Family ski holidays in Japan can be a wonderful way to spend time with the kids, stay active as well as finding some time to relax, however planning and executing a ski holiday with children in mind can be a very overwhelming task. If not planned meticulously a ski ‘holiday’ can very quickly become a stressful, expensive and exhausting event rather than a relaxing vacation. Fortunately with the right information and advice the task of pulling off a memorable family holiday is far more achievable.
Some simple tips to keep in mind when planning your Niseko holiday:
Accommodation
There is no doubt that there are many great accommodation options in Niseko ranging from quiet relaxing chalets to luxurious ski-in, ski-out hotels. Finding a place that will make you feel at home, provide ample opportunity to relax and not blow the budget can be a difficult task and with the growing number of options in Niseko this can quickly become an overwhelming process. Japan Ski Experience (JSE) can help guide you with insightful knowledge and advice on Niseko properties that are tailored to your individual needs, preferences and budget. Check-out the amazing options available here.
Lessons
The best childcare option in town is to book the kids in for a lesson with one of the experienced snow sport schools. The kids will have an opportunity to learn for the first time or fine-tune their skiing and snowboarding skills, meet other children whilst allowing you time to explore the mountain with greater freedom. NISS located at the base of Hanazono ski resort offer arguably the best child’s program in Niseko. The state of the art facilities and elite instructor program combine to offer a safe and fun learning environment most conducive to your child’s skiing and snowboard development. Trust the team to look after your children while you capitalise on the sensational Niseko snow conditions.
Food
After a long day on the hill refuelling is always a big priority for ensuring the children remain happy in addition to taking advantage of the amazing local cuisine that Niseko has on offer. Be sure to book in advance to avoid long waits or any disappointment. Some great child-friendly restaurant/cafe options are:
- Niseko Ramen
- JoJo’s Cafe
- Milk Kobo
- Ezo Seafoods Oyster Bar
- Niseko Pizza
Best time to visit
If you are working with a budget a great time to visit Niseko is in March. Many accommodations offer discounted rates as well as rental and lift pass promotions that can make your japan ski experience much more affordable. Rhythm Japan provide free child rentals for every adult package purchased and lift passes are also free for kids skiing with an adult during the month of March. These can all be pre-ordered through your JSE booking and ready for you on arrival into the resort.
Non-ski activities
Wanting a rest day but also needing to keep the children entertained? There are plenty of fun activities and experiences on offer away from the slopes:
- Hanazono Resort Snowmobile Tours
- Hanazono Tube park
- Day trip to Otaru
- JoJo’s climb centre
With a bit of preparation and some insider knowledge you can seamlessly plan an unforgettable trip for the entire family and experience the world-class Niseko powder.