Tinyturns Snowstart — Hakuba Family Camp

Upcoming dates and prices

• 25 Jan 2027 – 30 Jan 2027
• 1 Feb 2027 – 6 Feb 2027
• 8 Feb 2027 – 13 Feb 2027
• 22 Feb 2027 – 27 Feb 2027
• 15 Mar 2027 – 20 Mar 2027

Frequently asked questions

My child has never seen snow. Is 5 too young?

No. Five-year-olds start on flat snow and the gentlest slope with a coach who teaches this age all season: on skis, up to two children per coach; on a snowboard, a coach just for them. Day one is snow play, not a lesson. If a child is cold or tired, they take a warm break and try again later; nobody is pushed.

What ages are the lessons for?

Children 3 to 14, counted on the first day of the trip. 7 to 14: groups of up to four per coach, ski or snowboard. 5 and 6: ski in twos, or snowboard with a coach just for them. 3 and 4: ski only, with their own coach or sharing one with a parent who skis in lessons with them. Under 3s come along without lessons and stay with a parent who isn't in lessons. Teenagers 15 to 17 can come too; message us first so we can place them with the right group.

My child is 3 or 4. Can they still learn?

Yes, on skis, with their own coach. A 3- or 4-year-old gets one ski coach to themselves for the three lesson days, with our camp manager close by, so the pace is entirely theirs. If you'd rather be in the lesson too, you can share that coach: one coach, two people, never more. It has to be a parent who skis, not an older brother or sister. Or they skip lessons and come along with a parent who isn't in lessons.

Do I have to ski or snowboard?

No. Every adult picks one of three: take ski or snowboard lessons, ride on your own without a coach, or don't ride and join the meals, evenings and the Pokémon day. The price of each is next to the family picker under Dates & prices. If your children are under 12, at least one adult must be in the lessons with them.

I've never skied or snowboarded either. Will I be fine?

Yes. Most parents on this trip are beginners. You learn in an adults' group of up to four, skiing or snowboarding, on the same gentle slopes, with your own coach. Parents and children are usually in different groups, so each group moves at its own pace.

Can a grandparent or family friend bring my child?

Yes. Each child needs one adult travelling with them, and that adult can be a grandparent, relative or family friend. The number of adults in a booking must be at least the number of children.

My child already skis or snowboards. Is this the right camp?

Probably not. This camp is for first-timers. Message us and we'll point you to the next-level camp.

How much skiing or snowboarding is there?

Three full days of lessons (Tuesday to Thursday), morning and afternoon, with lunch together in between. On Friday the whole camp skis, snowboards and plays in the snow together at the Pokémon snow resort, guided by the team and MifaMily. Monday is arrival, equipment fitting and snow play; Saturday is breakfast and home.

What will my child be able to do by the end?

Slide down a gentle slope from top to bottom on their own, in control, and start to turn. We check what each child can do on the first and last lesson day. If they haven't moved up a step, the lesson part of the price comes back to you as credit.

How big are the groups?

It depends on age. 7 to 14, and adults: up to four per coach, by ski or snowboard. 5 and 6: up to two per coach on skis, one per coach on a snowboard. 3 and 4: a coach each, or one coach for a child and their parent. Groups are by age and ability: teens with teens or with the adults, never with the little ones.

What equipment is included, and what do we bring?

For the three lesson days: skis and boots, or a snowboard, boots and bindings. Bring your own helmet, snow jacket and trousers, goggles, gloves, thermal underwear, warm layers, spare dry clothes and snacks your child likes. For Monday's snow play and Friday's Pokémon day, bring your own warm clothing and snow boots. We send a packing list by email.

How do they keep practising after the trip?

On the last lesson day the coach shows you simple exercises for your child's level that you can do together at home or at an indoor slope. Anything beyond that should wait for a coach.

Who is with my child during the day?

In lessons: their coach and our children's camp manager. At lunch: you if you're at the slopes; if not, they eat with their coach. In the evenings: our activity team, with you in the room. This is a family trip, not a drop-off camp; a parent or guardian is always on site.

What if my child is cold, tired, or just doesn't want to?

They take a warm break, rest, or play in the snow with a member of the team, then try again if they want to. If they've had enough for the day, the coach checks with you first and our camp manager takes them back to the lodge.

What happens if my child gets hurt or ill?

The coach stays with them and our camp manager calls the resort's first-aid team. If a clinic visit is needed, our manager goes with you and translates. You need travel insurance that covers skiing and snowboarding for everyone in the family; if you're in Singapore we can point you to one.

Does the Pokémon day include a lesson?

No. Friday is for skiing, snowboarding and snow play together, guided by the team and MifaMily, not a coached lesson. Entry and the bus there and back are included; lunch at the park is your own.

When do we actually see MifaMily?

Dinner with you on Monday night, drop-ins during the Tuesday lessons, all of Friday at the Pokémon resort including group photos and the last dinner. They're on every date. The coaches run the lessons; the activity team runs the evenings.

Will there be photos of my child?

The team takes photos and short clips during the week and shares them with the families. We won't post your child publicly without your permission.

Where do we meet you, and when?

Nagano Station, Exit B, by 1:00 pm on the Monday. Our bus leaves at 2:00 pm and takes about 1 hour 30 to the lodge. The exact meeting point, a map and our phone number come by email before the trip.

How do we get to Nagano?

Fly into Tokyo Haneda or Narita, then the bullet train from Tokyo Station to Nagano, about 1 hour 30. Flights and the train are yours to book. Flying in the same morning is tight with kids; most families stay a night in Tokyo first. If you'd rather go door to door, ask us for a private-car quote and we'll add it to your booking.

What time do we leave on the last day?

Our bus leaves the lodge at 11:00 am on Saturday and reaches Nagano Station about 12:30 pm. Book flights out of Tokyo from 6:00 pm, or stay a night in Tokyo.

Where do we stay, and can the family share a room?

Kurobe Sun Valley, a Japanese hot-spring lodge, all five nights. Japanese and Western rooms are included in the price; the 80 m² family suite with its own bathroom is +¥2,200 a person a night. You pick rooms at checkout.

Are meals included? What about allergies?

Breakfast and dinner at the lodge every day. Lunches on the lesson days and the Pokémon day are your own, at the slope restaurant. Children whose parents aren't at the slopes eat with their coach. Tell us about allergies and dietary needs when you book.

How does early bird work?

The first few people booked on each date get 20% off the lesson price. It's a number of places, not a deadline, and the number left is shown next to each date. A family of four uses four. Once they're gone, that date is at the regular price.

How much do I pay now?

Half at booking, the other half later; the date follows our standard booking terms, linked at checkout. Pay it all at booking and save 2%.

What if we need to cancel?

Our standard cancellation policy applies; the full text is linked at checkout. If we cancel a date, you get everything back.

What do I need to book?

Your name, email and phone, and who's coming. Passports and equipment sizes come after payment, from the link in your confirmation email, so you can book now and fill those in later.