A ski or snowboard trip to the snowy mountains offers a unique winter experience like no other. But have you ever felt unsure when planning a trip, wondering, “How do I get to the ski resort?” or “What should I prepare?” — only to realize there’s a lot you don’t know?
The good news is that by taking advantage of a ski bus tour, which bundles round-trip transportation, lift tickets, and equipment rentals, anyone — whether a beginner or an experienced skier — can easily enjoy a ski or snowboard trip, whether it’s a day trip or an overnight stay.
In this guide, we’ll introduce the benefits of ski bus tours and explain how to make the most of them for your next snowy mountain adventure.
What Is a Ski Bus Tour? A New Go-To Way to Enjoy the Snowy Mountains Effortlessly
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A ski bus tour is a package trip that takes you from cities like Tokyo to ski resorts and back on a large coach bus. Unlike traveling by public transportation, the biggest advantage is that you can go directly to the ski resort entrance without any transfers.
The tour fee typically includes round-trip bus fare and lift tickets, and depending on the plan, it may also cover ski or snowboard rentals and accommodation.
For morning departures from Shinjuku, buses usually leave around 6:30–8:00 AM, arriving at nearby ski resorts around 10:30–11:00 AM. On the other hand, if you take a night departure bus, you can arrive at the resort around 5:00–6:00 AM the next morning — perfect for those who want to hit the slopes first thing in the morning. Returning is just as easy: buses depart from the resort in the evening and reach Shinjuku around 9:00–10:00 PM, so there’s no need to worry about driving back. You can simply relax and sleep on the bus. Travel hands-free, enjoy skiing to the fullest,
Five Unique Advantages Only Possible with a Bus Tour
1. Convenience: No complicated transfers! Direct access to the ski resort.
The biggest advantage of a bus tour is that once you board the bus at the meeting point, you can go directly to the ski resort. When using public transportation, transfers are often necessary, and carrying your gear can be surprisingly burdensome. With a bus, however, you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride until you arrive — making the journey much more comfortable.
2. Comfort: Enjoy Long-Distance Travel with Your Choice of Seat Types
Travel time to the ski resort is typically 3–5 hours one way. While it’s a long journey, a comfortable bus seat makes it much easier. With Orion Tour, you can choose your seat type, and some ski bus tours even offer the “Spacious Seat” plan for extra comfort on long trips. This design reduces the usual 11 rows of seats to 10, giving significantly more legroom. While standard seat pitch is around 70–90 cm, the “Spacious Seat” offers about 94 cm, allowing you to relax and stretch out. All this comes at an affordable price, letting you enjoy a comfortable and leisurely journey.
3. Value for Money: Enjoy More Savings Than Booking Separately!
Instead of arranging transportation, lift tickets, and rentals separately, using an all-inclusive bus tour is much more cost-effective. The money you save can be spent on a delicious lunch, souvenirs, or other enjoyable experiences, making your trip even more rewarding.
4. Safety and Security: Travel Without Driving on Unfamiliar Snowy Roads
Since roads near ski resorts are typically snowy, driving yourself can be stressful even for experienced drivers — from switching to studded tires to putting on chains in heavy snow when required. With a bus tour, you don’t have to worry about any of this. An experienced driver handles the journey, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenery while traveling safely to your destination.
5.Local Experiences: Discover Regional Culture at Rest Stops
One of the highlights of a bus tour is stopping at service areas along the highway every two hours or so. These stops let you enjoy local cuisine, regional specialties, and scenic views, offering a unique way to experience the area that you wouldn’t get traveling any other way.
How to Use a Bus Tour: A Complete Guide from Booking to Returning Home
Step 1: Book Your Desired Tour on the Official Website
Ski bus tours require advance reservations, so the first step is to find a plan that matches your preferences on the official website. Tours depart from locations across the country, and there is especially a wide selection for departures from the Kanto region, so be sure to double-check your departure location before booking.
Step 2: Arrive at the Departure Point with Plenty of Time to Spare
On the day of departure, make sure to allow plenty of time to get to the meeting point. The bus will depart on schedule even if not everyone has arrived, and late arrivals are not eligible for refunds, so be careful. Once you reach the meeting point, having your reservation confirmation email or a screenshot of your booking ready will make check-in go smoothly.
Step 3: Get Ready as Soon as You Arrive at the Ski Resort!
Once you arrive at your destination ski resort, head to the “Center House”, which houses the lift ticket counter, rental area, restaurants, and more, to complete the following preparations.
1.Pick Up Your Lift Ticket
Present your reservation number at the ticket counter to receive your lift ticket. Lift tickets are usually available in two types: IC cards and paper tickets.
2.Pick Up Rental Equipment (for Plans with Rentals)
At the rental counter, fill out the required information on the application form (such as height, weight, and shoe size), and the staff will select equipment in the appropriate size for you.
▼Caution▼
On the day of the tour, you may often need to pay an additional insurance fee on top of the rental fee included in the tour. The presence and amount of this fee vary depending on the ski resort, so be sure to check the notes on the tour booking site before making your reservation.
3.Get Ready in the Changing Room
After changing clothes in the changing room, store your belongings — such as your clothes and bags — in a locker (locker fees vary by ski resort). Once your items are safely stored, it’s time to head out to the slopes!
Step 4: Enjoy the Snowy Mountains to the Fullest!
Enjoy the extraordinary scenery and soft, powdery snow to the fullest while on the slopes. Resort maps are available throughout the ski area, so it’s recommended to start with a course that matches your skill level to warm up. If you’re unsure about skiing or snowboarding, you can also join a lesson to learn the basics (advance reservation and additional fee required).
After plenty of time on the slopes, why not recharge with a “gere-shoku” (slope-side meal) for lunch? The quality of food at ski resorts has been improving year by year, and many restaurants now offer signature dishes unique to their area — ensuring a satisfying and enjoyable lunch break.
Step 5: Prepare for the return trip with plenty of time to spare
After enjoying the slopes, make sure to return to the Center House at least 30 minutes before the bus departs to take care of returning rental equipment and changing clothes in preparation for your journey home. This is also a good time to pick up souvenirs or snacks for the bus.
After departing the ski resort, you will arrive at the drop-off point around 8:00–9:00 PM. Even if you wake up early, ski a lot, and end up falling asleep on the bus from fatigue, you can reach your destination worry-free on a bus tour.
A Must-See for Beginners! Ski Bus Tour Packing List
If you forget something at the ski resort, it can often be difficult to replace, so it’s important to check your belongings in advance. To enjoy your time on the slopes comfortably, make sure to prepare at least the following items:
● Cash (in case cashless payments are not accepted)
● ID / insurance card (in case of injury; safe to keep in a locker)
● Gloves / hat / goggles (may not be included in rentals)
● Mobile battery
● Regular medications / pharmaceuticals
● Items for the bus ride (eye mask / headphones / mask, etc.)
On the official Orion Tour website, a detailed packing list for ski and snowboard trips is provided. It’s reassuring to check this list while preparing.
Go with Orion Tour! Recommended Popular Ski Resorts
Here are the ski resorts that are especially popular on Orion Tour, which offers a wide range of ski bus tours. For beginners in skiing or snowboarding, or those using a tour for the first time, it’s recommended to start with popular resorts that have many available tour dates and strong support.
Tambara Ski Park (Gunma Prefecture)
With 80% of its courses designed for beginners and intermediates, this ski resort is very friendly for newcomers. It also features “Tambara Land,” a dedicated snow play area where you can enjoy activities like sledding even if you don’t ski or snowboard.
Ryuoo Ski Park (Nagano Prefecture)
The view from the SORA Terrace at an elevation of 1,930 meters is truly breathtaking. You can reach the summit by gondola, so you don’t even need skis or a snowboard to enjoy the scenery. The resort also offers a variety of courses and high-quality snow, making it a must-visit destination.
Madarao Mountain Resort (Madarao Kogen & Tangram)
Famed for its tree runs and premium powder snow known as “Madapow”, this resort ranks among Japan’s top in terms of the number of courses. When combined with the neighboring Tangram area, the skiable terrain is vast and impossible to fully explore in a single day. Many courses make use of the natural terrain, making it extremely popular among freestyle snowboarders.
Shiga Kogen (Yokoteyama & Shibu Toge Ski Resorts)
This is Japan’s highest-elevation ski area, known for its exceptional snow quality and an impressively long season that lasts until late May. From the mountaintop terrace, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Northern Alps, making it a destination worth visiting not just for skiing but also for the scenery.
Maiko Snow Resort (Niigata Prefecture)
With 26 courses to choose from, this large ski resort also offers plenty of options for beginners, so you can feel confident on the slopes. The Day Ski Center even features a hot spring, allowing you to relax and recover after skiing before heading home.
Enjoy a Ski or Snowboard Trip Easily with a Bus Tour Packed with Benefits!
If you’ve always dreamed of a ski or snowboard trip but feel overwhelmed by transportation and other arrangements, a ski bus tour is the perfect solution. With transportation, lift tickets, and rental equipment all included, even first-timers can enjoy the snowy mountains with peace of mind. This winter, set out for the slopes easily, safely, and affordably with a bus tour.
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