How to use lift tickets

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Rules & Manners

Publication Date：2017/11/10

lift

beginner

This article has been published more than a year ago and may differ from the actual information

Lifts are how you travel up the mountain to slide back down again. If you're new to skiing or snowboarding, it's best to practice on the easy slopes and in beginner areas before riding a lift. You'll need a lift ticket to ride them, which you can buy at ticket counters. Please bear in mind that many ski resorts in Japan accept cash only, and only a few accept credit cards.

Different types of tickets

There are many types of lift tickets, such as one-day, half-day, single-use and multiple-use tickets. A night ticket is required if using the lifts at night. There may also be lift tickets available for designated areas or time zones, depending on the ski resort. Some tickets may offer discounts, such as pairing lift tickets and lunch. It's best to purchase tickets according to your plans.

Ticket characteristics

One-day tickets let you use the lifts for the day until closing, while half-day tickets let you use the lifts for the morning or afternoon only. Multiple-use tickets allow you to go on lifts only for a designated number of times, but they may also be valid for the next time you visit the resort because they expire on the final day of the season. A one-time ticket is recommended for beginners because it can take some time to go down a course just once.

How to choose tickets

Choose your lift ticket according to your plans. If you intend to ski or snowboard from morning to afternoon, choose the one-day ticket. Or if you plan to ski or snowboard for half a day and enjoy snow-playing or activities for the rest of the day, an AM or PM ticket is recommended. A one-time ticket is good for beginners because it takes some time to go down a run just once. Multiple-use tickets may also be convenient to share with other members of your group. If you have children, a multiple-use or half-day tickets may be best because they may get tired after a while.

Show your ticket to the lift staff

Show your ticket to the staff in the lift's boarding area. You cannot go on the lift if the date or time zone isn't valid for your ticket.

A pass case is convenient

Prevent losing your ticket by putting it in a case instead of your pocket. Pass cases can be purchased in stores at ski resorts. A simple case may also be available at ticket counters. Ask the staff if they are available.

Some skiwear has pass cases attached. Check the sleeve, collar or around the hem of your skiwear to see if there is one.

IC tickets have IC chips built in

In addition to the conventional paper form, tickets with a built-in IC chip are becoming increasingly common. Gates with sensors read data from IC chips when riders board the lifts. In addition to the lift fee, these tickets require deposits (card guarantee deposits) of around 500-1,000 yen that will be refunded after the IC card is returned. The deposit will not be returned, however, if the IC card is lost.

IC tickets are recognized at the gate

IC cards do not need to be presented to staff, and you may pass through the gate in the lift boarding area with the card in your pocket. If the IC ticket is too far from the sensor, the gate won't open. An error sign will also appear if coins or smartphones are in the same pocket as the IC ticket. Call out to a staff member if you can't pass through the gate.

photo & text : Chiho Kuriyama