What a Week of Guided Backcountry Skiing and Accommodation Cost in Niseko, Japan?

It’s getting towards the end of September and everyone’s waiting for the Japanese government to relax the travel regulations for individual travel to Japan. When and how relaxed the new new regulations will be has not been confirmed. Everyone on the ground here in Niseko is preparing for a return to normal.

In the best case, individual travel returns to pre-Covid requirements and people are welcomed back to an eagerly waiting Niseko. Let’s say you want to come for 8 days: 7 days of guided backcountry and resort skiing and a day for getting into the country. Here is an example of the kind of costs involved:

Includes Daily Guiding with Niseko Mountain Guides AND private accommodation at the Niseko Mountain Guide Lodge for up to 4 people (you read it correctly!)

Number of people Cost PPPD

two ¥55,000

three ¥36,666

four ¥27,500

Food

Based on eating out every meal, ¥12,000 PPPD is hitting the sweet spot for most guests. Doing a shopping run or two and preparing your own meals in our well equipped kitchen at the lodge will result in considerable savings in this area. Drinks are moderately priced. I leave that up to you.

To Rent a Car or Not?

The winter snow storms get very strong here with snow blowing across the roads at eye height causing frequent whiteouts. After driving in these conditions for many years I finally realized that it is not only how well I can handle these adverse conditions. It is equally dependent on how well everyone else I may encounter on the road handles these conditions, many driving a rental car in snow for the first time in their life.

Uber does not exist here and taxis are in short supply.

At the moment, it seems that rental cars will be in short supply as companies scramble to restock their fleets.

Some companies limit the ability to place a reservation further than three months in the future, adding frustration to the holiday booking process.

If you are staying at Niseko Mountain Guides Lodge, we are 15-20 minutes away from convenience stores, supermarkets, and apres-ski bars and restaurants. We will happily do a couple of shopping runs with you during your stay so you can enjoy cooking meals and relaxing by the wood-stove at the lodge rather than heading out into the crowds and weather. If that sounds good to you, I would recommend not renting a car.

But if not having a car feels restrictive, then you will need to look into renting. For seven full days in a 4WD equipped car, prices range from ¥60,000 to ¥150,000 and up. Figure on spending somewhere in the middle.

Summing up

As an example, take a party of 4 and for a week of guided backcountry and resort skiing and accommodation, (7 days) x (Cost PPPD) -> 7 x ¥27,500= ¥192,500. For Food, multiply the number of days by the generous allotment of ¥12,000 PPPD-> 7 x ¥12,000= ¥84,000. Without renting a car and not including cost of beverages and lift tickets (if necessary), and onsen tickets, you get ¥276,500/person. Siri says that is equal to $1927 / 1,940 euro. With a car, add ¥25,000-ish and the total is ¥300,000/person. Siri says that is equal to $2,090 / 2,105 euro.

Special Offer

When you reserve five or more days of guided skiing and lodge accommodations with Niseko Mountain Guides, you get a complimentary night at the beginning or end of your stay, subject to availability.