Japanese for a Ski Trip to Japan: Lift Passes, Rentals, Safety Signs and Onsen
You can enjoy a ski trip to Japan with very little Japanese, especially at big international resorts, but a few dozen words make the trip easier and safer. Learn the words for lift tickets, rentals and sizes, the signs that mark closed and off-piste areas, and the basics of onsen etiquette for after the slopes. Outside the best-known resorts, staff may speak little English, so those phrases help most when you stay somewhere smaller or travel between towns.
Words you will see at the resort
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| スキー場 | sukījō | Ski resort, ski area |
| ゲレンデ | gerende | The slopes (from German) |
| リフト券 | rifuto-ken | Lift ticket, lift pass |
| ゴンドラ | gondora | Gondola |
| 初級・中級・上級 | shokyū, chūkyū, jōkyū | Beginner, intermediate, advanced (course grades) |
| コース外 | kōsu-gai | Outside the marked runs |
| 立入禁止 | tachiiri kinshi | No entry |
| 滑走禁止 | kassō kinshi | No skiing or snowboarding here |
| 雪崩 | nadare | Avalanche |
| 運休 | unkyū | Not running (a lift closed for wind, for example) |
Take the safety words seriously. Rules on going outside the marked runs differ between resorts, and some areas are closed for avalanche risk. If you see 立入禁止 or a rope across a run, don’t cross it.
Buying passes and renting gear
- 1日券を大人2枚お願いします。 (Ichinichi-ken o otona nimai onegaishimasu.) “Two adult one-day passes, please.”
- レンタルをお願いしたいです。 (Rentaru o onegai shitai desu.) “I’d like to rent equipment.”
- ブーツのサイズは27センチです。 (Būtsu no saizu wa nijūnana senchi desu.) “My boot size is 27 cm.” Japan measures shoes and ski boots in centimetres, so check your size before you go.
- スノーボードを借りたいです。 (Sunōbōdo o karitai desu.) “I want to rent a snowboard.”
- 初心者でも大丈夫なコースはどこですか。 (Shoshinsha demo daijōbu na kōsu wa doko desu ka?) “Which runs are OK for beginners?”
For numbers and counters such as 枚 for tickets, see Japanese numbers and counters.
On the mountain
- リフトは何時までですか。 (Rifuto wa nanji made desu ka?) “Until what time do the lifts run?”
- ナイターはありますか。 (Naitā wa arimasu ka?) “Is there night skiing?”
- けがをしました。助けてください。 (Kega o shimashita. Tasukete kudasai.) “I’m injured. Please help.” Ski patrol is パトロール (patorōru).
In an emergency anywhere in Japan, call 119 for an ambulance. Our guide to Japanese for emergencies has more phrases.
After skiing: the onsen
Many ski towns have hot springs, and an onsen after a day on the slopes is one of the best parts of the trip. The basics: wash thoroughly at the showers before getting in, don’t put your towel in the water and keep quiet. Some onsen still refuse guests with tattoos, while others allow them or offer cover stickers or private baths. Check before you go. Our guide to ryokan and onsen etiquette covers it in full.
Getting there
Ski trips often mean long train and bus journeys, sometimes with luggage and boards. A luggage delivery service, 宅急便 (takkyūbin), can send your bags or skis from the airport to your hotel. See Japanese for trains and getting around for station phrases.
Common questions
Do I need Japanese to ski in Japan?
Not at the best-known international resorts, where many staff speak English. At smaller resorts and in local restaurants, basic Japanese helps a lot.
When is the ski season?
Roughly December to March or April, depending on the region and the snow. Check each resort’s dates.
Can I take ski lessons in English?
Many larger resorts have English-speaking ski schools. Book early in peak season.
If you want to learn some Japanese before your ski trip, our online Japanese tutors can teach you the phrases you will use, in a few short lessons. See also learning Japanese before a trip.