How to Carry Skis and Snowboards in a Campervan: How Many Fit, Roof Racks, Wet Gear and Japan’s Load Rules (Hokkaido 2026-27)

This guide is for anyone renting a campervan in Hokkaido to ski or snowboard in winter. Here is the short answer. Your skis or board go either inside the vehicle or on a roof rack, and which one depends on the model.

We asked Moving Inn directly. Their HIACE LX, KAR and AS take gear for up to two people, the Cresson Journey takes gear for up to four, and skis or boards can be up to 2 m long (interview with Moving Inn, October 6, 2026).

If you carry gear on the roof, Japanese law sets limits on length and overhang. Further down we cover the key points of the law, how to handle wet skis and boots, and what to check with the rental company before you book.

Where do skis and snowboards go in a campervan?

There are three options: storage inside the vehicle (under the bed or at the back), an external storage compartment, or a roof rack or roof box. Which ones you can use depends on the model.

• Inside: under the bed, the rear luggage space, or the aisle floor. For long skis, the length of the space is what decides it
• External storage: a compartment you open from outside. Only some models have one, such as Cabcons, and the door size and depth vary by model
• Roof: a roof rack or roof box. Whether one is available, and whether you may load the roof at all, is up to the rental company

In winter, you don’t want wet skis and boots where people sleep. When you decide where gear goes, think about whether it can go in wet, not just whether it fits. Wet gear is covered in its own section below.

How do you match your ski length to the space inside?

Start by measuring your skis or board. For a snowboard, also allow for how far the bindings stick out. Then check the length of the space you want to use against the vehicle’s official dimensions. The models with published dimensions are listed below.

Model (manufacturer)	Length × width × height	What the source says about luggage
Cresson Journey Type W (Nuts RV)	4990×2080×2900mm	Describes the fixed bunk beds as space that is “also used for carrying lots of luggage.” The lower middle mattress flips up
Cresson Journey Type X (Nuts RV)	4990×2080×2900mm	Luggage space with external storage doors on three sides (1400×1900mm). The source does not say what this measurement refers to. The extra bed in the dinette is 192cm
HIACE CA / LX / KAR / AS	Interior dimensions could not be confirmed	Moving Inn says skis and boards can be up to 2 m long (see the next section)

Nuts RV doesn’t explain what the “1400×1900mm” for the Type X measures. Because we can’t tell whether it is the door opening or the inside of the compartment, that number alone doesn’t tell you that 190cm skis will fit. (checked 2026-10-06)

We haven’t listed interior dimensions for the HIACE models because we couldn’t find official figures. Toyota’s cargo dimensions for the HIACE van apply to the vehicle before conversion. The interior after it becomes a campervan is different, so we didn’t use them as a substitute.

Published dimensions only exist for some models. For the rest, the reliable approach is to ask the rental company how many sets of skis of what length will fit. For Moving Inn, the answers we got are in the next section.

How many people’s skis fit in a Moving Inn campervan?

We asked Moving Inn where skis and boards go and how many sets fit. Their answers by model are in the table below. Skis and boards can be up to 2 m long (interview with Moving Inn, October 6, 2026).

Model	Where skis go	Up to	Wet boots and clothing
HIACE KAR	Inside the vehicle	2 people	The trunk is waterproof, so they can go in wet
HIACE AS	Inside the vehicle / roof rack (both were mentioned in the answer)	2 people	The trunk is waterproof, so they can go in wet
HIACE LX	Roof rack	2 people	When loading inside, wipe lightly and put them in the trunk
HIACE CA	Generally difficult	－	When loading inside, wipe lightly and put them in the trunk
Cresson Journey	Inside the vehicle	4 people	The trunk is waterproof, so they can go in wet

For the models that carry skis on a roof rack (LX and AS), Moving Inn provides a dedicated ski carrier free of charge. The HIACE AS appears in the answer under both “inside the vehicle” and “roof rack.” If you rent an AS, ask which one applies to the vehicle you book.

For the HIACE CA, the answer was that carrying skis is generally difficult. If four of you are bringing skis or boards, the Cresson Journey is the model that takes gear for four.

We also asked about winter equipment. Every vehicle has studless winter tires and 4WD, and every HIACE and Cresson Journey has an FF heater (interview with Moving Inn, October 6, 2026).

Will I pay extra if my skis scratch the vehicle?

Minor scratches don’t cost anything extra. If the damage affects the next rental, you pay a non-operation charge (NOC). If you’ve taken the NOC coverage option, there’s no extra charge in that case either. Check the price of the option with the rental company when you book (interview with Moving Inn, October 6, 2026).

The fleet changes over time. You can check the current models and availability on Moving Inn’s official site. For an overview of their locations and vehicles, see our guide to Moving Inn.

Can I rent for a month or more during ski season?

Yes. Moving Inn accepts long-term rentals for skiing trips. Rentals of 30 days or more are 50% off. Bookings of one month or longer are paid in advance at the time of booking (interview with Moving Inn, October 6, 2026).

A 30% cancellation fee applies from one month before the start date. After that, the standard cancellation policy applies. The answer didn’t include the discounted price or the details of the standard cancellation policy, so confirm those with the rental company before you book.

Can I put a roof rack or roof box on a rental campervan?

At Moving Inn, the HIACE LX and AS are the models that carry skis on the roof, and a dedicated ski carrier is provided free of charge (interview with Moving Inn, October 6, 2026). Roof boxes weren’t covered in the answer, so if you want one or plan to bring your own carrier, check with the rental company before you book.

With other rental companies too, whether you may load the roof and who fits the rack is the company’s decision. Loading the roof changes the vehicle’s height. In winter, you also have to load and unload on a roof covered in snow.

When loading the roof, check both weight and height. The weight a roof can carry (the roof load limit) varies by model, so ask the rental company. We couldn’t confirm official figures, so this article doesn’t give a roof load number.

Weight on the roof sits high up, which makes the vehicle more likely to sway in crosswinds. General loading tips are in our guide to campervan luggage capacity.

What does Japanese law say about loading the roof or outside?

The loading rules are in Article 55 of the Road Traffic Act and Article 22 of the Order for Enforcement of the Road Traffic Act. Here we cover only the parts relevant to skis and snowboards. You can read the full text through the e-Gov law search links.

Rule	What it says (summary)	Source
Where you may load	You must not drive with a load anywhere other than the places designed for passengers or cargo	Road Traffic Act, Article 55(1)
Visibility, stability, lights	You must not load in a way that blocks the driver’s view or controls, makes the mirrors useless, makes the vehicle unstable, or hides the turn signals, number plate, brake lights, tail lights or rear reflectors from outside	Road Traffic Act, Article 55(2)
Load length	No more than the vehicle’s length plus two-tenths of that length	Enforcement Order, Article 22(3)(a)
Load width	No more than the vehicle’s width plus two-tenths of that width	Enforcement Order, Article 22(3)(b)
Load height	No more than 3.8 meters minus the height of the loading surface (exceptions such as motorcycles are listed separately)	Enforcement Order, Article 22(3)(c)
Overhang (front and rear)	No more than one-tenth of the vehicle’s length beyond the front or rear of the body	Enforcement Order, Article 22(4)(a)
Overhang (sides)	No more than one-tenth of the vehicle’s width beyond the sides of the body	Enforcement Order, Article 22(4)(b)

For skis on a roof rack, the line in the law on length is that the skis must not stick out beyond the body by more than one-tenth of the vehicle’s length. The law also sets a height limit, with exceptions for certain vehicles and designations. If a roof box makes the vehicle taller, check with the rental company that it stays within the height formula. (checked 2026-10-06)

Keep in mind that the law only sets the minimum. How to strap skis down and how much the carrier can hold are separate questions. Follow the rental company’s instructions.

How should wet skis, boots and clothing be handled inside?

The problem inside a campervan in winter is the moisture wet gear brings in. Snow on the skis, damp boots and wet clothing leave moisture behind, which fogs the windows and walls and makes the sleeping area damp.

At Moving Inn, skis are wiped as needed before loading. In the HIACE LX and CA, wipe gear lightly and put it in the trunk when loading inside. In the other models the trunk is waterproof, so boots and clothing can go in wet. Ski cases and waterproof sheets are not available to borrow (interview with Moving Inn, October 6, 2026).

These steps work whichever company you rent from.

• Knock the snow off your skis or board outside before getting in. Brush the snow off your boots outside too
• Keep skis and boards in a case or bag, away from where people sleep. Without a case, bring a waterproof sheet for the floor or a large plastic bag
• Take the liners out of your boots and dry them where warm air from the heater reaches. Don’t block the heater vents
• Hang clothing on hangers instead of stuffing it under other luggage. Leave it where air can circulate
• Don’t shut off ventilation completely. Even with the heater on, open a window slightly or use the vents

Manufacturers mention drying wet ski clothing too. Nuts RV’s description of the Type W says that fitting an FF heater in the multi-room turns it into a drying room for clothing that got wet skiing.

Moving Inn’s Cresson Journey does have an FF heater, but we didn’t get an answer on whether the multi-room is set up to work as a drying room. If this matters to you, check with the rental company. (checked 2026-10-06)

For how to use the heater and sleep warm, see what to check to sleep warm in a campervan in winter and our article on how FF heaters work.

What should I ask before booking, and check myself before I leave?

Here is everything above as a checklist. The questions for the rental company are written so you can paste them straight into an email or inquiry form. If you rent from Moving Inn, you only need to ask about what the table above doesn’t already answer.

Questions for any rental company

• How many people’s skis (or boards) and boots fit in the model you’re renting. Give the number of people, the length of the skis, and whether it’s skis or snowboards
• Where the skis go (inside, external storage or roof), and whether they can go in wet
• Whether a roof rack or roof box is available, and whether you may load the roof
• Whether ski cases or waterproof sheets are available, and the rules on bringing your own
• Whether winter rentals come with studless tires (see also our article on studless tires)

What to confirm with Moving Inn

• If you rent a HIACE AS, whether your skis go inside or on the roof rack
• If you’re bringing a snowboard, how boards are carried on the models with a roof rack
• The price of the NOC coverage option
• If you rent for a month or more, the discounted price and the details of the standard cancellation policy

What to check yourself before you leave

• Measure the length of your skis and the width of your board (Moving Inn’s limit is 2 m)
• Bring a case or bag for your skis or board
• Bring a waterproof sheet or large bag for wet gear
• If loading the roof, check that the overhang stays within the limits in the table above
• After loading, check that the rear lights and number plate are visible from outside

Parking and overnight stays once you reach the ski area are covered in separate articles. Read our guide to ski resorts and campervan overnight stays and where to stay overnight near six major ski resorts first, and you’ll see what needs deciding before you think about loading.

Does driving on snow change when you’re carrying skis?

Before loading, you need to be ready for winter driving itself. Every Moving Inn vehicle has studless tires and 4WD (interview with Moving Inn, October 6, 2026), but driving on snow is still a skill you need to learn. For technique and equipment, see before you travel Hokkaido by campervan in winter, our winter driving guide, and our article on 4WD, which explains the drive systems.

Heavy items on the roof raise the center of gravity. On snowy roads, drive with more margin than you would with a light load, and keep your speed down and your following distance long. Ski area opening dates are in our article on 2026-27 season opening dates.

Where to go next

• Hokkaido ski resorts and campervan overnight stays
• Before you travel Hokkaido by campervan in winter: snowy roads, ice and heating
• The complete guide to winter campervan driving in Hokkaido
• Does a campervan need 4WD?
• When do Hokkaido ski resorts open for the 2026-27 season?