FAQ - NISEKO

BOOKINGS & CANCELLATIONS TERMS

Yes, full payment is required to confirm your booking with us.

> 30 days before trip date: Free cancellation, full refund

15-29 days before trip date: 50% cancellation fee, 50% refund

0-14 days before trip date: 100% cancellation fee, no refund

For all cancellations, a SGD 75 processing fee (per person) will be required.

Refunds will be provided to you on a pro-rated basis ONLY in the event of the following unforeseen cases:

  • Travel bans from Singapore into the destination country ordered by government authorities
  • Travel bans from destination country into Singapore ordered by government authorities
  • Mandatory closure of entire ski resort area.

If such an event occurs, a pro-rated reimbursement will be provided for services already paid for, that you have been unable to obtain or use. This is subject to the condition that the booking was made prior to the officially imposed travel restrictions.

Refunds will NOT be provided to you in the event of the following cases, including but not limited to:

  • In the event you get Covid-19, prior, during or after the trip.
  • Government advisories to limit travel
  • Failure to secure preferred flights
  • Personal disinclination to travel
  • Extension of quarantine regulations
  • Other personal matters

If any of the above events occur, general trip cancellation terms will apply.

To ensure you are fully covered in any unforeseen events, we recommend purchasing a comprehensive Covid-19 travel insurance to cover you for the duration of the trip.

COVID-19 CONCERNS & TESTING REQUIREMENTS

From 7 September 2022, travellers from countries in the Group Blue including Singapore will not be required on-arrival test and isolation at their residence or self-secured accommodation.

Click here for more details.



For a smooth, quarantine free entry into Singapore, travellers must meet the following requirements:

  • Be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, at least 14 days prior to arrival in Singapore.

COVID Testing Process Overview

Prior to departure to Japan

(i) No testing required

(ii) Proof of vaccination not required; for Singapore residents and countries within blue group.

(iii) Proof of vaccination required for residents in red & yellow group.

Prior to departure back to Singapore

(i) Proof of vaccination 

To facilitate verification by the relevant authorities, travellers from Singapore can use Notarise to digitally authenticate and endorse the pre-departure test and/or vaccination certificates.

https://www.notarise.gov.sg/

Yes, we strictly require all guests to purchase a Covid-19 travel insurance that covers the full duration of the trip.

Here are some options for your considerations: Travel Insurance Plans with Covid-19 Coverage

In the event you feel unwell or show Covid-19 symptoms during the trip, please proceed to take an ART swab test immediately. All persons sharing the same room/apartment as you will also be required to take an ART test. While waiting for the results, please take the necessary precautions to safe distance yourself from the rest of the group.

In the event an ART test is positive, please make it known to an official member of staff. Arrangements will be made for you to shift to a separate room. The others sharing the same apartment who test negative can continue on for the rest of the trip. 

Important: Please note that costs associated with Covid tests, quarantine stays and changes in flights will be fully borne by the traveller. To ensure you are fully covered in any unforeseen circumstances, we highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive Covid-19 travel insurance to cover you for the duration of the trip.

GENERAL ENQUIRIES BEFORE BOOKING YOUR TRIP

GENERAL TRIP DETAILS

Yes, a minimum age of 18yrs is required if you are joining our trips alone.

Yes, all trip dates are fixed and bookings will follow the specified dates strictly. Amendments to trip dates will not be permitted.

Yes, to stay with us 2 weeks in a row, simply make a booking for 2 trips. We know 1 week might not be enough to satisfy your powder cravings.

While we would love to share the stoke and show as many as we can around the ski resorts of Niseko, we will not be able to allow others to tag along with us on the slopes. This is to ensure the best experience to all paying guests. The Ride Side’s hosted and guided sessions around the slopes are the most valuable part of our trip experience and what our customers are paying for. We need to ensure we keep to a good guide to guest ratio for safe and fun time on the mountain.

If you are looking to be shown around the slopes with a fun group of like-minded individuals, simply book the trip with us and come along for the ride!

FLIGHTS & AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Each traveller is responsible for their own flight bookings and you may book flights based on your own preferences. For our Niseko trips, all flights will be made to New Chitose Airport (CTS).

  • Please take note of the airport shuttle schedule to and from New Chitose Airport. (Details in next point below)

You should plan your flight arrival and departure timings to best match these.

ARRIVAL

Airport Shuttle Pick-up schedule*:

  • Shuttle Departure:
    • 3PM (CTS – Niseko)
    • 4PM (Sapporo Station – Niseko)

*Shuttle timings subjected to change based on available flight schedules. If you require shuttles outside this timing, you may let us know to make alternative arrangements

  • Shuttle Duration: Approx 3hrs
  • Flight recommendation: 
    • To arrive at New Chitose Airport by 2pm

DEPARTURE

Airport Shuttle Pick-up schedule*:

  • Shuttle 1: 8AM (Niseko – Sapporo/ New Chitose Airport)

*Shuttle timings subjected to change based on available flight schedules. If you require shuttles outside this timing, you may let us know to make alternative arrangements

  • Shuttle Duration: Approx 3hrs
  • Flight recommendation:
    • To depart New Chitose Airport after 1pm

GEAR RENTAL & LESSONS

Rentals are not included in the package price. You will be given the option to book them before your trip based on what you require. 

Please see full equipment rental prices here.

If you are unsure of your size, please leave an indicative size to the best of your knowledge, our team will help you with recommendations and fitting services on the ground.

IMPORTANT:

Personal gear such as Goggles, Facemasks, & Gloves are not available for rental. It is recommended to purchase them prior to the trip if you do not have them. These items are available to purchase at The Ride Side in Singapore at your convenience.

Directions to :The Ride Side Snowboard Shop

Yes you may! You will be given the option to book additional lessons before your trip based on your requirements, subject to availability. Please see full lesson prices here

ACCOMMODATION

Yes you may! This trip is designed for solo travellers to meet other like minded travellers and about 50% of our customers come as solo travellers. Simply book your trip and leave the rest of the planning to us. Once you reach your destination, you will meet the rest of the group that you will be spending the rest of the week with.

We have 2 options for you to book if you are travelling solo:

  1. Single bed in a twin share room

You will share the room with another solo traveller. We will make arrangements to group travellers of the same gender together in the same room. In the event we are unable to do so, we will inform you of the rooming situation to find the most comfortable arrangement for you.

2. Private room for 1 person

If you prefer privacy, you have the option to book a private room to yourself.

Yes you may put in a request for a female only room. If you are looking to book a twin share room and would prefer an all-female room, please leave a note in the comments field of your booking form. Our team will get back to you with a confirmation on the arrangement as soon as we can.

The 2 programmes will be running concurrently with each other, with all participants of both programmes in the same accommodation apartment. This allows you to join us as a group of family or friends with different skill levels, while still joining in a programme most suited to your skill level. You will be together each day and only split up during the daily programme lessons and guiding.

MEAL ARRANGEMENTS

All meals will be settled by each individual.

Breakfast

(i) Treat yourself to breakfast by the slopes at Niseko’s many cafes

(ii) If you are a light eater in the morning, prepare a simple breakfast in your lodge’s fully equipped kitchen. Convenience stores & express supermarkets are conveniently located close to the accommodation for you to get all your grocery needs.

Lunch

(i) Cafes and restaurants are scattered all around Niseko’s base and around the mountain. Have your pick between a quick take away bento to maximise your time on the slopes, or have a hearty Japanese meal in a restaurant as you watch the snow fall over a warm cup of coffee.

Dinner

(i) Within a 3 mins drive from our accommodation, you’ll find highly rated restaurants of both international or Japanese cuisine. You’ll be spoilt for choice and will even be able to try a different restaurant each night.

(ii) For those who prefer a homely touch, you may make full use of the lodge’s fully equipped kitchen and cook yourself a nice meal to share with your family, friends and even new house mates!

Yes, within a 3 mins drive of our accommodation, you’ll find a long list of highly rated cafes, restaurants and bars, both international and local.

Yes, a variety of convenience stores & express supermarkets are conveniently located close to the accommodation for you to get all your grocery needs.

TRIP PROGRAMMING

NISEKO EXPERIENCE

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • 2 way airport transfers
  • Daily transport to up to 5 ski areas in Niseko + Rusutsu
  • Daily [AM] mountain guiding
  • Japan travel permit & VISA application
  • Flights
  • Lift tickets
  • Equipment rental
  • Lessons
  • Food & personal expenses
  • Travel Insurance

Why are lift tickets not included?

Lift tickets are not included as we will be taking the group to explore a variety of ski slopes around the Niseko area, these include Grand Hirafu, Annupuri, Niseko Village, Hanazono, Moiwa and Rusutsu. In order the show you the best of each resort, our guides on the ground will monitor the weather each day and will decide which ski area to take you to for the best experience. Due to this, we will have a flexible itinerary and will not be able to pre-book lift tickets. 

 

As such, we will take you to the resorts each day to purchase daily lift tickets. In turn, this will allow you to save more as you can select the ski duration each day and even take rest days if preferred.

Yes, beginners are welcome to join the Niseko experience. We recommend that you are, at the very minimum, comfortable making turns down a green slope. However, please do note that for our daily guiding sessions, we will aim to take the group to explore all around the resort. This means that there will be some intermediate level (red) terrain that we will have to go through. Depending on your skill level and ability, there might be certain guiding sessions where you might not be able to join in. Your guide for the day will advise you on the difficulty level of the routes and will let you know if your ability will be suitable for the session.

If you are still new to snowboarding, we highly recommend you join the Niseko beginner snowboard camp. In this camp, you will have a group of riders with similar ability to learn with and explore the mountain with throughout the week. You will also be able to fully enjoy your time in Niseko as your instructor will take you to gentler, more suitable terrain to learn and progress on. These reasons will make your trip a lot more enjoyable and fruitful for you. You will still be able to hang out with the others in the Niseko experience after lessons or anytime off the slopes

Throughout each week, you will meet skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels within the group. They range from beginners all the way to seasoned advanced riders. Regardless of your skill level, you’d be sure to find a group similar to yours to explore the incredible terrain of Niseko together.

The only exception to this would be if you are a complete first timer or new beginner still figuring out your S-turns. If you fall into this category, we highly recommend you join in the Niseko beginner snowboard camp. In this camp, you will have a group of riders with similar ability to learn with and explore the mountain with throughout the week. You will also be able to fully enjoy your time in Niseko as your instructor will take you to gentler, more suitable terrain to learn and progress on. These reasons will make your trip a lot more enjoyable and fruitful for you.

Each morning, the TRS team will set meeting points to meet up and to take your around selected ski resort. Each day will be a different route to show you as much of the resort as we can throughout the week. The group will also be split up according to skill levels to ensure everyone explores terrain suitable to their ability and to ensure everyone gets more riding with less waiting!

If you are an intermediate to advanced level rider, you will be able to explore majority of the mountain. For beginners, your exploration might be limited to your proficiency on the slopes. Do ask your guide on the suitability of the day’s terrain and skill level.

There will be up to 5 days of mountain guiding per week. Each session will be a half day morning session from 9am -12pm.

The daily guiding sessions are not compulsory to join in and you may choose to explore the resort on your own. There are no obligations to stay with the group for the entire trip.

NISEKO BEGINNER SNOWBOARD CAMP

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • 2 way airport transfers
  • 4 day beginner snowboard lesson programme (2 full day + 2 half day)
  • Off slopes snowboard theory session
  • Japan travel permit & VISA application
  • Flights
  • Lift tickets
  • Equipment rental
  • Food & personal expenses
  • Travel Insurance

Why are lift tickets not included?

Lift tickets are not included as we will be taking the group to explore a variety of ski slopes around the Niseko area, these include Grand Hirafu, Annupuri, Niseko Village, Hanazono, Moiwa and Rusutsu. In order the show you the best of each resort, our guides on the ground will monitor the weather each day and will decide which ski area to take you to for the best experience. Due to this, we will have a flexible itinerary and will not be able to pre-book lift tickets. 

As such, we will take you to the resorts each day to purchase daily lift tickets. In turn, this will allow you to save more as you can select the ski duration each day and even take rest days if preferred.

Each class will have a maximum of 6 students per instructor. Instructors may shift students between class based on each individual’s progress to ensure similar ability levels in each class. This will help student confidence and create an environment for effective learning.

Throughout the beginner camp, you will learn all the basics of snowboarding – this includes basic snowboard gear knowledge, taking the chairlift safely, all the way to making turns down a beginner slope.

The first 2 days are always the most challenging and from here on out, you’ll see improvements and progression a lot quicker. You will start to really understand the movements and techniques required and this is when you will really start to enjoy snowboarding and understand why so many are addicted to it.

For those progress quickly, your instructor will bring you to explore steeper terrain and you’ll get to see the different terrain features of the resort. You’ll be amazed at the vastness of this amazing resort and understand why we head back here year after year.

Each morning, the TRS team will set meeting points to meet up and to take your around selected ski resort. Each day will be a different route to show you as much of the resort as we can throughout the week. The group will also be split up according to skill levels to ensure everyone explores terrain suitable to their ability and to ensure everyone gets more riding with less waiting!

If you are an intermediate to advanced level rider, you will be able to explore majority of the mountain. For beginners, your exploration might be limited to your proficiency on the slopes. Do ask your guide on the suitability of the day’s terrain and skill level.

There will be up to 5 days of mountain guiding per week for the Niseko Experience. Each session will be a half day morning session from 9am -12pm.

You will have the option to join in the group’s mountain orientation during your free & easy days.

The daily guiding sessions are not compulsory to join in and you may choose to explore the resort on your own. There are no obligations to stay with the group for the entire trip.

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