Guests
Heading over to Japan on a ski holiday and unsure about what kind of lift pass to buy? Not to worry — this complete Japan lift pass guide will explain what to buy, which to use where, and what is accepted at each major Japan ski resort.
Niseko United Lift Pass
Highlight: Ikon Pass holders get up to 7 days at all Niseko United resorts!
Please note: The full Ikon Pass provides 7 days at Niseko United with no blackout dates. The Ikon Base Pass and Ikon Session Pass are subject to blackout dates during peak periods (typically late December, mid-January, and mid-February). Check the Ikon Pass website for current blackout dates before booking.
Niseko United Ski Resort is made up of 4 interconnecting resorts, each with their own system of lifts and gondolas. For hardcore skiers and snowboarders who want to get the most out of the powder, the best lift pass for Niseko is the Niseko All Mountain lift pass, which covers all 4 Niseko United resorts and offers unlimited use based on the number of days purchased. This offers the best value as well as convenience and flexibility with electronic gate access, and is the perfect option for those planning to ski and ride every day!
We highly recommend purchasing your Niseko All Mountain passes in advance for utmost convenience. When booked through Japan Ski Experience, your passes can be delivered to your accommodation free of charge.
In addition to the Niseko United All Mountain lift pass, you can also purchase lift passes for each individual resort — ideal for those who are true beginners or wish to do more than ski. See below for details about what is available at each Niseko United resort.
Niseko Hanazono and Niseko Grand Hirafu Resorts
Niseko Hanazono and Niseko Grand Hirafu ski resorts are covered by one combined Hanazono & Grand Hirafu lift pass. Passes can be purchased as hourly (5-hour and 50-hour options) and day passes (1–7 days), as well as gondola round-trip rides, night skiing passes, and season passes. Hanazono & Grand Hirafu lift ticket key cards can be purchased either online (collected from the automatic ticket machine at the base of the mountain) or at ticket counters in Hirafu and Hanazono.
Niseko Village Resort
Niseko Village lift passes allow access to the lifts within Niseko Village resort. You can purchase 1 to 6-day Niseko Village lift tickets at ticketing windows at the resort base.
Niseko Annupuri Resort
Niseko Annupuri lift passes allow access to lifts at Annupuri resort and can be purchased by hours (5-hour or 50-hour) or days (1 to 7), as well as a Night Ski pass, point pass, and season pass. Family ticket options are also available.
Hakuba Valley Lift Pass
Highlight: Epic Pass holders get 5 consecutive days across all Hakuba Valley resorts!
One of the largest resort areas in Japan, Hakuba Valley is made up of 10 separate resorts, stretching over 25km of the Northern Japan Alps, and is renowned worldwide for its fantastic powder and diverse terrain. Despite the size, getting around and skiing all 10 Hakuba ski resorts is easy. The Hakuba Valley Lift Pass is a single all-access lift pass and is the best option for those who plan to ski every day, with the convenience of electronic gate access and no daily queuing. Hakuba Valley ski pass holders can also ride the inter-resort shuttle free of charge, allowing you to easily discover everything Hakuba Valley has to offer.
When booking your ski holiday with Japan Ski Experience, you have the option to purchase the Hakuba Valley lift pass in advance of your arrival and have it delivered to your accommodation free of charge.
In addition to the Hakuba Valley All Mountain lift pass, you can also purchase lift passes for each individual resort — perfect for those who want more flexibility in their skiing and sightseeing schedule.
Jigatake Ski Resort
Half-day, 1-day, 2-day, night skiing, single lift ride, and season passes can be purchased at Jigatake ski resort, as well as family pass ticket options.
Hakuba 47 and Hakuba Goryu Resorts
Various 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, and half-day passes, as well as single ride tickets and season passes, can be purchased for Hakuba 47 and Hakuba Goryu ski resorts. Kids under 6 and seniors over 80 ski free!
Hakuba Happo One Resort
Various lift pass options can be purchased at Happo One resort including 1-day, 2-day, half-day, night ride, single ride, and season pass. First-time and disability discounts are available.
Hakuba Iwatake Resort
Iwatake resort offers half-day, 1-day, 2-day, and season passes, as well as combination tickets that include priority access to all ski lifts, exclusive lounge use, private parking, and onsen entry.
Tsugaike Mountain Resort
Half-day and daily lift tickets can be purchased at Tsugaike ski resort, with beginner discounts available. Combination passes including equipment rental or a lunch voucher, as well as family and disability discounts, are also offered.
Hakuba Norikura Resort
Half-day, 1-day, multi-day, and monthly lift tickets are available at Hakuba Norikura ski resort. You can also purchase season passes with free onsen entry, or a Norikura-Cortina linked season pass.
Hakuba Cortina Resort
Half-day, 1-day, night skiing, and single ride tickets, together with season passes, can be purchased at Hakuba Cortina ski resort.
Rusutsu Lift Pass
Highlight: Epic Pass holders get 5 consecutive days at Rusutsu Resort with no restricted dates!
Home to some of Hokkaido’s longest and most powdery runs, Rusutsu Resort spans 3 mountains — West Mt, East Mt, and Mt Isola — all on one Rusutsu lift pass. Skiers and snowboarders can move swiftly between mountains with the resort’s effective and well-designed lift system.
At Japan Ski Experience, we offer to arrange pre-purchase of Rusutsu’s daily and multi-day passes as part of a Rusutsu ski holiday package. For those looking for more flexibility, 25-hour tickets, usable on non-consecutive days, are also available for pre-order. Other pass types — including half-day, night riding, and point passes — can be purchased from the ticketing offices at Rusutsu Resort.
Furano Lift Pass
Highlights: Ikon Pass holders get up to 7 days at Furano! Children aged 12 and under ski free!
Furano ski resort is comprised of 2 interconnecting zones — Kitanomine and Furano — with 9 ski lifts and 28 trails of world-class champagne powder. As of the 2025–26 season, Furano is a proud member of the Ikon Pass network, meaning Ikon Pass holders can access up to 7 days on Furano’s slopes as part of their global pass.
Hourly, daily, night skiing, single ride, and season passes are all available. Children aged 12 and under ski free — passes for children must be collected in advance from a lift ticket office. With Japan Ski Experience’s Furano ski holiday package, you can pre-order 1-day and multi-day lift passes for pick-up from the previous afternoon, so you can skip the queue and be first on the slopes!
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From accommodation to resort services, our dedicated team of Japan ski specialists are here to help you plan the perfect ski holiday. Enquire now and let us take care of all the essential arrangements for you!
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