The best thing about Japan is that there’s a ski destination or experience to suit everyone.
Whether you love groomers over powder, powder over moguls, moguls over trees, trees over terrain park, you’ll find it if you know where to go.
Choose your style from our list below, then pick the spot to match your vibe and boom, your next ski or snowboard trip is sorted.
For the family
Tomamu Ski Resort, Hokkaido
Imagine Disneyland on snow, and you have Hoshino Resorts Tomamu. With an 80-metre long heated indoor wave pool, an Ice Village with ice slide, ice skating rink and whiskey served in carved ice glasses plus nightly fireworks, a ski-in ski-out retail street, tubing, dog-sledding and even a Club Med. Plus super light dry powder and access to some backcountry for the advanced to expert skiers and boarders in the family.
Rusutsu Resort, Hokkaido
Rusutsu Resort, forty five minutes from Niseko in Hokkaido, is a theme park, literally. You’ll ski underneath and around rollercoasters and ferris wheels, which close for the winter but form part of the unique landscape at this resort. Ski and snowboard the wide powder runs and famed steeper tree runs here and slip into the resort base hotel for some arcade entertainment including a singing tree (no word of a lie).
Myoko Kogen, Honshu
Picture-perfect Myoko is laidback and mega family-friendly, with the Akakura Onsen side of the ski area particularly mellow while still offering a variety of fun runs to experience with skiers and boarders of all abilities. With lots of lodges and chalets to choose from in town, this is the top pick for a cosy and authentic Japanese experience. Bonus: There’s an excellent English-speaking day care at the base run by the delightful team at Myoko Snowsports. Did we mention proximity to X resorts?
Kiroro Resort, Hokkaido
Bought in 2021 by the team at Club Med, Kiroro Resort now serves up its famous mega metre by metre of powder snowfall with some all-inclusive fun on the side. Club Med Kiroro Peak welcomes children 12 years and older, while Club Med Kiroro Grand offers the Petit Club, Mini Club and Junior Club for all the kids. All-inclusive means entertainment, meals, lift passes and lessons are included. There’s also Yu Kiroro for self-contained condo accommodation.
Advanced to expert
Asahidake, Daisetsuzan Range Hokkaido
Mount Asahi is the tallest mountain in Hokkaido and part of the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group. Skiing and snowboarding on the volcano here in the Ishikari Mountains kind of feels like you’re on another planet: you get a lone cable car to the top, where geysers gush with steam and make for the most incredible photo opportunities. Beyond the pics, though, the skiing here is incredible; backcountry-style, some tree skiing, cat tracks and the like and best for advanced to expert skiers. Be warned, weather is variable.
Tanigawadake Tenjindaira, Gunma Honshu
If you’re here for the steeps, then bring a guide. Tenjin, as it’s known, translates to “sky god” and the terrain is some of the steepest in the country. Think of it as lift accessed backcountry and all the hazards that come with that. If you know what you’re doing, how to read terrain, have avalanche gear and that guide we mentioned then this is a skiing and boarding paradise. A ropeway will take you to the top, further hiking will get you into chutes and cliffs and super steep tree runs.
Backcountry Hakuba, Nagano Honshu
Head to the top of Happo One in Hakuba and be blown away by the 3000m + mountain peaks of the famed Japan Alps. One step out of the resort boundary and you’re in powder pitch paradise, but only if you know what you’re doing. Dave Enright from Evergreen Outdoor Center in Hakuba was initially a ski patroller who campaigned for people to be able to ride off-piste areas within resort boundaries. He now spends the season guiding people through the 3000m-high Hakuba mountain peaks and all the top-notch powder skiing they have to offer. Take him, enjoy a full day amongst the elements and thank us later.
Hakkoda, Aomori Prefecture northern Honshu
The snow monsters of Hakkoda are famous. Snow laden trees that take the form of giant white ghosts and provide a myriad of skiing and snowboarding playgrounds. With over 15 metres of fresh snowfall every year, Hakkoda is considered a mecca for powder lovers. A ropeway takes you to the very top of the 1324m-high peak of Mt Tamoyachidake, again we advise taking a local guide to explore the terrain. You can ski up to 7km on a single run, with 650m of vertical, but it’s the untracked terrain that lures advanced skiers and boarders.
Guided Life
Alpine Backcountry Guides, Tomamu
Uncover the expert side of Furano and surrounds with the team from Alpine Backcountry Guides. Founded by Australian John Morrell, who ran his first guided tour in central Hokkaido all the way back in 1984, the team here have been running since 2012 and is now looked after by his son, Sam. The two of them know just about every nook and cranny of the local area and resorts, and offer a range of tours including the Hokkaido Powder Belt and Asahidake and the Tokachi Mountains.
Backcountry Nozawa with Canyon Tours
Those heading to Nozawa Onsen, save yourself a day or two for a tour with Canyon Tours. They’re the only official English-speaking backcountry guides in Nozawa, and keep group sizes small to maximise the good times (and fresh lines). Led by experienced, seasoned guides to find you the untouched powder spots, the terrain will be catered for your level and interests.
Aki’s North Nagano Backcountry Tours in Madarao
Madarao is one of Nagano’s best winter wonderlands, but you need a local to show you through the best spots safely. See the backcountry powder fields and glades firsthand with tours run by local guides that assess the daily snow conditions to choose the best option. Bonus 1 – There’s not too much hiking, generally just 20 to 30 mins to reach the top of Madarao Mountain. Bonus 2 – You can get the best pizza or burger in town afterwards, because Aki’s North Nagano operation also runs a cafe serving them up.
Hokkaido Mountain Experience in Niseko
Hokkaido is known for its light, dry, amazing powder snow, thanks to those weather patterns which sweep in from Siberia and pick up the moisture from the sea along the way. All that dumps on the mountains here, and you can find the best tours to discover the powder with Hokkaido Mountain Experience. Get off the beaten track to find the very best in this snow-covered paradise in Moiwa and Niseko, whether you want resort-based guiding with lift-accessed backcountry or deep touring adventures on Mount Yotei.
This piece originally published in our The Japan Issue FREE e-mag. Read below ↓
