Ski trips from Tokyo by charter bus

Where groups go

• Yuzawa area, Niigata: several ski areas reached via the Kan-etsu Expressway.
• Naeba, Niigata: a large resort area further into the mountains beyond Yuzawa.
• Karuizawa area, Nagano: ski areas reached via the Joshin-etsu Expressway, often with milder weather on the way.

Winter roads: tyres, chains and closures

Coaches running to the ski areas in winter use winter tyres and carry tyre chains. During heavy snowfall, road authorities can require chains on certain expressway and mountain sections, or close roads temporarily. That can add a lot of time, so we follow road information on the day and keep the schedule flexible.

Snow can also slow the last kilometres to a resort. If a road is closed, safety comes first: the driver decides whether to wait, take another route or turn back, and we keep you informed.

Driver hours and early departures

Ski groups like to leave before dawn and come back after the lifts close. Japanese rules on driver working time limit daily driving and duty hours and require breaks. A very early start, a full day on the slopes and a long winter drive back may not fit one driver's day; in that case the plan needs a second driver or an overnight stay. We check the timing when we quote.

Ski bags, boards and boots

• Tell us how many ski bags, snowboard bags and boot bags the group will bring, as well as suitcases for longer stays.
• A full-size coach's underfloor hold is the usual choice for skis; minibuses have little or no luggage space.
• Wet equipment and boots stay in the hold, not in the cabin.

Drive times in winter can be much longer than the typical figures above when snow, chain controls or holiday traffic occur.