Ski & Snowboard Trip Bill Splitting Guide: From Lift Tickets to Gas
Snowboarding trips with friends are incredibly fun, but they are also events with a high "bill-splitting difficulty level".
Gas money for the driver, individual lift tickets, rentals, accommodation, meals...
Here are tips to settle these smoothly, including failed examples to learn from.
1. Consideration for the Driver (Gas & Tolls)
Driving is common for ski trips, but consideration for the driver is essential. If you take this for granted, they might not want to drive next time.
General Rules
- Gas & Tolls: Split among everyone (discuss beforehand if the driver pays or is exempt). Filling up at the start and again upon return to pay the exact receipt amount is the most accurate method.
- Thanking the Driver: Treating the driver to a meal or buying them a Starbucks coffee is a smart gesture.
- Wear & Tear (Important): Considering tire and oil wear from long-distance driving, it's becoming common to give "Gas + a few thousand yen" as a vehicle depreciation fee.
2. Separating Individual vs. Common Expenses
Expenses differ by nature. "Rental only for me" or "Lesson fee" are individual, while "Dinner for everyone" and "Accommodation" are common.
Basically, settle individual equipment costs on the spot, and split only common costs like accommodation and dinner.
Lift tickets can be tricky with early booking discounts or coupons. If purchasing in bulk beforehand, keep a clear note of who owes what.
3. A "Common Wallet" is Convenient
Small expenses like convenience stores or service area snacks pile up. Asking for "350 yen please" every time is nonsense.
Collect 5,000 to 10,000 yen from everyone beforehand to create a "Common Wallet" and pay from there to avoid individual register hassles.
Refund the leftover money at the end or use it for the final dinner. It's polite for someone other than the driver to manage this wallet.
4. Hot Spring & Bathing Fees
The post-ski hot spring is a highlight, but towel rentals can create small differences. You can either "Pay entrance fee from common wallet, towels individually" or just "Pay everything from common wallet" for simplicity.
It's better for everyone to get into the bath quickly and relax rather than spending time calculating small differences.
Summary
Don't say "Let's figure out money later." Setting rules beforehand is the secret to going again next year. Show gratitude to the driver not just with words, but with your wallet too.
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