Quirky Guide

If you set foot in any European ski resort during the Christmas period, you are more than likely to find a few crazy folk rocking a Santa hat, or if they’re feeling really brave some reindeer ears.

However, visit the Japanese resort of Goryu-Hakuba 47 on Christmas Eve and you will be hard pressed to spot anyone not in full festive fancy dress.

This is down to the folks at Goryu’s lift pass office, who came up with the brilliant idea of giving away free lift passes to anyone showing up for a day’s skiing wearing fancy dress.

The most popular costume by far is a Santa suit and if you consider the fluff, padding, big hat and fake beard, you can appreciate why skiers might reject any less insulated alternatives.