When and where to ski in Japan

Just like anywhere else in the world, no one really knows when or where the best snow will be in any given season until that season arrives. The best snow can usually be guaranteed between mid January and late February. However, with the highest probability of pow comes the highest amount of crowds--but this only applies at places like Hakuba and Niseko which both have a high number of ski visitors. Also remember that "long lift lines" in Japan means any wait of 15-30 minutes. 

Where is the best place to ski in Japan?

As you would expect, this is a highly debatable question that mostly comes down to personal preference, who you're traveling with, and whether you're looking for the best pow, the best steeps, least crowds, or family friendly. Japan offers a variety of skiable terrain and each area has a specialty that it brings to the table. 

Below is a quick-reference chart of the pro's and con's of each zone, with further detail provided below. Of course the best choice is to ski them all!


Green is the best in category and red is the worst in category

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The Niseko Area, unpacked
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​Bottom Line: If you're looking for the best quality powder, with the best apres scene, with the best non-ski activities for the non-skiers in your life, OR if you're traveling alone and looking to meet other skiers who speak English at bars, hotel/hostels, or on the hill, Niseko ranks highest. 

• Niseko gets the most snow with very good quality. As the chart shows, the trade-off is steepness. While you'll have plenty of pow in this region, you'll find yourself doing a lot of short laps. If you're a snowboarder, you'll really need to be on your game to not get stuck in waste-deep pow every 10 minutes. 

• Niseko is a great resort area for an introduction to riding Japow because the tourist infrastructure is second to none in the Japow-scene. Any information you want on Niseko in English can be found with a quick online search. The trade-off of this kind of accessibility is that it also has the most tourist crowds and is the lowest ranked on the "Authentically Japanese" scale. If you're from North America, think of Niseko as Cancun, Mexico. If you're from Australia or New Zealand, think of Niseko as Bali. Both Cancun and Bali area great, but no one would describe them as authentically representing their culture so if that's a value to you then its best to looks elsewhere.

• The crowds that Niseko attracts also means the mountain gets tracked out really fast compared to other Japow options, so on a pow day you've got to be first at the lift line and you'll probably be finished by lunch. ​

• Niseko is also very consistent. If you're planning an international ski vacation, you'd have to be unlucky to strike out here. Even a bad year at Niseko is still a good year by the standards of most riders. 

• If you're into backcountry touring, Niseko has lots of options and will keep you entertained for a long time. None of the touring is very steep, but in terms of avalanche safety, sometimes you don't really want the steepness anyways. 

• Niseko also has a strong Apres scene and lots of non-skiing activities to keep the family (or the girlfriend/boyfriend) entertained while you shred the slopes. 

Looking to ski in the Niseko region? Ride with likeminded powder hounds on our guided 7-day Storm Chaser. Just book your international flights to/from Japan and we'll take care of domestic transportation, comfortable mid-range accommodation located downtown, guide you to the best powder, and choose the best spots to ski given current conditions.

View the Hokkaido Storm Chaser

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Tohoku Region
Resorts including: Geto, Appi Kogen, Hakkoda, Tazawako, Hachimantai, etc
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Tohoku is located at the northern bit of Honshu

Bottom line: when you ski in Niseko you'll hear old timers talk about "the good old days" when they used to have the slopes to themselves and there was no competition for powder. Well I've got good news for you; that version of Japow still exists--for now--and the Tohoku Region is it.


The trade off is that the tourist infrastructure isn't there yet, requiring more planning, more drive time, and more funny "cultural moments" when you realize that there is no English menu...anywhere. If you're adventurous or you've skid the mainstream spots and are looking for the next thing, this is the best spot for you!


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• Tohoku has a lot to offer, but its a bit spread-out. The reward if you put in the effort? Empty ski hills with just you and your buddies shredding the good stuff. Its like the movie "I am Legend" with Will Smith, but for skiing. Japow used to have the reputation of these kinds of empty slopes, but most places are now far more busy from ski-tourists. Luckily Tohoku remains largely unchanged for now. 

 

• The snow may not be as plentiful as other places in Japan, but having a private ski mountain to yourself with no competition is worth it. Plus even if it hasn't snowed in 4 days, there will be plenty of freshies all around so long as the temperatures have stayed favorable. 

 

• This region is positively exploding with culture and history. Whether you're into food, restaurants, wild Onsen hot springs, authentic Ryokan accommodation, this region has it to the next level. Uniquely for Japan, its quite easy to find mixed gender hot springs as well wihch means that you can hang out with your partner

 

• Backcountry ski touring is also abondant in this region. Hakkoda, Aomori Spring, Ani and Geto all have amazing lift-accessed backcountry and side-country. The Hachimantai backcountry zone (home of our Hachimantai Cat ski operation) features great backcountry touring that'll keep you entertained for days. Uniquiely for Japow, this zone features quite a bit of wide-open terrain instead of the usual tree skiing (which it also has plenty of) 

Looking to ski in the Tohoku region? Ride with likeminded powder hounds on our guided 8-day Tohoku Storm Chaser. Just book your international flights to/from the starting point and we'll take care of domestic transportation, comfortable mid-range accommodation located downtown, guide you to the best powder, and choose the best spots to ski given current conditions.

Learn more about the skiing in the Tohoku region on our dedicated page here. 

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View the Tohoku Storm Chaser

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The Furano Area, unpacked
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Bottom Line: The Furano area (also known as Central Hokkaido) is a lesser produced version of the Niseko zone with a bit less snow, but higher quality, very light powder. Furano is an amazing central area to base your trip out of with relatively quick access to five resorts, as well as the backcountry ski mecca of the Tokachi range. If you're willing to put in a bit of effort and rent a car, this region will reward your handsomely.


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• A less crowded and less produced version of Niseko, basing in the Furano area is a great option for the more adventurous skier. If you think of Niseko as Cancun or Bali, you can think of Furano as the more authentic, less expensive and less produced neighbor. The zone is generally quite visitor friendly with lots of information in English.

 

• Furano still gets crowds but not to the extent of Niseko, which means it can take a two days (not two hours) for the mountain to get tracked out after a big storm.

 

• If you get a rental car, Furano is a great spot to base out of with Sahoro, Tomamu, Asahidake, Kamui Ski Links, and the backcountry mecca of Tokachi all within a 1.5 hour drive.

 

• Furano is quite family friendly, especially because kids under 12 ski for free! Non-ski activities for the whole family are more limited than in Niseko but hey, free skiing for the kiddos!

 

• Nightlife and apres in Furano does exist but its not as boisterous as in Niseko. Furano has an assortment of bars, some of which have pool tables, craft beer and the like.

 

• Snowfall in Furano is quite plentiful but not to the level of Niseko, although the quality of powder is lighter in this region.

Looking to ski in the Furano region? Ride with likeminded powder hounds on our guided 7-day Storm Chaser. Just book your international flights to/from Japan and we'll take care of domestic transportation, comfortable mid-range accommodation located downtown, guide you to the best powder, and choose the best spots to ski given current conditions.

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View the Hokkaido Storm Chaser

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The Hakuba Area, unpacked
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​Bottom Line: In the best conditions, Hakuba is where you want to be. But the "window of perfection" is more temperamental than other places which makes it more of a gamble. If you won't be happy without steeps then its worth the bet. The town is also quite developed with good English infrastructure, which makes it approachable for visitors.

• Hakuba gets the award for the steepest big mountain skiing in Japan. Host to the Free-ride World Tour and located in the Japan Alps, there is no shortage of vertical here. The trade-off here is that the snow quality isn't usually as good or as consistent as in Hokkaido so you'll find the powder to be a bit more dense here.

 

• While the mountain still gets crowds, its definitely less than in Niseko. Also unlike Niseko, there's a pretty big population of local Japanese skiers who come up on the weekend so the lift lines are noticeably affected on Saturdays and Sundays.

 

• Because Hakuba is a destination visited by locals, you can find more authentic lodgings and experiences in Hakuba, but they won't be immediately apparent by searching the internet in English. 

 

• At Hakuba, when the snow gods deliver, they DELIVER and, unlike in Niseko, you'll have the vertical you need to have the best day of your life. But when the gods don't deliver it can be pretty rough. Compared to Niseko, Hakuba tends to have more of a moody relationship with its snow, although on average its usually not a problem.​

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For more information on each resort area, check out our dedicated pages linked at the below buttons for a deep dive! No snorkel required (yet)! 

Ski Hokkaido

Ski Nagano/Niigata

Ski Tohoku