Snow Squad Japan
March 1-8, 2027 · Niseko, Hokkaido · 30 Squaders
This is that Japan Ski Trip that actually gets out the group chat
This one's smaller. Fewer strangers, tighter squad, same TTS energy.
Niseko gets some of the deepest, lightest powder on the planet
The Powder Trip
- 7 nights and 8 days in Niseko, Hokkaido, your basecamp for 4 interconnected world class resorts
- 29 other riders to ski with in small groups
- Ski day transport included
- A smaller crew, so you actually get to know everyone
- Community social nights, so you're connected from Day 1
- Optional authentic Japanese onsen excursions
- Grand Hirafu village izakaya and food truck nights
- Night skiing sessions under the floodlights
- Full mountain resort tours across Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupuri
- Team challenges and award ceremonies
The views we'll be chasing as a squad
The Week
An example of how the week runs. Some details may change closer to the trip.
Arrivals
Land at New Chitose, grab your bags and make your way across to Niseko. We'll be there when you arrive to get you checked in and settled. Simple night tonight. Drop your bags, meet your roommate. In the evening we host a welcome evening with icebreaker games to get you chatting. Then take the night as you please. Drinks if you fancy it, early night if you want those first lifts.
Grand Hirafu
First day on the slopes. Grand Hirafu is the closest resort to us and the biggest. No transport needed, we're within touching distance, so head out at your own pace. Plenty of bars and restaurants at the bottom of the slopes, so we'll host a lunch meet. Tonight, team competitions and some not embarrassing games to win prizes. After that the night is yours.
Annupuri
We'll arrange cars to take the squad out to Annupuri this morning, so you're not battling for the early shuttles. The resorts connect at the top, so if you loved lunch at Grand Hirafu you can ski back over. Tonight it's bar crawl night. Rep your team outfit and complete challenges for prizes along the way.
Niseko Village
Transport ready again this morning. Another lunch meet at Grand Hirafu for anyone wanting to grab a bite. It's been a busy week so far, so tonight we dial it back. Recover your legs, explore the local area, or join us for a group dinner. Completely up to you.
Hanazono
The final and most challenging resort in Niseko. We figured we'd let you warm up first. Hanazono is one of the closer ones, so hop on the local shuttle in the morning and let's burn some thigh muscles. Tonight, bingo. It's more fun than it sounds. Just don't shout bingo unless you're absolutely certain.
Free Ski and Scavenger Hunt
Now it's your turn. Jump on the local shuttle and head to whichever resort takes your fancy. It's also scavenger hunt day, we'll give you things to find around Niseko and there are prizes for the most tasks completed. Food trucks in the evening, then night skiing under the floodlights if you fancy it.
Free Ski and Farewell
Last day on the slopes, make the most of it. One final lunch meet in Grand Hirafu. Tonight we honour the week with an awards ceremony and a farewell party. You did it. You went to Japan. Set an alarm if you're on an early flight.
Your Niseko Hotel
- 3* hotel
- 4 minutes from Grand Hirafu
- Gym and restaurant
Our hotel sits right in the heart of Niseko, a 4 minute drive from Grand Hirafu, the nearest and biggest resort in the area. Every room is a twin room. You won't spend much time here but it's a cosy place to rest your head, with plenty of amenities including a gym and a restaurant.
Beyond the slopes
Niseko has plenty going on off the mountain. None of it is included in the price, but tell us what you fancy and we'll help you get it booked.
- Onsen
- Night skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
The Details
£199
to book on
That's all you need to book. You're on the trip, in the confirmed group chat, and on the payment plan.
£1,550
full trip price, per person
£1,250
if you already have an Ikon pass
Spread the cost with a simple monthly plan. Pick whichever price applies to you.
Without Ikon Pass
- £199 depositSeptember
- £285.70October
- £285.70November
- £285.70December
- £285.70January
- £285.70, balance clearedFebruary
With Ikon Pass
- £199 depositSeptember
- £222.70October
- £222.70November
- £222.70December
- £222.70January
- £222.70, balance clearedFebruary
Paying monthly adds a 5% fee, already included in the amounts above.
Included
- 7 nights accommodation in Niseko
- Transport to Niseko Village and Annupuri on ski days
- Community social nights and icebreakers
- Team challenges and award ceremonies
- Full mountain resort tours
We're still waiting on exact pricing for this year as suppliers haven't released official prices yet. Don't worry, you don't need to book these at launch, we can add them on later down the line. To give you a rough idea, here's what these cost last year. Expect a very small inflation increase.
- Airport transfers: New Chitose to Niseko, price to be confirmed when add ons are released.
- Equipment rental: Roughly £120 for 7 days.
Lessons and other add ons, prices to be confirmed.
Once all add on prices are confirmed, we'll reach out with a link to add these on if you need them.
You'll fly into New Chitose Airport, then travel across to Niseko. We offer airport transfers as an add on, so you don't need to sort this yourself.
Once you're in Niseko, we run ski day transport to Niseko Village and Annupuri. Grand Hirafu and Hanazono are a short local shuttle ride away. None of it is compulsory, so ride where you want and travel with us on the days you fancy it.
You'll be required to pay a refundable £75 damage deposit, either with your final instalment or upfront if you choose to pay in full. This is held to cover any damage to the accommodation during your stay.
As long as nothing is damaged and your room is left clean on departure, the deposit will be fully refunded after the trip.
To receive your refund, you'll simply need to email us after the trip with your booking reference. Once confirmed, we'll process the refund via manual bank transfer.
Please note that if the room is not left in an acceptable condition or damage is reported, part or all of the deposit may be withheld.
Book Your Spot
Bookings open
Tickets are on sale now. First come, first served.
Book NowJapan is a riding trip. We expect everyone to be comfortable on skis or a board already, there won't be much time for lessons or catching up. If you're still finding your feet, or you want a more affordable week, Snow Squad Les Arcs is the one for you.
FAQs
What is The Travel Squad?
We're a travel community that builds group trips for people who want to meet new people. Strangers book on their own, travel together, and go home with a group chat full of people they'll travel with again. That's the whole idea. Five years, thousands of travellers, and most of them came on their own the first time.
How does the ticket drop work?
Everyone joins the group chat before launch. When the countdown hits zero the booking link drops in there, first come first served. These sell out on launch day, so be ready.
Once you've booked you'll get a confirmation email with an invite to the confirmed group chat. That's where you meet everyone, swap socials and sort rooms and transfers in the months before you go. You'll also get a link in there to add on extras whenever you're ready.
Are flights included?
No. International flights aren't included and need to be booked separately. You'll want to land at New Chitose Airport in Sapporo. We have members flying in from all over the world, and we like keeping trips open ended for people carrying on their travels afterwards.
What's the average age?
Our community is 18 to 35, with most people between 24 and 35. Minimum age is 18. We've had plenty of people outside that bracket join and love it.
I'm coming on my own, is that weird?
No, it's not weird at all, this is exactly the point of these trips. Once you're confirmed we'll send you a link to the group chat, so keep an eye out for it, you're not added automatically. From there you'll connect, swap socials and get to know people before heading out. Everyone here is a stranger at some stage of their TTS journey.
Can I book with a friend?
Tickets are limited to 1 person per booking. TTS was built to help solo travellers meet people, so the ticket system isn't designed for groups. Make sure your friend is ready to book at the same time.
Do I need travel insurance?
We highly recommend comprehensive cover for cancellation, personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation and loss of property. Make sure it specifically covers skiing and snowboarding, as not all insurers do, and check whether it covers you off the marked runs. We'll send you a recommended provider in your confirmation email.
How do room allocations work?
About a month before the trip we send out a questionnaire so we can match you with like minded people. You can request to share with someone specific. Girls are allocated with girls and boys with boys unless you request otherwise as a couple, which may mean a mixed gender room. We'll connect you with your room buddy by email beforehand. We do our best with requests but can't guarantee everything.
How do I make changes to my booking?
Email support@thetravelsquad.com and the team will sort it out.
What happens after I book?
You'll get a confirmation email with everything you need, including the link to your confirmed group chat. That's different from the Ticket Launch chat the buttons on this page point you to, and it's only for people who've booked. It's where most people start chatting, swap socials and make friends in the months before the trip. You'll also get a link in there to add on transfers, lessons and equipment whenever you're ready.
How good do I need to be?
Japan is a riding trip. We're covering four resorts in a week and moving at pace, so you'll get the most out of it if you're already comfortable on skis or a board. There won't be much time for lessons or catching up. If you're a beginner, we'd point you at Snow Squad Les Arcs instead, it's built for that.
I don't have my own ski or snowboard equipment.
Neither do most people. Rental is easy to sort in Niseko and you don't need it at launch. We'll point you at the shops closer to the trip.
What if I need to cancel?
Your £199 deposit goes directly to the hotel to hold your spot and we can't get that back, so that part isn't refundable. Anything you've paid beyond that is refundable up until certain dates closer to the trip, after which it's gone to suppliers on the ground and out of our hands.
The exact dates and amounts are in our booking terms.