip Overview

Day 1 : Upon arrival at New Chitose Airport (Sapporo’s International Airport) you will be driven to your hotel in the heart of Sapporo. You can then take a gentle stroll around the city to stretch your legs after the long journey. This first day will allow you to rest and recover, as well to start exploring this fascinating city. (See our FAQ section for “Why stay in Sapporo and not in a ski resort?)”

Day 2 : You will be so stoked by the sheer amount of snow that you will not want to rest for long! You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and taken to the nearby snowy mountains (we will pick the best resort based on snow conditions – we want you to experience the deepest powder around! See Details of Sapporo ski resorts section for a list of the resorts to be visited) Your experienced guide will help you find the freshest, deepest tracks for some memorable shredding. Depending on your ski/snowboard level and your needs, your mountain guide will show you around the resort slopes, help you through your first deep powder snow experience, take you to the best untracked side-country routes for you to get maximum enjoyment out of the incredible snow and terrain, or simply be a fun freeride partner to share all the good times in the snow together. See the SPA Frequently Asked Questions section for more information on skiing ability, guiding etc. After an ecstatic day on the hill you will be driven back to Sapporo, before enjoying Skilas’ famous Welcome Dinner: a huge feast of tasty fresh local specialities (seafood, sushi, noodles, tempura etc.) washed down with unlimited drinks. That night could be a good time to explore Sapporo’s bustling nightlife – but not too late as there is plenty more powder to enjoy the next day!

Days 3-12 : A further nine incredible days of deep powder skiing awaits you! We will take you to the best ski resorts around Sapporo (4 or 5 different resorts depending on conditions and group preferences) to enjoy the super-deep, silky smooth products on offer in this magical land. Your guide will help you get the most out of the mountains by showing you all the best lines and taking you to his favourite secret powder stashes. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy the Japanese hot springs ( onsen ) if you want to try this traditional Japanese pastime! In between all this action you also get a well deserved rest day which allows you to explore Sapporo City.

Day 13 : The last day in Sapporo provides you with several options:

1) Rest your hard-working powder legs and relax in the city;

2) Keep powering through with another ski day in the powder – we do warn you in advance that it gets highly addictive! ( additional charge to be paid locally );

3) Do some sightseeing or shopping ( additional charge to be paid locally ).

Day 14 : Unfortunately your time in Japan is coming to an end… After a final night back in Sapporo, you will be transferred back to New Chitose Airport for your flight home – taking some incredible memories, photos and videos away with you.

Please visit the Silky Powder Adventure Frequently Asked Questions Section for more information.

See what our clients think about our Silky Powder Tours in our  Testimonials Section.

Book Your Silky Powder Tour!

For details of all our other tours (beginners, specials, custom-made requests) please check our Japan Ski Tours  page

Silky Powder Discovery (Beginners)    Custom-Made Tours    Sapporo Ski Day

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Oz Snow has been committed to offering quality snow trips at a reasonable price to skiers and boarders since 1999. We can offer flexible packages to all individuals and groups including social, university, school, and corporate groups at a competitive price. Oz Snow designs their tours to be fun filled, good value for money and will remove the stress from organising your snow holiday.

Oz Snow is a one stop shop tour operator, travel agent, hotel and ski shop owner all in one. This enables us to have greater control and organisation of our tours as well as keeping our prices down and simplifying a usually over complicated process. Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced skier or boarder come along and experience the snow scene for a fun filled trip with Oz Snow.

We also own and operate Extreme Adventures which offers spring break and short trips for International Students.

Travel Agent lic No. 2TA5534

JAPAN SNOW PACKAGES

Plan your next ski trip to Japan with Oz Snow! Our crew have been leading the way in semi-hosted snow packages to Japan since 2004.

We have Oz Snow hosts on the ground in Hakuba, Madarao and Niesko, who can help you out and share their local expert knowledge.

MADARAO, MYOKO & NOZAWA POWDER PACKS

Madarao, Myoko and Nozawa make up the Powder Belt of the Japanese Alps with over 13m of snow falling annually. Ski all 4 mountains (within 30 minutes of each other) on the combined Powder Belt Pass. Not yet a main stream ski resort to westerners, Madarao offers a true Japanese ski experience. Myoko and Nozawa are 30 minutes down the road, offer even more terrain and fresh tracks. Located 2 hours from Hakuba and 4 hours from Tokyo with easy bullet train access.

HAKUBA POWDER PACKS

Hakuba  is widely known as being a first class international resort with some of the best ski/board terrain and snowfall in all of  Japan . The Hakuba Valley is a huge expanse of 9 ski resorts offering an incredible variety of terrain and exploring for skiers and snowboarders alike. Whether you want the steepest runs in Japan, tons of dry powder, terrain parks, half pipes or you’re looking for some easy ski runs, Hakuba has it all.The host of the 1998 Winter Olympics and boasting over 1080m of vertical skiing,  Hakuba  is equivalent to many of the more widely known resorts of  North America . It is easily accessible, only 5 hours from Tokyo and offers a real Japanese experience along with some great nightlife all within walking distance from our Hakuba accommodation.

NISEKO POWDER PACKS

Niseko, located on the Northern Island of Hokkaido is known for its abundance of dry powder snow. It has some of the most consistent and biggest snowfalls in Japan since it receives Siberian storm systems from Russia that dump straight onto the Niseko ski fields. The Niseko ski area itself is made up of 4 ski resorts, all interlinked by way of a shared lift system: Annupuri, Hirafu, Hanazono and Niseko Village make up the mountain of Niseko. As Niseko is the most popular ski resort in Japan for Australians, there are many bars and nightlife options to keep occupied for a complete snow holiday. Ski all 4 Niseko Resorts – All Mountain Lift Pass included in Packages!

Share with friends so they can go skiing too!

Why book ski tours with us?

Ski tours for beginners & families.

No experience required! Our ski tours are designed for beginners and families with gears, lift tickets and lessons included. Enjoy a hassle-free snow holiday in Japan with your friends or kids!

Ski resorts selected with local knowledge

We’ve selected ski resorts that are a little off the beaten “slope” and beginner-friendly. Many of the resorts are less crowded so you can enjoy fresh snow without fighting the crowds!

Explore Japan on and off the snow

Disney, snow monkeys, Hokkaido food… In addition to the skiing experience, we have also included sightseeing and culinary experiences, so you can get the most out of Japan while you are there!

Current offer: Group booking discount

Gather up and make your Japan holiday extra special!

Save 8% off if:

You are a group of 4 people or more for our Niseko & Sapporo ski tours.

You are a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children) or more for our Furano, Hakuba, Yuzawa ski tours.

Discounts valid for travel up to 19 February 2024, and all travel must be booked no later than 6 December 2023.

* Group booking discount terms and conditions  apply.

Hokkaido Ski Tours

Enjoy fine snow plus hokkaido highlights.

Enjoy skiing in winter Hokkaido with everything you need for a great time: from lift passes, ski & clothing hire to a ski lesson (Sapporo ski). Discover Hokkaido with our tour guide and enjoy local food in a fun, relaxing environment.

Niseko Powder Snow Tour – Hotel Stay

Enjoy Niseko’s powder snow and unique Japanese culture all in one holiday

Chitose > Niseko > Toya > Noboribetsu > Sapporo > Chitose

January & February 2024 Departures

Niseko Powder Snow Tour - Apartment stay

January 2024 Departures

Sapporo Fun Ski & Hokkaido Highlights

Ski experience with mates in Sapporo, Hokkaido plus Hokkaido highlights

Chitose > Sapporo > Sapporo Teine > Otaru > Sapporo > Chitose

Furano Family Ski & Hokkaido Highlights

Family ski holiday in Furano plus Hokkaido highlights

Asahikawa > Furano > Sapporo > Otaru > Sapporo > Chitose

January & February 2024 departures

Self-guided ski package, Niseko + Sapporo

Fly into Hokkaido & start your ski adventure. Hotel + transfers included, you decide the rest!

7 days / 6 nights

Honshu, Japan Mainland Ski Tours

Ski, tokyo and beyond.

Enjoy the perfect combo for family fun: Japan snow, Disney, and more. Learn to ski at ski resorts that are all accessible from Tokyo.

Hakuba Norikura for Families & First-time Skiers

Disney, snow monkeys and skiing at the legendary Hakuba

Tokyo > Tokyo Disney Resort®, Urayasu > Iiyama > Hakuba Norikura > Nagano > Tokyo

January – February 2024 Departures

Yuzawa for Families & First-time Skiers

Kid Heaven: Tokyo Disney Resort® and 3 days skiing

Tokyo > Tokyo Disney Resort®, Urayasu > NASPA Ski Garden, Yuzawa > Tokyo

Tangram Ski Circus for Families & First-time Skiers

Kid Heaven: Tokyo Disney Resort®, snow monkeys and skiing

Tokyo > Tokyo Disney Resort®, Urayasu > Iiyama > Madarao > Nagano > Tokyo

New departure dates coming soon

Karuizawa for Families & First-time Skiers

Tokyo Disney Resort®, Skiing and Shopping

Tokyo > Tokyo Disney Resort®, Urayasu > Karuizawa > Tokyo

Book your perfect Japan holiday in 3 easy steps!

Follow the easy steps and let us take care of the details!

About Kintetsu

In australia.

Kintetsu International Express (Oceania) is an ATAS accredited travel agent in Australia, a member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents. In Australia, we specialise in arranging Corporate and Group Travel for businesses, schools, religious groups and cultural organisations. We have Travel Centres in Sydney serving our Australian customers and offices in Cairns, Gold Coast and Auckland handling Japanese inbound tours. We are also an authorised travel agent to sell Japan Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass in Australia

In Japan and Worldwide

Kintetsu International belongs to the travel arm of the Kintetsu Group, a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate which operates a major Japanese rail system, bus & freight forwarding companies, department stores, restaurants & hotel chains. We have more than 150 offices in Japan and more than 40 overseas offices worldwide. Utilising our global network, we guide our customers to every location around the globe with quality and dependable services.

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SKIING IN JAPAN

Why ski Japan? R eliable powder snow, spectacular scenery, natural hot springs, night skiing, culture and fantastic cuisine just to name a few reasons. There are many regions you can ski in Japan. Hokkaido is the coldest and most northern Japanese island and receives some of the best snow there is. Honshu is the main island of Japan and features more than 349 ski resorts.

The most popular resort on Hokkaido is Niseko, a resort well-known with skiers and snowboarders throughout the world. Hirafu Village is the main village of Niseko with lots of restaurants, shops and nightlife. Furano is one of Japans most famous ski resorts, although relatively unknown outside Japan. After a big snow fall there is often untracked powder for days. Rusutsu is a highlight for powder seekers with its fall line tree skiing easily accessed straight off lifts. Tomamu is one of Japan’s best family ski resorts with extensive beginner and intermediate terrain and some excellent tree skiing to keep powder hunters happy. The resort has a wave pool, ice village and multitude of restaurants.

The main island of Honshu is home to Hakuba with 9 ski areas accessing over 200 runs and offers everything from gentle beginner slopes to steeps, bumps and long groomers and of course plenty of fresh powder. While in Hakuba take a break from the snow to see the snow monkeys at Jigokundani Hot Springs. The resort of Nozawa Onsen combines great skiing, history, charm, tradition and hospitality all blended together in one wonderful location. The village is famous for more than 30 public hot springs dotted throughout the village. Shiga Kogen is the largest ski area in Honshu with 21 interlinking ski areas and 80 kilometers of trails. Myoko Kogen is perfect for those looking for an authentic Japanese experience and is made up of 10 different ski areas largely linked together by shuttle bus.

Photo credit: Rusutsu

MYOKO KOGEN

NOZAWA ONSEN

SHIGA KOGEN

We have a range of holiday packages to Niseko, Hakuba, Rusutsu, Furano, Nozawa Onsen, Kiroro, Tomamu, Myoko Kogen, Shiga Kogen, Naeba, Arai and Madarao and cater to all levels of skiers and snowboarders with a wide choice of accommodation in terms of budget, style and location.

Current Specials for our Resorts Around Japan

Niseko Early Bird Offer 2024/25

Hakuba – Early Bird 2024/25

Rusutsu – Early Bird 2024/25

FURANO – Early Bird 2024/25

Shiga Kogen – Early Bird 2024/25

Naeba – Early Bird 2024/25

About ski japan.

SkiJapan.com has specialised in Hokkaido's best ski resorts for the past 25 years and continues to be Hokkaido's longest serving and largest inbound ski and snowboard tour operator. We can customise a package to suit all your holiday needs when travelling to Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Furano, Sahoro, Tomamu, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Myoko Kogen, Shiga Kogen and Appi with packages including accommodation, transfers, lift tickets, rental and lessons, tours, and stopover options.

Ski Japan Travel Co Ltd is a Licensed Japanese Travel Agent & member of the All Nippon Travel Agents Association (ANTA).

5-31, 1Chome, 2Jo, Niseko Hirafu, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 044-0089 JAPAN (+81) 136 22 4611 [email protected]

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Snow Report

For 2022/23 Winter Season, please see the weather and lift status from the Niseko United’s official page:

https://www.niseko.ne.jp/en/niseko-lift-status/

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Book Japan Ski Deals 2024-25

Get a quote.

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Yes. But no single booking engine hosts the huge range of accommodation on offer so to see the choices open to you, enquire first. We will then send you quotes for the best properties available.

You can take advantage of free advice and guidance from our experienced consultants, book resort services, and utilize local currency domestic payment options.

Websites with a ‘book now’ option are only offering a limited range of accommodation, which gives no peace of mind that you are booking the best place you can.

So enquire now, then book with us online.

Japan Ski Deals

If you are looking for the best Japan ski packages for winter 2024-2025, you have come to the right place. We are trusted Japan ski holiday specialists with 15 years experience booking packages for guests in Niseko, Hakuba, Furano and Rusutsu. Our team consists of local experts who are based in Japan ski resorts , and know every Japan ski accommodation option. We are here for you, to personally recommend the best Japan ski deals available and help you find the perfect holiday for your group, for the same price you would pay for booking direct!

To understand how helpful this has been to our guests, check what has been said about our service in third party reviews . We recently received further recognition as winners of ‘ Japan’s Best Ski Travel Agent ‘, as voted for by Ski Asia subscribers. To book a Japan ski package at the best possible price, your timing could not be better! Japanese Yen recently fell to a 34 year low against the US Dollar, making it about a third cheaper to book travel in Japan now than it was 10 years ago!

Japan Ski Packages by Resort

2024-25 Japan ski deals are now available for Niseko and Hakuba with deals for Rusutsu and Furano  coming soon. Check here to discover which resort is best for your holiday!

SAVE UP TO 30% ON NISEKO

You cannot beat Hirafu accommodation for deals! Most properties in Niseko are now open bookings for the 2024-25 ski season with generous discounts available for a limited time only. Submit an enquiry and let our team find the best Japan ski deal for you!

SAVE UP TO 15% ON HAKUBA

Great deals are being released for Hakuba . As a large ski area in central Japan with properties in the buzzing Echoland and popular Happo area , our expert team can make all the difference to finding the best deal and booking the Japan ski holiday for your group!

FEATURED JAPAN SKI DEALS

2024-25 Japan ski deals are available on properties in Niseko and Hakuba. These popular accommodations are offering up to 30% off regular prices. Blackout dates and minimum nights stay may apply. If you would like more information, just submit an enquiry . Our specialist team will be in touch with some Japan ski holiday quotes, and will be available to answer any questions.

Loft Niseko

Experience the luxury of  Loft Niseko 3 bedroom apartments, currently available to book with a fantastic 15% discount!

Muse Niseko

With amazing Mt.Yotei views and all you need at your fingertips Muse is an excellent choice for your Hirafu ski holiday, with savings of 15% if you book now!

Kizuna Niseko

Kizuna are prestigious upper Hirafu Japan ski apartments and chalets with a 20% early booking discount.

Niseko Landmark View

Iconic apartments moments from the Hirafu Gondola, book Niseko Landmark View now and get a 20% deal.

Villa Wellstone O’Sam

There is a 10% discount and good availability at  Villa Wellstone O’Sam 3 bedroom chalets!

Greystone Niseko

A 7 bedroom residence, Greystone is an opportunity for large groups looking for a luxury Japan ski holiday for up to 20% less!

Happo Slopeside Apartments

With a choice of 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms, book the ski-in ski-out Happo Slopeside Apartments Hakuba now for a 15% discount.

Immerse yourself in luxury in  One Happo Hakuba , an exclusive 5 bedroom chalet available with a 10% discount when booked before 30th June 2024.

Phoenix One Chalet

With a Japanese-style onsen bath and an infra red sauna, Phoenix One Chalet will not disappoint. Enjoy 10% off when booked before 30th June 2024.

Ro-An is an impressive 5 bedroom chalet, enjoying fantastic mountain views in the peaceful Izumikyo. Book by 31st May to receive 15% discount on this stunning property.

Surrounded by serene birch trees,  Yuzen is a six bedroom chalet with a warm, inviting ambiance and an onsen-style bath. Book by 31st May to save 15%.

The Vale Niseko

Save 5-15% when you book  The Vale , a popular condominium ski-in ski-out Niseko property  by 31st May.

The Maples Niseko

With an unrivalled ski-in ski-out location you can enjoy 5-15% off  The Maples condominium hotel in Niseko when you book by 31st May.

Niseko Kyo is a luxurious ski-in ski-out condominium-style apartment complex. Save 5-15% when you book by 31st May

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When are the best japan ski deals available.

Every spring when the booking season opens, most properties announce Japan ski deals. This is your chance to secure the best deals of the year, as the highest discounts are available, and the most popular properties are not yet booked up. But this doesn’t last for long! If you are looking to book a Japan ski package over Christmas, New Year or peak season dates , it is especially important to get in early. We have created these pages to keep you up to date on the best Japan ski deals available in each resort. With so many choices it can be overwhelming, so, as independent specialists, let us do the work. Submit an enquiry form and our team will get back to you to recommend the best deals available for your Japan ski holiday.

What about Japan Ski Packages?

Gone are the days when a traditional package was the cheapest way to book. The best Japan ski deals are available when you book accommodation and resort services separately, but that doesn’t mean you have to book them in different places. Japan Ski Experience offers  accommodation and resort services as individual services, each with best price guarantees. Lock in accommodation first, then our team will assist you adding the resort services you need for the perfect Japan ski package, without the mark-up of a traditional package holiday.

HOW TO GET THE BEST JAPAN SKI DEAL

Let our specialists check availability over your travel dates and get back to you with the best deals for your Japan ski package.

When you’re accommodation is locked in, find the cheapest flight to to Tokyo airports for Hakuba , or Sapporo New Chitose for Hokkaido resorts . When the time is right, we will ask you about adding ski services to your booking.

We look forward to receiving your enquiry and helping you plan your perfect Japan ski holiday!

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2024-25 BOOKINGS OPEN

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!

(Limited Time Only)

Booking early is especially important for big groups and those looking to travel over peak dates as availability disappears fast.

ENQUIRE NOW

Japan Ski Holidays

Japan ski travel is officially open!! Following the easing of restrictions on 11 October 2022, New Zealand passport holders no longer need to apply for a visa in advance. Furthermore, the ERFS certificate is no longer required. At this stage, travellers are still required to either: Be triple vaccinated and provide a vaccine certificate OR, Have a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure. More information can be found HERE .

Japan is renowned for its light, fluffy powder with an average of 10-15 metres of snowfall a year. With mountains of endless powder to discover and over 500 resorts to choose from. There’s plenty of options for beginners to experts – groomed slopes to tree skiing and powder skiing. Moreover, Japan is known for its amazing hospitality, beautiful cultural experiences, traditional cuisine, relaxing hot springs, lively après ski, wintry activities, beginner and advanced snow trails and impressive snow festivals. Japan has plenty of options too: from all-inclusive Club Med to ski-in, ski-out, family-friendly and resorts in charming village settings. Whether it’s Hokkaido or Honshu, our travel experts have been there and can share their knowledge to help plan your perfect Japan ski holiday!

Hokkaido’s mountains are huge powder magnets. Cold snaps come off the Sea of Japan and Siberia bringing massive powder dumps to the ski areas. Undoubtedly, a destination with a reputation for powder combined with Japanese cultural experiences.

The Japanese Alps of Honshu are home to ski resorts with well-developed facilities and an abundance of activities. An ideal destination for those looking for a combination of ski and board adventures and authentic Japanese experiences.

Ski Season: November to May (dates vary by resort). | Average Snowfall: 10-15 metres. | Snow: Cold, dry and fluffy powder | Accommodation:  Hotels, self-contained apartments, family-run lodges and traditional pensions. | Ability: Skiing for all levels. Beginner to expert

Without a doubt, there is something for everyone at Japan. Enquire with us today for a ski trip you will never forget!

Get your gloves on our 2023/24 Ski & Board brochure – and start planning your ski holiday. Compiled by our ski travel experts, it’s packed with inspiration and the latest information, insider tips, terrain and mountain statistics from top resorts in Japan. Click HERE to download your copy now to find the best ski resort, accommodation and experiences for your next trip.

Destinations in Hokkaido

Destinations in Honshu

Indian Travelers Hit New Spending Peak: How Much They Spent Overseas

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

May 23rd, 2024 at 10:56 AM EDT

Of course, we know that Indians are traveling more than ever, but nothing like statistics to highlight just how significant travel spending has become.

Peden Doma Bhutia

Indian travelers have reached a new peak in overseas spending.

According to data from India’s central bank, Indians spent $31.7 billion overseas under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) , in fiscal 2024 according to a Times of India report .

And more than half of that – 54% – was on international travel: $17 billion. That’s a 25% increase from the previous year.

This resurgence comes after a sharp decline in 2021, when international travel spending plummeted to $3.2 billion for Indians due to the pandemic.

The introduction of the Tax Collected at Source (TCS) in October 2023 has impacted the monthly average spending. Before the TCS implementation, the average monthly spend was $1.5 billion, which decreased to $1.3 billion between October 2023 and March 2024.

Under the new TCS rules, overseas tour packages up to INR 700,000 ($8,384) incur a 5% tax. Above that and the tax goes to 20%.

MakeMyTrip Co-Founder and Group CEO, Rajesh Magow, earlier told Skift that while it was initially confusing , travelers are now getting accustomed to the INR 700,000 limit.

Indians Spend Big on Travel

An earlier joint report by Booking.com and McKinsey had projected that Indians could become the fourth-largest global travel spenders by 2030.

It projected that travel spending for Indians would rise from $150 billion in 2019 to $410 billion by 2030. While outbound trips currently account for only 1% of total trips, they contribute to 25% of total expenditure, a figure anticipated to grow to 35% in the next decade.

American Express Travel’s global travel trends report also indicates that Indians plan to increase their travel spending.

The first quarter of 2024 alone saw 97 million passengers traveling through Indian airports for both international and domestic trips, Mastercard Economics Institute noted in its latest report. It’s a stark contrast to a decade ago when such figures would take a year to achieve.

The Rising Middle Class

A growing number of Indian travelers with improving incomes bodes well for the travel industry.

The Mastercard report projects that India will add over 20 million middle-class individuals (earning more than $15,000 annually) and nearly 2 million high-income earners (earning more than $80,000 annually) over the next five years.

This year’s Skift Megatrends highlighted India’s middle class, which makes up 31% of India’s population, a figure expected to rise to 38% by 2031 and 60% by 2047. And 65% of India’s population is under 35 years old.

By the middle of this century, India is expected to boast a middle-class population of around 1 billion.

International Destinations

Indian travel trends also show growth in international destinations.

As of March 2024, Indian passenger arrivals into the U.S. were 59% above 2019 levels, outperforming the overall recovery of overseas visitors to the U.S., which remains 6% below 2019 levels, the Mastercard report noted.

Similarly, travel to Japan surged by 53% in March 2024 compared to 2019. The number of flights from India to Vietnam saw an increase of 248% in March 2024 compared to the same month in 2019.

Skift India Report

The Skift India Report is your go-to newsletter for all news related to travel, tourism, airlines, and hospitality in India.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: american express , asia monthly , booking.com , makemytrip , Mastercard , middle class , skift india report , taxes , travel spending

Photo credit: Travel spending for Indian travelers is projected to rise from $150 billion in 2019 to $410 billion by 2030. jcomp / Freepik

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MLB says robot home plate umpires unlikely for 2025

Major League Baseball says robot home plate umpires are unlikely for 2025.

“We still have some technical issues,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday at a news conference following an owners meeting. “We haven’t made as much progress in the minor leagues this year as we sort of hoped at this point. I think it’s becoming more and more likely that this will not be a go for ’25.”

MLB has been experimenting with the automated ball-strike system in minor leagues since 2019. It is being used at all Triple-A parks this year for the second straight season, the robot alone for the first three games of each series and a human with a challenge system in the final three.

“There’s a growing consensus in large part based on what we’re hearing from players that the challenge form should be the form of ABS if and when we bring it to the big leagues, at least as a starting point,” Manfred said. “I think that’s a good decision.”

After instituting a pitch clock in 2023, MLB slowed innovation this year, with only small rules adjustments.

“One thing we did learn with the changes that we went through last year, taking the extra time to make sure you have it right, is definitely the best approach,” Manfred said. “I think we’re going to use that same approach here.”

Manfred said discussions have not taken place with the players' association on the shape of an automated strike zone. There is little desire to call the strike zone as defined in the rule book as a cube. The ABS currently calls strikes solely based on where the ball crosses the midpoint of the plate, 8.5 inches from the front and the back.

MLB's meetings with players revealed a preference for a challenge system in order to continue to incentivize catcher framing skills.

“Originally we thought everybody was going to be wholeheartedly in favor of the idea if you can get it right every single time, that’s a great idea,” Manfred said. “One thing we’ve learned in these meetings is the players feel there could be other effects on the game that would be negative if you use it full-blown.

“Players feel that a catcher that frames is part of the, if you’ll let me use the word art of the game, and that if in fact framing is no longer important, the kind of players that would occupy that position might be different than they are today," Manfred said. "You could hypothesize a world where instead of a framing catcher who’s focused on defense, the catching position becomes a more offensive player. That alters people’s careers. Those are real, legitimate concerns that we need to think all the way through before we jump off that bridge."

John Slusher, Nike's executive vice president of global sports marketing, spoke to owners about the company's much-criticized new uniforms, which will be altered for 2025. MLB and Nike announced on May 3 that uniforms will have larger lettering on the back of jerseys and individual pant customization will be available to all players beginning in 2025.

“I think they appropriately took responsibility for the issues with respect to the new uniforms and the rollout of those uniforms,” Manfred said. “It’s the first time the owners had had heard this directly from Nike. They had been consistent with me about taking responsibility.”

Manfred said Nike said it will address "the letters, the non-customized pants, the sweat through and the lack of matching of the grays."

Manfred said Houston, Miami, San Juan and Tokyo will be sites for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The final will be in Miami for the second tournament in a row, after 2023.

MLB has switched efforts to develop a tackier baseball to working with Rawlings, its supplier since 1977. MLB had been collaborating with Dow Chemical.

“Dow has kind of cried uncle,” Manfred said. “They spent a ton of money and worked with us. They were great partners, had a lot of good ideas and we just were not able to come up with a ball that was playable. We’re now focusing our efforts on a tacky ball with the Rawlings people.”

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2 Comments Login to comment

Gene Hennigh Today 07:18 am JST

It's hard to understand why people would go to a live baseball game to watch machines. There are games online (I've seen them) that make each call perfectly. What's next? Robots as players? There are strategies pitchers and catchers use with a pitched ball. Take that away and the human element goes with it. Why go to a game? Sit at home and watch sabermetrics tell you what's happening. Then you could avoid parking and leaving and you could fix your own hot dogs. Criminy. They could use cardboard cut outs of the fans with sound effects to make it seem like there are people there. Or just play the game on your computer or smartphone.

Speed Today 11:05 am JST

Sometimes, even if AI or a machine can do the job, it's better to keep the human element in.

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