Don’t Miss Out On These Japan Ski Resorts This Ski Season

Beyond its bustling city and delicious local food, there’s one other reason travelers flock to Japan — skiing! Because of the prominence of skiing in Japan, it’s no surprise that the country houses many ski resorts in different areas and regions. There are slopes for both beginners and experts, so anyone in your group can give skiing a shot. It’s a fun activity for friends, families, and even solo travelers.

Niseko and Hakuba are some of the popular ski resorts in Japan, and if you want to see more options, then read on below!

Japan’s ski season usually starts in December and lasts until April. But, the start and end of the ski season could be a month earlier for some regions, so it will depend on where you plan to go skiing.

You’re probably wondering when, then, is the best time to go skiing in Japan — anytime between December and February for the powder snow! It’s in those months that the snow in Japan is in its best state. But please note that December to February are also the peak skiing months in Japan so it will be a bit crowded.

Before you go skiing, you have to prepare all your essentials first. With that, we’ve listed down some of the usual items below, but feel free to bring other items that you feel are necessary.

1. Sunscreen: protection from harmful UV rays

2. Neck cover: additional warmth and protection from strong winds

3. Water bottle: for easy refills so you can stay hydrated

4. Hand and foot warmers: additional warmth for when your socks or gloves get wet/cold

5. Gloves: additional warmth and hand protection

6. Thermal clothes: additional layers to protect you from cold winds and snow

As for your ski equipment, you can bring your own if you like, but we highly recommend renting from your preferred ski resort to lighten your travel baggage flying to and from Japan. It’s also cheaper to rent than to buy your own set of equipment, especially for those who just want to experience skiing and not do it often or professionally.

First off is Sapporo Teine Ski Resort, located only about 45 minutes away via bus or train from the city center. The ski resort offers wide, gentle, and long slopes that are perfect for beginners and experts. There are two zones in the area, connected by a gondola so transferring from one zone to another should be a breeze.

The first zone is the Highland Zone, with medium and advanced courses, and the second zone is the Olympia Zone, with wider slopes, perfect for beginners. There’s also a family park for those who want to try sledding.

By the way, when you’re on the gondola, make sure to take in the breathtaking views and spot some landmarks like the Ishikari Bay, Mashike Mountains, and Daisetsuzan National Park.

Now, if you want another ski resort option that’s in the same city, then consider going to Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort. This Japan ski resort also offers slopes for both beginners and advanced skiers! One of the best things about this ski resort is that it has the longest operating season — from mid-November to early May. 

The resort is located about an hour away from the city center, and if you book your experience on Klook, it includes roundtrip transfers to and from the ski resort, unlimited use of lifts and gondolas for an entire day, and a lunch meal ticket worth JPY 980 (~USD 6.27).

To make your ski trip even better and lighter, rent your full set of equipment ahead so when you get to the ski resort, you’ll just have to pick up your pre-booked equipment and get to skiing! This ski equipment rental already includes ski wear top and bottom, goggles, ski poles, skiboards, and boots. You may use the equipment from 8:30 am up until the resort’s closing time.

Next on our list is Hakuba, a village outside Nagano and in the Japanese Alps. Located about 3 to 4 hours away from Tokyo via the Shinkansen train, Hakuba is one of the most popular areas in Japan for skiing, which also hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. Here, visitors can also go snowboarding and hiking. Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced skier, or a child, they have just the right number of snow facilities in the village with slopes and courses for everyone to take on!

Some ski resorts in Hakuba include Happo One Ski Resort, Goryu Ski Resort, Iwatake Ski Resort, Hakuba 47 Ski Resort, and more. 

This last ski resort on our list is located in Nagano. While Nozawa Onsen is known for its hot springs and inns, it also has a ski resort worth visiting. Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort has three main areas with plenty of terrain for skiers to explore. There are beginner-friendly and family-friendly trails that are wide and not steep, and also courses with jumps and rails that cater to highly experienced skiers.

If you happen to be in central Hokkaido and want to go skiing, Tomamu Ski Resort is the place to be! Just like the first two, both beginners and advanced skiers are welcome here with the slopes and trails available. Visitors are also welcome to take ski lessons if you want to know how to do the activity right. This private ski lesson will not only teach the basics but also some techniques that will make skiing extra fun! If you book your private ski lesson on Klook, pair it up with a skiwear and equipment rental so you can skip the hassle of having to bring your own.

Apart from skiing, you can also do other activities like snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and snow rafting. For those with kids, there’s a snow park just for the little ones to take ski lessons or have a fun playtime at the snow playground.

Home to world-class ski resorts, Niseko is a must-visit town if you want to ski in perfect powder snow and from high terrains. As you ski in the area, you’ll be delighted with breathtaking views of snow-covered mountains. There are four main ski resorts in Niseko: Niseko Village, Hanazono, Annupuri, and Hirafu. All the ski resorts cater to beginners, skilled skiers, and even families with kids.

You can also try snowboarding and hiking during your visit, as these two activities are highly recommended by many!