ZAO ONSEN - Monster Family Tour
Experience a family-friendly ski and snowboard trip to Zao Onsen, Japan. Fully hosted tours with kid-friendly activities, snow monsters, and hot springs.
The Trip
Monster Tours ZAO ONSEN · Riders Tour + Kids Camp
7D6N - 5 days of riding
The destination that has it all for families. Wide open runs for learners, steep tree runs between the snow monsters, a lively onsen town at the foot of the mountain, and tons of family-friendly fun in Yamagata City. Stay with us in a modern ryokan located in the heart of the Zao Onsen town, surrounded by legendary onsens with 100% natural hot spring water. Each room has ensuite bathrooms.
Kids Camp:
Your kids ride on the slopes with our Snow Monster instructors from Singapore! Kids start their lessons in Singapore with a 1 Day Snow Monster Kids Camp (3 Hours). Then, on mountain lessons and fun hosting with Snow Monster instructors on the slopes of Zao Onsen Ski Resort.
Progression Tour:
Enjoy the mountain with a mix of lessons and hosted rides. Learn on the simulator in Singapore at Snow Monster, then enjoy it on the slopes.
Casual Riders Tour:
A more relaxed take on our flagship Riders Tour, open to all riders and families with kids. Enjoy a hosted experience with local riders covering riding, guiding and progression, with riding days shaped around your pace and desired intensity. Parents can ride with our hosts while the kids are at camp, then regroup for the rest of the mountain town fun.
Trip overview:
7D6N · modern ryokan rooms with ensuite toilet and bath (Private Twin (2 pax) - Option to add up to 3 futon beds per room) · 1:5 host and instructor ratio
Gallery
Itinerary
Arrival and Welcome
16:00 — Shuttle departs from Yamagata Station to hotel 17:00 — Hotel check-in & gear fitting 19:00 — Welcome dinner in Zao Onsen town 21:00 — Fire up the stoke and get to know your group
Riding Day 1 & Onsen Town
08:00 — Hotel breakfast 09:00 — On-mountain lessons / hosted riding with local riders 15:00 — Off-mountain: Explore historic hot spring town for traditional Japanese snacks, onsen and après-ski 19:00 — Dinner at nearby onsen town or hotel dinner 21:00 — Rest or après-ski with the group
Riding Day 2 & Onsen Town
08:00 — Hotel breakfast 09:00 — On-mountain lessons / hosted riding with local riders 16:00 — Pudding, matcha, coffee, and sake run in historic onsen town 17:30 — Outdoor onsen surrounded by snowy trees 19:00 — Dinner at our local favorite spot or hotel dinner 21:00 — Rest or Après-ski with the group
Riding Day 3 // Optional Sightseeing Day
08:00 — Hotel breakfast 09:00 — On-mountain lessons / hosted riding with local riders 09:00 — (Optional) Day trip to a beautiful, serene, cliffside temple. Climb 1,015 snowy steps through towering cedar forests to reach the top (Easier than Bukit Timah Hill, promise!): Prefer to take it slow? Wander the charming temple town, relax in quaint cafes, and browse the local shops. 16:00 — Coffee run, Matcha latte run, or early après-ski 19:00 — Dinner at a small mom-and-pop restaurant in small town 21:00 — Rest or après-ski with the group
Riding Day 4 & Optional half-day trip
08:00 — Hotel breakfast 09:00 — On-mountain lessons / hosted riding with local riders 12:00 — (Optional) Trip to the city for various family-friendly activities like bowling, batting cage, outdoor ice-skating ring (subject to seasonal operating days) 17:30 — Outdoor onsen surrounded by snowy trees 19:00 — Dinner at a family-friendly local restaurant 21:00 — Rest or après-ski with the group
Riding Day 5 & Explore the City
08:00 — Hotel breakfast 09:00 — On-mountain lessons / hosted riding with local riders 15:00 — Off mountain: onsen and explore the city. Get sourvenirs for your loved ones back home. 19:00 — Dinner in the city 21:00 — Rest or après-ski with the group
Farewell and See You Again Soon
08:00 — Hotel breakfast & check-out 10:00 — Check-out & shuttle back to Yamagata Station
Snow & weather
Getting there
Allow ~6 hours from the Tokyo airports to Yamagata Station. Take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata Station, then our private cars will pick you up at 4:00 PM. Land by mid-morning to comfortably make the afternoon pickup.
Travellers from outside Asia-Pacific should arrive a day early to shake off jet lag before the first ride day.
The private charter leaves the hotel at 10:00 AM and reaches Yamagata Station around 11:00 AM. Please arrange onward travel from there — we do not transfer to the airport.
Common questions
Are skiers welcome?
Yes. Skiers are welcome on every tour, and Rey is a dedicated full-time ski host living in Japan for the riders who prefer two planks.
What levels are catered for?
From never-ever beginners (with integrated simulator-to-slope lessons at Snow Monster) through to expert backcountry riders. Each week is set up for specific levels — check the tour title.
Where do the shuttles run from?
We run return shuttles from Yamagata Station.
How big are the groups?
Small and intimate — a maximum of 20 guests per week with a 1:5 host ratio, so you actually get to explore our home mountain the way we do.