🔰 Beginner's Guide: A Comprehensive Look at Hokkaido Ski Gear | Preparing for Your First Ski Trip, Choosing Between Snowboard and Skis

A: 裝備是你在雪上安全和舒適的關鍵。如果裝備不合適，你會感到不舒服、容易受傷，甚至無法享受滑雪樂趣。

For first-time skiers planning a trip to Hokkaido, one of the biggest questions is: What ski equipment do I need to prepare?

Many people think they need to buy a complete set of equipment first, and as a result, they end up lugging heavy bags to Japan, which is not only troublesome but also potentially a waste of money. In fact, there's no need to be so anxious – ski equipment can be broadly divided into two main categories:

🏂 RentableMost ski resorts or rental shops offer them, which are very suitable for beginners, so there's no need to rush to buy.
🧤 Items to bringFor equipment that is inconvenient to rent, or that involves hygiene, comfort, and safety, it is recommended that you prepare your own.

The editor has compiled a complete guide for everyone this time. Beginner Ski Equipment Checklistand will share Snowboard vs skis: how to choose The key points. Hope this helps you avoid common beginner pitfalls and easily enjoy Hokkaido's most magical powder snow! ❄️

I. Equipment available for hire 🎿

For those skiing for the first time, most equipment can be hired at the ski resort; in particular, most ski resorts in Hokkaido (such as Teine, KIRORO, Rusutsu and Sapporo International) offer comprehensive hire services.

Equipment for Beginners Renting is enough：

Skis (twin-tip skis)Skiing / Snowboard🏂)
Double skis offer greater stability, making it easier to learn how to turn and slow down. If you’re a first-time skier, double skis are usually the safer option.
Snowboarding is a bit trickier than skiing when you’re just starting out, but it’s great fun once you’ve got the hang of it. If you want to look cool in photos, snowboarding is the go-to choice for many people.

2. Bindings

This is a key component that connects the snowshoes to the skis; it has already been fitted by the staff when you hire the equipment.
Beginners do not need to go to any special lengths to choose one.

3. Ski poles (for alpine skiing only)
Essential for alpine skiers; helps maintain balance. Not required for snowboarders.

4. Snow boots🥾
雪靴These need to be paired with skis (whether snowboards or alpine skis); staff will help you adjust the bindings when you hire them. Beginners do not need to buy their own, as the boots are bulky and inconvenient to take abroad.

Comfort determines the quality of your day.
The important thing is that they ‘fit properly’: they mustn’t be too loose, nor should they squeeze the top of the foot.
Rental Tips: When trying them on, wear your own ski socks and take a few steps to make sure there are no pressure points.

5. Ski suit (jacket + ski trousers) 🧥👖
We recommend hiring ski wear, as professional ski suits are waterproof, warm and windproof. If you do not have a ski suit, we do not recommend using a standard down jacket as a substitute, as snow can easily get in and it can become damp.

Rental Tips: Snow jackets should not be too tight; comfort should be the top priority. Snow trousers: They can be deepSquat down to check if it fits.

6. Helmet 🪖
Highly recommended for beginners to wear, safety first.Safer than simply wearing a woollen hatMost ski resorts offer helmet rentals for a small fee (some even offer them for free), so be sure to wear one.
Note: Snoway Academy’s courses require students toWear them during lessons.

Rental Tips: Just like a cycling helmet, it should fit the shape of your head, and the strap should sit snugly under your chin. Ski helmets usually have a BOA system at the back for fine-tuning the fit.

7. Snow Goggles

Ski goggles are available for hire (depending on the ski resort), but they are prone to scratches, fogging or hygiene concerns.
Ski goggles prevent snow blindness and protect your eyes, so be sure to hire a pair.
A quick reminder: If you plan to go skiing regularly in the future, a pair of ski goggles is the first piece of kit well worth buying.

2. 🎒 Essential personal equipment (related to comfort and hygiene)

有些裝備雖然雪場也可能租得到，亦有因為「衛生」的原因，雪場未必能夠租借，必須購買或自己準備。

1. 吸濕排汗內衣（Base Layer）

雪場活動量大，新手跌倒更多，一定會流汗。
棉質衣服會吸水，結果全身冰冷。
建議：選擇快乾材質，如 UNIQLO HEATTECH 或運動品牌的保暖內衣。

2. 中層保暖衣（Mid Layer）

洋蔥式穿搭最實用：外套＋中層＋內衣。
中層可以是刷毛衣、羽絨背心，依溫度調整。
建議：因天氣情況決定中層，並不是每一天都需要。
可以到 UNIQLO 或Workman 購買，經濟實惠。

3. 雪襪

一定要穿「長筒」＋「快乾材質」的雪襪。
太厚會擠壓腳，太薄容易磨腳。
貼心提醒：不要穿兩層襪子，反而更容易磨破。

4. 防水手套

千萬不要用毛線手套，一沾雪就變冰塊。
自備手套比較乾淨，尤其冬天容易流汗。
貼心提醒：建議同時穿上內層手套，保暖第一。

5. 護具（特別推薦新手）

防摔褲：新手單板必備，跌倒次數減少屁股疼痛。
護腕、護膝：降低受傷機率。
這類裝備通常很難租借，建議自行準備。
貼心提醒：防摔褲千萬不要買太過厚(10mm以上)！很多學員就是這個原因站不起來喔。
建議買高質量而比較薄的，保持舒適度。

6. 脖圍 / 頸套（Neck Warmer）／面罩（Balaclava）

北海道風大，下坡時風速更強。
頸套能防風、保暖，也能避免冷空氣灌進外套。
當氣溫低於 -10℃ 時，臉很容易凍僵。
面罩能全面保護，對怕冷的人來說是救星。

🤔三、單板🏂 vs 雙板⛷️：怎麼選？

很多人第一次會糾結「到底要玩單板還是雙板？」

Skiing Skiing：入門快、容易控制速度、比較穩定，適合完全沒有經驗的新手，能快速體驗滑雪樂趣。
🏂 單板：一個字，帥！但入門比雙板慢，需要多花時間(如1-2天學習基本功)。如有板類運動經驗，會學得更快。

👉 小編建議：第一次滑雪的朋友，若沒有特別偏好，可以先從 Skiing 開始，等熟悉滑雪感覺後，再嘗試單板。開心，才是最重要！

❄️ 四、新手常見問題 FAQ

Q1. 第一次滑雪一定要戴頭盔嗎？ 🪖
👉 是的，尤其是新手。跌倒時頭部最需要保護，建議一定要戴。建議放毛帽在口袋，拍照時才更換，比較帥！

Q2. 可以穿牛仔褲滑雪嗎？ 👖
👉 不建議！牛仔褲遇到雪會馬上變濕又結冰，非常不舒服。一定要穿防水的雪褲。

Q3.小孩需要特別準備什麼嗎？ 🧒
👉 It is more important to keep children warm, so it is essential to have hand warmers and neck warmers, and to ensure that gloves do not come off easily (it is recommended to choose ones with a cord or long cuffs).
Also remember to prepare ski goggles for children to prevent snow blindness.

Q4：北海道哪個雪場適合新手？
👉 札幌手稻（交通方便）、藻岩山（市區夜景）、KIRORO（雪質好）、留壽都（親子設施齊全）、札幌國際 (日本人主場)。

Further reading: 👉 More FAQs 👉 Snoway Academy Teine Ski Course

五、租借 VS 購買：💰費用比較

小編已經為大家準備好比較一下租和買費用上的分別，以供參考。租借費用會以手稻滑雪場的為例。
注意: 不同滑雪場的收費會不一樣喔！

🎿 札幌手稻滑雪場裝備租借價格（成人，正常雪季）

裝備項目	1 日租金	備註
雙板滑雪全套（雪板＋雪鞋＋雪杖）	¥8,000	初學者裝備
單板滑雪全套（雪板＋雪鞋）	¥8,000	初學者裝備
雪衣＋雪褲（外套＋褲子）	¥6,300	一般為套裝租借
雪鏡	Set ¥3,100	建議自備
手套	Set ¥3,100	建議自備
頭盔	¥2,800	新手強烈建議配戴
全部租借價格合計	¥20,200	需自備雪鏡和手套

🛒 購買裝備大約費用

裝備項目	平價入門價	品牌中階價
雙板或單板	¥40,000 起	¥70,000~100,000
雪鞋	¥20,000 起	¥40,000~60,000
雪服（外套＋褲子）	¥30,000 起	¥50,000~80,000
雪鏡	¥5,000 起	¥15,000~30,000
手套	¥3,000 起	¥8,000~15,000
頭盔	¥8,000 起	¥15,000~25,000
全部購買價格合計	¥106,000 起	約 ¥198,000 ～ ¥310,000