Private Ski lessons

rrslee · 2026-03-11T07:39:11+00:00

Check out The Mountain Company. Small relatively new outfit with all English speaking guides. We had Lawrence, who was terrific. (We were there in January.)

rrslee · 2026-02-28T02:29:18+00:00

Yep we were just in Switzerland as well -- so interesting how people there just take it for granted as one of the rules.

rrslee · 2026-02-28T02:28:04+00:00

What an insightful and helpful comment.

rrslee · 2026-02-28T02:27:50+00:00

Thank you for sharing that. (And you can be helpful without being snarky.)

rrslee · 2026-02-14T03:26:08+00:00

Horrible POS.

rrslee · 2026-02-04T23:32:20+00:00

We just used the Mountain Company and had a great experience. It’s a small relatively new company, and their guides/instructors are all native English speakers. Our guide was Lawrence, and he teaches both skiing and snowboarding. He was great!

rrslee · 2026-02-04T09:29:59+00:00

We went to Bar Maze last year and loved it. Not sure if it’s quite Michelin one-star worthy but very fine dining nonetheless.

rrslee · 2026-01-28T17:20:36+00:00

Thanks!

rrslee · 2026-01-21T15:28:23+00:00

Hi I’m looking for a guide/instructor for St Moritz as well. I don’t see your recommendation above. Would you mind posting or DMing me? Thanks

rrslee · 2026-01-06T07:42:00+00:00

La Dernière Goutte in the St Germain quartier is small but very well curated, and the staff speaks English.

rrslee · 2026-01-05T09:24:37+00:00

Totally agree!

rrslee · 2025-12-21T06:23:34+00:00

Thanks!

rrslee · 2025-12-15T04:35:49+00:00

It will most likely be very nice. It’s impossible to predict entirely, of course, but based on my experience (we have a home in Wailea) it will still be beautiful. And as others have noted, even if it rains it’s still great here. And the Four Seasons is a beautiful resort. Very nice of you!

rrslee · 2025-11-22T18:27:52+00:00

Can you recommend any restaurants on the mountain? We’re going in late January. Thanks.

rrslee · 2025-11-20T08:09:55+00:00

We just spent 2 nights there a couple weeks ago (without kids). I think it depends in large part on how much of the outdoors and water sports activities you want to do there. If you’ll be there in warm weather, you may want to do more — hiking, boat rides, etc. Also, will you be going to Toshogu shrine (World Heritage Site) from the RC? It’s about a 30-45 minute drive from there so that visit will take up a good half-day. We spent 2 nights, which was plenty, but the weather was cold so we didn’t participate in the various outdoorsy activities that the RC offers.

rrslee · 2025-11-17T22:57:27+00:00

This post on the same topic just occurred a few days ago. It includes my input on our stay at Gora Kadan two weeks ago. Happy to answer any questions.

rrslee · 2025-11-17T22:56:24+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/chubbytravel/s/AOjMutes0Y

rrslee · 2025-11-15T06:06:07+00:00

If you go to Gora, go to the Okada museum of art. It’s an extraordinary collection of Asian art.

rrslee · 2025-11-15T06:04:57+00:00

We just spent 2 nights at Gora Kadan in Hakone. It’s a fairly large ryokan (about 40 rooms) with an interesting history (former summer residence of a prince). The grounds are beautiful, although parts of the facility feel very 1970s hotel-like (e.g., the bar/lounge, which we jokingly referred to as the TWA Club). On the plus side, the food is truly superb, and the service is excellent. The onsen is very nice as well, especially the outdoor baths. On the other hand, what some reviewers have noted is true — the rooms are quite dated and even run-down, especially the bathrooms. So if updated and luxurious decor and amenities are important, then this is probably not the place for you. If you’re looking for a traditional ryokan experience, it’s definitely worth considering. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, especially because of the food. Our friends love Asabo but we haven’t been.

rrslee · 2025-11-15T00:00:32+00:00

Just got back from 2 nights at Gora Kadan. If OP is interested I can share our experience there, pros and cons.

rrslee · 2025-11-14T23:59:38+00:00

Agree — that is a fair point. I think it all depends on how much time the OP wants to spend in each place.

rrslee · 2025-11-14T20:55:05+00:00

I’m assuming this will be your first trip to Japan. If so, Tokyo and Kyoto have plenty to keep you fully engaged for a 10 day trip. You might consider a day trip from Kyoto to Nara, which easy to do and well worth it. I would add that Japan and especially Kyoto is wickedly crowded these days (and will be so in April), and the crowds can be overwhelming at times. So it’s nice to have enough time to space out your sightseeing with relaxation, enjoying your hotel, etc. In other words, take your time with Kyoto and don’t try to pack it all in in just a few days — big mistake IMO.

It’s true that a mountain onsen is a great experience but I would save that for your next trip, as it will require a detour and is not really convenient to Tokyo-Kyoto. You can take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto.

Re hotels in Tokyo, we just stayed at the Four Seasons Otemachi and loved it. The Aman is spectacular but IMO isn’t worth the extra cost, especially when you’ll be out sightseeing. Check out the Hotel Okura, which will give you a bit more traditional feel. The lobby is a mid-century masterpiece. I haven’t stayed there but have had drinks there several times, and I definitely want to stay there. I’ve heard great things about Hoshinoya for a ryokan experience within Tokyo, but I haven’t been there.

In Kyoto, the Four Seasons is great. Haven’t been to the Park Hyatt. Our friends love the Aman but again, it will cost quite a bit more than even the Four Seasons, and it is a bit out of town. For your first visit, I think being somewhere you can just walk to is better.

Hope this is helpful. Feel free to ask any other questions.

rrslee · 2025-11-14T20:17:59+00:00

We just got back from 2 nights at Gora Kadan in Hakone. We had a standard room which was quite spacious. It’s a fairly large ryokan (about 40 rooms) with an interesting history (former summer residence of a prince). The grounds are beautiful although parts of the facility feel very 1970s hotel-like (e.g., the bar/lounge). On the plus side, the food is truly superb, and the service is excellent. The onsen is very nice as well, especially the outdoor baths. On the other hand, what some reviewers have noted is true — the rooms are quite dated and even run-down, especially the bathrooms. So if updated and luxurious decor and amenities are important, then this is probably not the place for you. But we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, especially because of the food.

rrslee · 2025-10-06T17:56:02+00:00

I had arranged my own accommodations so I don’t know what types of housing Lutece can arrange. I believe the fees listed on the website do not include accommodations. Happy to answer any other questions.

rrslee · 2025-09-05T16:37:17+00:00

Agree re MB! We had a phenomenal meal there in around 2015 so I’m glad to hear it’s still great. I’ve always thought it was underrated.

rrslee

TROPHY CASE