Everything I've packed for a snow holiday in Japan
Minimalist packers look away!
I learned to ski in New Zealand when I was a teenager, went on a few ski trips in my early 20s, including a tequila-fuelled Contiki trip to NZ and an old-school radio station bus trip to Jindabyne. Ahh, what a time to be stay alive. Point being, until seven years ago at the age of 51, I hadn’t been back on skis for almost 30 years.
What could go wrong, I contemplated while adding on a bazillion layers of clothing and buckling myself into ski boots before meeting the instructor who had the honours of helping me find my ski legs again. He did help with that, yes, but what he’ll most remember me for is being the grown woman he had to rescue because instead of dismounting I’d somehow gotten my butt cheek wedged in the arm rest of the chairlift as it was making its downhill turn. Let’s call my hero Matt because that’s his real name and he’s still an instructor at Hakuba in Japan where the incident happened. Matt literally had to yank me down to the ground, which prevented me from heading back down the mountain upside down like clothes pegged to a washing line.
It didn’t stop me from heading out of the slopes for the rest of that two-week snow holiday (we went on to Nozawa Onsen after Hakuba) and we’ve been on two snow trips since then. This week we head back to Nozawa Onsen for the third time, our first time outside of the peak school holidays time but still within the Japanese ski season, which officially ends on February 28 but many resorts stay open through March.
The snow is still falling. There is an deep base of snow on the mountain and I’m excited to get back to my fave Paradise run. I kid you not, that’s what this green run is called. It’s longish, wide, has stunning views across the valley and to the right you can stop at one of the restaurants for everything from traditional Japanese food to a parmi and a mulled wine. It IS paradise! I’m not chasing the adrenaline rush of a black run. That’s not my style. I’m aiming to stay injury-free (did I mention I fractured my wrist hour one of day one last trip? Oops) and settle in to the mediative feeling that I feel when gliding down the slopes.
What I pack for each trip I does attract a lot of attention - from those who like options like me and those who I call The Packing Police who like to vocally judge me for how much I choose to travel with.
Judge away I say. I’ll keep on being me. As I said when I packed for a trip to Europe last November, packing is not a competition. What you choose to pack and what you don’t is a personal choice.
What I do set out personally to achieve every time I travel is curate a considered travel wardrobe that, yes, will never be carry-on only simply because I love the theatre of Holiday Theme Dressing.
For each trip, I follow these tried, tested and true tips for packing for any destination at any time of year. Whether you fall into either the maximalist or minimalist packing camps, these tips still apply.
Most items I’ve packed are linked HERE.
My suitcases are from HERE - click for a pop up site-wide discount (but secret squirrel, you might want to wait as I’m trialling a new styles being released very soon SHHH).
Want more? I go into more detail for paid subscribers below. I share:
What makes packing for a snow holiday different from a regular winter holiday
My packing list
Why I’ve packed what I’ve packed for a Japan snow holiday
Tips for buying clothes and accessories for opposite season travel
Tips for buying high-end snow gear for less
Why what shoes you pack are crucial
