Japan Ski Resorts

Get a Quote for Skiing in Japan

GET A QUOTE
CAN I BOOK ONLINE?

Get a Quote

  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
Resorts

Japan Ski Experience was born out of a passion for skiing and snowboarding in ski resorts across Japan. Our company’s founders lived and travelled in Niigata, Nagano, Yamagata, Fukushima and Hokkaido prefectures, and have spent more than 20 years exploring Japan ski resorts. As independent Japan ski holiday specialists, we are trusted by 680 past guests.

Choosing the best ski resorts in Japan is largely a matter of personal preference, but we have used our local expertise to select the best 4 Japan ski resorts for international skiers and snowboarders. While local skiers and snowboarders flock to resorts which are great after a fresh dump of snow and have enough terrain for a single day, holidaymakers will prefer Japanese ski resorts that offer reliable snow conditions throughout the season and enough terrain for a week or more of skiing or snowboarding. Below are the 4 best Japan ski resorts to visit for a ski holiday, and we have provided a summary of each, together with some pros and cons, to give you a sense of which is the best Japan ski resort for you!

Japan’s Best Ski Resorts Head to Head!

NISEKO UNITED, HOKKAIDO

4 interlinked ski resorts, famed for unbeatable quantity and quality of powder snow, Niseko United is Japan’s most popular ski area.


  • Top Lift 1,200 Metres
  • 30 Lifts
  • 81 Courses
  • 940 Metres Vertical
  • 15+ Metres Annual Snowfall
  • Ikon Passes Accepted
  • Excellent Off-Piste
  • Price Range: ¥¥ - ¥¥¥¥¥
  • Pros: unbeatable powder, lively resort town, great facilities, international vibe, Youtei views
  • Cons: busier than most Japanese resorts, not an off the beaten track experience
DISCOVER NISEKO

HAKUBA VALLEY, NAGANO

Comprising 10 ski resorts, Hakuba Valley is the largest ski area in Japan with varied terrain and spectacular scenery.


  • Top Lift 1,830 Metres
  • 102 Lifts
  • 138 Courses
  • 1,071 Metres Vertical
  • 12+ Metres Annual Snowfall
  • Epic Passes Accepted
  • Good Off-Piste
  • Price Range: ¥¥ - ¥¥¥¥¥
  • Pros: variety of terrain, traditional and international resort areas, mountain scenery, cultural experiences
  • Cons: best experienced if you take the shuttle or drive around rather than staying in one place
DISCOVER HAKUBA

FURANO, HOKKAIDO

Bluebird powder is on offer at this family friendly Hokkaido ski resort renowned for its immaculate groomers and newly opened off-piste.


  • Top Lift 1,074 Metres
  • 9 Lifts
  • 28 Courses
  • 839 Metres Vertical
  • 8+ Metres Annual Snowfall
  • Kids Ski Free
  • Some Off-Piste
  • Price Range: ¥ - ¥¥¥¥
  • Pros: great for families - under 12s free!, bluebird powder, easy groomers, quiet runs
  • Cons: limited advanced terrain, not a large resort by international standards
DISCOVER FURANO

RUSUTSU, HOKKAIDO

Winner of ‘Japan’s Best Ski Resort’ for 4 of the past 6 years, Rusutsu‘s deep powder and superb conditions could make it the resort for you!


  • Top Lift 994 Metres
  • 18 Lifts
  • 37 Courses
  • 594 Metres Vertical
  • 13+ Metres Annual Snowfall
  • Epic Passes Accepted
  • Excellent Off-Piste
  • Price Range: ¥¥¥¥
  • Pros: great terrain and snow conditions, ski in ski out accommodation, Youtei views and fewer crowds
  • Cons: lacks a classic ski resort town
DISCOVER RUSUTSU

Japan Ski Resorts Maps

Have you ever wondered where in Japan most ski areas are located? There are currently 466 operating ski resorts in Japan, with the largest number being in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, followed by Nagano and Niigata on mainland Japan. Here are two maps showing Japan ski resort locations by prefecture.
JAPAN SKI RESORTS Choropleth map BY PREFECTURE

 

japan ski resorts map showing all ski areas by prefecture

HOKKAIDO SKI AREAS

Of all prefectures, Hokkaido has the most ski resorts. Being the northernmost area of Japan, it is the coldest and virtually the whole island is covered in snow throughout winter. Winds from Siberia sweep across the Sea of Japan bringing huge snow dumps, which result in about 11 meters of snowfall per winter at sea level! Excellent ski resorts therefore exist at incredibly low altitude, with the most famous of them all, Niseko starting around 260 meters.

NAGANO SKI AREAS

The mountainous regions of North and West Honshu receive huge volumes of snowfall, blown across from the sea of Japan. As in Hokkaido, many Honshu resorts sit at low altitude close to the coast and benefit from incredible snowfall, but during milder winters lower altitude resorts offer less reliable conditions than is the case on northerly Hokkaido. On Honshu it is therefore best to travel to ski resorts which sit at the highest altitudes, which is where Nagano’s big mountain terrain makes Nagano ski resorts like those found in Hakuba Valley the best option on mainland Japan.

If you’re interested in more details on any of the ski resorts that we haven’t covered above, we recommend checking out the Snow Japan website which provides details on every one of the 466 resorts still in operation, and is the most comprehensive resource on ski resorts in Japan we know of!

Book with Us

Across the best Japan ski resorts, we offer the chance to book accommodation including the latest early bird deals, together with resort services to create your perfect ski holiday package. If skiing and snowboarding in Japan is on your bucket list but you are not sure which is the right resort for you then ask our team of Japan ski resort specialists who are here to provide all the information you need.

DONE

2023-24 EARLY BIRDS OPEN

Niseko and Hakuba bookings have now opened for next season, with discounts of up to 30% for a limited time only!

 

GET AN EARLY BIRD QUOTE