Some things just work together: sweet and savoury, heroes and villains, ski and scuba holidays... We might not be experts on the first two, but we have you covered on the last one. From Japanese jaunts to American adventures, there are so many ways to combine an alpine ascent with a spot of deep-sea discovery. So, if you've ever wondered how to tag a skiing stint onto a diving holiday - or if this is the first you're hearing about the combo - read on for our guide on where (and when) to ski and scuba...
Hokkaido & Okinawa or the Philippines
A speedy 90-minute flight from Tokyo takes you to Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. Renowned for its 'powder' (exceptionally deep, low-density snow), this frosty forerunner is a skier's paradise with plenty of resorts to choose from, one of the most popular being Niseko, and for good reason. Suitable for beginners, experts and everyone in between, Niseko also offers backcountry skiing for adrenaline-junkies and a vibrant après-ski culture for party animals (bottoms up).
Now for an adventure on the flipside - literally. Thanks to direct flights from Sapporo (near Hokkaido) to Okinawa, it's easy to swap mountain peaks for the deep sea. That said, winter water temperatures in Okinawa can dip to around 20°C, which is on the cooler side. So, unless you fancy yourself a hardy diver, it's worth tagging on a stopover in Tokyo before jetting off to the Philippines, where warmer waters offer superb visibility between January and February. But where to start? Coron is excellent for wreck diving, Dumaguete for macro and Bohol for healthy reefs all around.
The Japanese Alps & French Polynesia
Searching for another 'JAPOW' hotspot? Hakuba in Nagano is ideal for those keen to ski the Japanese Alps. With superb accessibility from Tokyo (via a bullet train, no less), a Winter Olympics legacy and a variety of terrain to accommodate skiers and snowboarders alike, it's certainly a contender for Japan's best ski resort - sorry, Niseko.
Once you're snowed out, jet off to French Polynesia for your scuba diving fix via a handy direct flight from Tokyo to Tahiti. When it comes to diving, this dreamy destination is hard to beat. Just don't succumb to the popularity of Papeete; the other islands and motus are the real stars here. And, while May to October is usually the best time for diving, shark-fanatics (or fin-atics) should visit in January, when schooling hammerheads frequent the waters around Rangiora.
New Zealand & Fiji
Talk about opposites attract. New Zealand's ski season perfectly coincides with the best time to dive in Fiji, giving this high-altitude, deep-sea combo an enviable edge. Need a steer in the snowiest direction? Queenstown and Wanaka are home to Kiwiland's go-to ski resorts, each packing plenty of icy thrills while catering to all experience levels.
Thanks to direct flights from Auckland to Nadi, you can then nip over to the balmy beaches of Fiji in under four hours (seriously speedy). Fiji's waters are among the best in the world for diving, with an abundance of stunning tropical fish as well as reef sharks, dolphins, manta rays and turtles. And the cherry on top? The world-famous Great White Wall in Fiji's Rainbow Reef (a vertical wall of vibrant corals). To witness this underwater marvel in full bloom, speak to one of ourspecialists who'll help you plan the tailor-made dive trip of your dreams.
Chile & the Galapagos
If you're looking for snow-capped thrills in South America, head to the Andes between June and September. The best known among the many (and we do mean many) ski resorts here is Valle Nevado, or 'Snowy Valley' - a fitting promise. But if you want to be a little closer to Santiago Airport while you're hitting the slopes, La Parva and El Colorado are equally epic.
From Santiago, all you have to do is board a direct flight to Guayaquil, and you'll be at the mainland gateway for flights to the Galapagos: your marine mecca. Conveniently, the July to September window is also peak season for whale shark sightings throughout the archipelago. And thanks to the nutrient-rich waters around Darwin and Wolf Islands, you'll also be in with the chance of spotting hammerheads. The only hitch? Due to the Humboldt Current, cooler water temperatures of between 19 and 23°C are common here until November. So, while sun-seekers may dismay, if you're keen to check out a premier cold water diving destination, this is the ski and scuba combo for you.
USA & Mexico
The land of convenience certainly lives up to its stereotype here. Direct flights between Salt Lake City and Cancun make a ski-and-scuba holiday between the States and Mexico as easy as (American) pie. Utah's standout ski resort is Park City, encompassing over 7,300 acres of skiable terrain, making it the largest resort in the whole country - now that's a claim to frosty fame.
And for the diving portion of the trip? Head to the Yucatan Peninsula. A vast and varied wonderland, its waters boast everything from gently sloping plateaus to shallow reef ledges. The only thing not available is genuine wall diving. But to more than make up for it, the Yucatan offers the chance to dive in a cenote (a natural underground reservoir), surrounded by surreal stalagmites in water that's often totally transparent. Who needs wall dives when there are ancient Mayan sinkholes on the cards?
Have we successfully whetted your ski and scuba appetite? Well, here's one final incentive for the road: at Original Diving, we can arrange kit rental for both the skiing and scuba diving portions of your trip. So, leave the logistics to us and start dreaming up your next adrenaline adventure...
