SPA DAYS · SNOW
Good snow spa days fill their slots weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 4 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Join an English-speaking mountain leader, such as Velko, Daniel, Alex, or Kiril, for a 2.5-hour snowshoe walk above Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains. Ride a chairlift to 2,150 meters, see frozen alpine lakes, then warm up in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools.
“Loved the activity. Sadly weather conditions meant we couldn’t go to the second lake but it was still so fun regardless !”
Start with Sofia hotel pickup and a private transfer to the Rila Mountains. With a certified English-speaking mountain leader, snowshoes, and poles, you’ll hike about 2.5 hours above the tree line, then soak in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools.
“O passeio não aconteceu pois o teleferico que nos levaria aos lagos estava fechado em virtude dos fortes ventos. Faltou atitude da empresa/guia, de obter informações sobre o tempo no local . Viajamos por horas, perdemos nosso dia. depois vimos que já estava sendo divulgado localmente que não era recomendado o passeio e não fomos avisados. Na minha opinião todo o valor pago deveria ser devolvido.”
Walk through quiet, deep snow at 1,000 meters in Daisetsuzan National Park with a local guide such as Ikki. Small groups, hotel or station pickup, snowshoes, winter gear, and a stop at Hakuginso Onsen make this a strong choice for a non-skiing day in Furano. Onsen entry costs ¥700 extra.
“Great winter activity that’s not snowboarding/skiing! Beautiful landscape that was taken in at a leisurely pace. Would absolutely recommend doing the Onsen afterwards, great way to warm up after walking around in the snow. Our guide Ikki was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area”
Meet your guide at Tokyo Station for a bus ride to Yeti Ski Resort at 1,400 meters. Spend up to four hours on beginner-friendly slopes with Mt. Fuji views, then choose a Fuji-view onsen or alternate Gotemba stop before returning to Tokyo. Guides speak English, Chinese, and Japanese.
“For a first ski trip this was a very beginner friendly parcours and everything went as planned. We also got a introduction to the history of the mountain by our tour guide Wanting and got to try shopping or spa at Gotemba afterwards”
Pick a treatment, or the country that does it best.
