TOPICS

BOOKING & YOUR EXPERIENCE

Which experience is right for me?

It depends on what you want from your day! Private Lessons are perfect for focused progression, our Family Package keeps everyone learning together, the Explorer Tour is designed for confident riders wanting to discover more of the mountain, and our Signature Day takes care of almost everything for you. If powder is the priority, the Ultimate Powder Tour is our premium snow-chasing experience.

Still unsure? Tell us your ability, group and what your perfect day looks like and we’ll recommend the best option.

Are your tours private?

Yes. Our experiences are designed around you and your group, meaning you won’t be placed with strangers. This gives us the freedom to adapt the pace, terrain and itinerary throughout the day.

How many people can join?

Group sizes vary depending on the experience, but most are designed for small private groups. You’ll find the maximum group size on each individual experience page. For larger families or groups, contact us and we can discuss the best setup for you.

Do I need to book in advance?

We strongly recommend it, particularly during Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and February. We may have last-minute availability, so it’s always worth getting in touch even if your trip is coming up soon.

Can you create something that isn't listed on the website?

Absolutely. Flexibility is a big part of The Great Out Tours. If you have a particular mountain, activity, itinerary or experience in mind, tell us about it and we’ll see what we can create.

SKI & SNOWBOARD ABILITY

I'm a complete beginner. Can I book with you?

Absolutely! We love introducing people to skiing and snowboarding. You don’t need any previous experience. We’ll start from the beginning and progress at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

Do you teach both skiing and snowboarding?

Yes. We offer both ski and snowboard instruction. Let us know which you’d like to learn when you enquire.

I'm not sure what ability level I am. Does it matter?

Not at all. Tell us a little about your previous experience and what terrain you’re comfortable on. We’ll work out the rest when we meet you.

Can different ability levels join the same booking?

Yes, although large differences in ability can sometimes limit how much terrain the group can explore together. We’ll always try to create a day that works for everyone and can recommend the best setup before you book.

Can you help experienced skiers and snowboarders too?

Definitely. The Great Out Tours isn’t just for beginners. We can work on advanced technique, powder riding, variable terrain, freestyle progression and mountain exploration depending on your experience and goals.

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

What age can children start lessons?

We welcome skiers as young as 4, although the ideal lesson length depends on the child’s age, confidence and experience. For younger first-timers, we generally recommend starting with a shorter session rather than a full day.

Can siblings learn together?

Yes. If their abilities are reasonably similar, siblings can have a fantastic time learning together.

Can parents join the kids?

Absolutely. Our Family Package is specifically designed for families who want to enjoy the mountain together while receiving private instruction and guidance.

What happens if my child gets tired?

We adapt the lesson. Children aren’t expected to ski continuously for hours, and we’ll include breaks where needed. The goal is for them to finish their lesson happy, confident and excited to ski again.

EQUIPMENT & LIFT PASSES

Do I need my own skis or snowboard?

No. Rental equipment can be arranged for you, and some of our premium experiences already include it. Check the individual experience page to see exactly what’s included.

Can you arrange clothing hire?

Yes, where available. If you don’t own ski clothing, let us know in advance and we can help organise what you need.

Are helmets included?

Helmets can be arranged alongside rental equipment and are included with selected packages. We strongly recommend wearing one whenever you’re on the mountain.

Are lift passes included?

This depends on the experience. Our Signature Day and Ultimate Powder Tour include lift passes, while standard lessons and some tours do not. Each experience page clearly shows what’s included.

Can you organise everything before we arrive?

Yes! If you’d rather not spend your first morning sorting equipment, passes and logistics, talk to us about arranging everything in advance or booking one of our concierge experiences.

YOUR DAY

What time do experiences start?

Most experiences typically begin around 9:00am, although start times can vary depending on the package, resort and conditions. Powder-focused experiences may begin earlier to make the most of fresh snow.

How long is a half day?

Our Half Day experiences are generally around 4 hours.

How long is a full day?

Our Full Day experiences are generally around 6 hours, usually including a lunch break. Exact timings are shown on each experience page.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included with most standard experiences unless stated otherwise. We’ll happily recommend our favourite mountain restaurants and help you find somewhere suitable for your group. Selected premium packages may include food.

Where will we meet?

Depending on the experience, we’ll either meet you at your hotel/accommodation or at an agreed location within the resort. We’ll confirm all meeting details before your booking.

Do we get breaks?

Of course. Your day is private, so we can stop for coffee, food, warm-ups or a rest whenever needed.

TRANSPORT

Do you offer hotel pick-up and drop-off?

Hotel transport is included with selected experiences, including our concierge and premium packages. For other experiences, transport may be available as an add-on.

Can you take us to another resort?

Depending on your experience, location, conditions and available time, yes. Resort hopping is part of selected The Great Out Tours experiences and can also be incorporated into bespoke itineraries.

Can you arrange airport transfers?

Yes. Airport and station transfers can be incorporated into our Complete Holiday Planning service or arranged as an additional service where available.

RESORTS & DESTINATIONS

Which resorts do you operate at?

Our main areas include Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, Myoko, Lotte Arai, Madarao, X-JAM and Hakuba, with other destinations available depending on your trip and requirements. Click here for more information!

Can I choose which resort we ski?

Absolutely. If you already know where you want to ski, let us know. Alternatively, for selected experiences we can recommend a resort based on your ability, interests and the conditions.

What if another resort has better snow?

For our flexible guiding and powder experiences, that’s exactly where local knowledge becomes valuable. Where practical, we can adapt the plan and head towards the better conditions rather than being unnecessarily tied to one mountain.

Can we visit multiple resorts during our holiday?

Definitely. Multi-resort trips are one of our favourite ways to experience Japan, and our Complete Holiday Planning service can coordinate the itinerary, accommodation, transport and mountain days for you.

POWDER

Do you guarantee powder?

Unfortunately, nobody can guarantee Mother Nature! What we can do is use forecasts, recent snowfall, conditions and local knowledge to give you the best chance of finding great snow.

What happens on an Ultimate Powder Tour if there isn't fresh powder?

We’ll adapt. The aim is always to find the best skiing available that day, whether that means changing areas, exploring different terrain or enjoying great groomers when fresh snow isn’t available.

Do I need to be an expert for a powder tour?

Not necessarily, but you should be a confident skier or snowboarder for our more advanced powder experiences. If you’re unsure whether your ability is suitable, contact us before booking.

Do you offer backcountry guiding?

Our standard tours focus on resort and permitted terrain. True backcountry experiences require appropriate qualified guiding, safety equipment and suitable conditions. Speak to us if backcountry is something you’re interested in and we can discuss appropriate options.

WEATHER & CONDITIONS

What happens if it snows?

We ski! Japan is famous for its snowfall, and snowy days can often be some of the best days on the mountain.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Most experiences operate in normal winter weather. If conditions become unsafe, we’ll always prioritise safety and may alter the itinerary, location or experience accordingly.

Can our itinerary change because of conditions?

Yes, particularly on our guiding, concierge and powder experiences. Flexibility allows us to make better decisions based on snowfall, visibility, wind, crowds and mountain conditions.

ADD ONS

Can you take photos and videos during our experience?

Yes. Casual photos and videos are included with selected experiences, while professional photography and edited footage can be added to others.

Do you offer GoPro or I360 footage?

Yes. GoPro and I360 footage and edited video options are available on selected experiences, and footage is included with our Ultimate Powder Tour.

Can we add night skiing?

Where the resort offers night skiing, absolutely. It can be a brilliant way to extend your mountain day and experience the resort in a completely different atmosphere.

Can you book restaurants for us?

Restaurant recommendations and reservation assistance are available with selected concierge and holiday-planning services. Tell us what kind of food or experience you’re looking for and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

Can you recommend onsens and things to do away from skiing?

Definitely. Japan is about much more than the slopes. We can recommend onsens, restaurants, cultural experiences, sightseeing and activities for rest days or non-skiers.

COMPLETE HOLIDAY PLANNING

Can The Great Out Tours plan our entire Japan ski holiday?

Yes! Our Complete Holiday Planning service is designed for exactly that. We can help build your itinerary around resorts, accommodation, transport, equipment, lift passes, lessons, guiding, restaurants, onsens and other experiences.

Do we have to spend our entire holiday skiing?

Not at all. We can combine mountain days with Tokyo, cultural experiences, sightseeing, food, onsens and rest days to create a much more rounded Japan adventure.

Can you plan trips for non-skiers too?

Yes. If some members of your group don’t ski, we can incorporate alternative activities and experiences so everyone gets something memorable from the holiday.

Can you organise a trip across several parts of Japan?

Yes. Tell us where you’d like to visit or simply what you’d like to experience and we can help build a realistic itinerary that balances adventure with travel time.

I don't know where in Japan I want to go. Is that a problem?

Thats not a problem! That's one of the reasons we're here. Tell us your dates, group, budget, ability and what you'd love to experience, and we'll help recommend destinations that suit you.

CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS

What is your cancellation policy?

Our cancellation terms depend on the experience and any third-party services included in your booking. Full cancellation and amendment terms will be provided before payment so you know exactly where you stand. You can also view our cancellation policy here.

What happens if the resort closes?

If mountain operations are affected by weather, lift closures or safety concerns, we'll assess the available options and communicate with you as soon as possible. Where possible, we may suggest an alternative location or itinerary.

What if someone in our group gets injured or becomes ill?

Please contact us as soon as possible. What can be changed or refunded will depend on the timing, experience booked and any third-party cancellation terms. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that includes winter sports.

PAYMENT & TRAVEL INSURANCE

How do we pay?

Payment information and deadlines will be provided when your booking is confirmed. Bespoke and Complete Holiday bookings may require staged payments depending on the services included.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers skiing or snowboarding and the activities you intend to participate in.

Is equipment damage covered?

Rental providers have their own damage and loss policies. We recommend checking the terms of your rental and ensuring your travel insurance provides suitable winter-sports cover.

STILL HAVE A QUESTION?

Every adventure is a little different, so we know you might have questions we haven't covered here.

Get in touch and tell us what you're planning. We'll be happy to help.