COVID-19 Policies
As trips which operate in close quarters it's important to have a Covid policy agreed to in advance.
Abiding by social norms in Japan
When traveling abroad, it's always best to abide by the local customs. Japan is still wearing masks in public spaces including airports, restaurants, Disneyland, and yes, indoor areas at ski resorts. We understand that back home, your country may have moved on from this. But in Japan, things move a bit slower. Please be a good traveler and cooperate in this social ritual so that visitors don't get a crappy reputation! What happens if someone on the trip shows symptoms of COVID-19? If a guest feels unwell during their trip, the guide will assist them to access medical care. This may include facilitating COVID-19 testing if requested by the customer and we also encourage customers to bring their own tests from home as a precaution. COVID-19 tests are abundant in local pharmacies in Japan, the purchase of them will be the responsibility of any guests who want them. If someone on a trip tests positive for COVID-19, do other travelers on the trip need to have a COVID-19 test? If someone on a trip tests positive for COVID-19, it is mandatory for leaders and crew to take a test. It is not mandatory for other travelers on a trip to be tested if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19. However, your leader can help to arrange tests for anyone who requests one from a local pharmacy. The cost of tests will be paid for by individual guests. You may like to bring your own rapid antigen tests from home to make this process easier. Will my trip continue if someone on my trip tests positive for COVID-19? If a customer tests positive for COVID-19, they will be assisted to leave the trip and access medical care (if required). Depending on the destination, they may be required to isolate for a period of time. Whether the rest of the group can continue on the trip will be managed on a case by case basis. Our goal is to keep the trip going wherever possible unless we are required to end the trip in line with local regulations. Who will pay for the costs associated with a deviation from the planned itinerary due to a COVID-19 infection? Additional costs associated with deviations from the planned itinerary due to a COVID-19 infection will be the responsibility of the guest(s) who test positive and desire/require improvised action. JST is not responsible for costs associated with a deviation from the planned itinerary due to a COVID-19 infection. These costs include: changing lodging arrangements, unplanned transportation requirements, changing of flights, or the cost of medical attention. JST guests are required to have travelers insurance which covers additional costs incurred in these events. Terms of Agreement & Policies/ Booking Information Please carefully read the policies below before you make a reservation. Cancellation
Once we receive written notification that you are canceling your trip the following fees will apply. Of the total price of the reservation, a fee of 25% will be charged for all cancellations made more than 4 months before the start of your trip. Cancellations made between 2 and 4 months prior to the start of your program will be charged a 50% fee. Cancellations made with less than two months of advanced notice will not be refunded. Unfortunately, due to the time-sensitive nature of our business, and the difficulty in re-booking a trip close to the departure date, we cannot make exceptions to this policy. Japan Ski Tours cannot be held responsible for snow conditions. Trips cannot be cancelled or amended on the basis of snow conditions. No refunds will be made if you voluntarily leave a tour for any reason after the tour has begun. Refunds will be at the discretion of JST if you are involuntarily forced to leave a tour for any reason. No refunds will be given for any accommodation, transport, sightseeing, meals, services, lift tickets or any component of the tour not utilized. Responsibility and dependence on suppliers JST acts only as an agent for the other companies providing or offering accommodation, lift tickets and other services and as such has no control over any services or products provided by these supplying companies. All bookings made are subject to the booking terms and conditions under which these services are provided. JST and its suppliers reserve the right, without liability or right of compensation, to prohibit or restrict any activity, or cancel or alter any service or itinerary component, without notice. JST will not be held responsible for the inability of the suppliers to comply with any special request relating to age, medical conditions, physical ability or disability, dietary requirements, allergic conditions, smoking or non-smoking accommodation. Cancellation by JST JST reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, including a confirmed tour, due to circumstances beyond our control. If this occurs you will be given the option of changing to another tour or receive a full refund. JST is not responsible for any incidental expense you have incurred as a result of your booking. If you choose and alternative tour and it is at a lower value than your original tour you will be refunded the difference. If the alternative tour is of a higher value then you will pay the difference in price. What Storm Chasing means While we do "storm chase" as much as possible, we are constrained by the limitations of our itinerary and hotel reservations. There may be instances where we have to leave our base accommodation and move to the next area as soon as a storm is coming in. If you're not willing to run the risk that the timing of the itinerary might not work with the storm systems during your trip, your best bet is to rent a Camper Van and travel around in real-time with the storms. Since our trips aren't Camper Van based, we'll be following our itinerary as described on our website and storm chasing within those limitations. Change of Date Date changes are subject to availability. Date changes may be requested at anytime up to 2 months prior to your departure date. Date changes made between 2-3 months prior to the tour will be charged a ¥15,000 fee per person. A ¥10,000 fee will be charged per person for all date changes made more than 3 months prior to the tour. Medical and Emergency Evacuation Insurance Due to the inherent risk involved in alpine pursuits, and in the interest of your safety, Japan Ski Tours strongly recommends all participants to bring insurance that provides full medical and emergency evacuation coverage. Japan Ski Tours will NOT provide insurance for participants on any JST tour. If a participant does not have proper insurance documentation he/she will be liable for her own medical and emergency evacuation expenses and will receive no refund, date change, or any kind of compensation from Japan Ski Tours. Please take this seriously and lean on the side of caution. Hazard Management and Skier Responsibilities Managing risk is JST’s number one priority. Our guides manage significant hazards inherent to sidecountry pursuits (e.g. avalanche, inclement weather, tee-accidents, rock fall, and high winds) but they cannot eliminate them. Please clearly understand that skiing in bounds and out of bounds is an inherently hazardous sport and both actions are only undertaken with the full knowledge and consent from the participant that these are inherently dangerous activities. You are choosing to engage in an activity in which skiers have been injured and worse. While these accidents are indeed infrequent, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. We ask that participants acknowledge that risk, and make their own choices about whether or not to engage in this activity. We ask that each participant is physically and mentally fit, is properly attired and equipped, and continues to assess him/her-self throughout the tour to ensure as safe a time as possible. We ask that participants honestly and accurately describe themselves, in terms of fitness, health and skills, and their equipment to their guides, and that they adhere to the advice of their guide. |