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Japan boasts an impressive number of pristine recreational opportunities. Popular during the summer months for well-maintained hiking and biking trails, Japanese parks and wilderness areas quickly transition into snowy wonderlands during the winter. If you’re looking for an escape from the usual urban landscape, or indeed the usual skiing trip, be sure to check out one or more of the following places to ski in Japan:
Niseko
No surprises here, but Niseko is Japan’s best known ski resort for good reason. Located smack-dab in the middle of the island of Hokkaido, this resort boasts pristine slopes, huge dumps of snow and a very long ski season, not to mention an absolutely stunning view of the nearby Mount Yotei. This is Japan’s snowy gem with some good late night skiing and some exciting back country options. With an average of 20 metres of snow a year, there is often plenty of fresh powder to boot. To give you an idea, here’s a video demonstrating the first snow of the year which fell this November.
Hakuba
Hakuba is tucked away in the Japanese Alps and was the centre of ski action during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. As well as the fantastic snow and range of runs, there is some great back country options from here too. One of the bonuses of skiing on the mainland is the abundance of hot spring baths (onsen) and traditional accommodation. There are plenty of things to see in the area with sights such as Matsumoto castle nearby and the hot spring bathing “snow monkey”.
Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen is one of the oldest ski resorts in Japan, but that in no way means the destination has become obsolete. Instead, Zao continues to offer great snow, an exciting range of slopes, but also the unique spectacle of snow monsters–Aomori fir trees covered in frozen snow and resembling frightening winter creatures. Those unhinged by the presence of Zao’ snow monsters can ease their frazzled nerves (or sore skiing muscles) by relaxing in one of the resort’s many hot spring baths.
Nozawa Onsen
Considered the birthplace of Japanese skiing, Nozawa is a traditional hot spring town on the edge of the Japanese Alps. It is not the best skiing in Japan, but arguably offers the most traditional slice of skiing culture. After a day on the slopes, stay in a traditional Ryokan, experience the hot spring baths and good hospitality. On the January 15th each year, the town celebrates the ‘Dosojin Matsuri’ or fire festival which combines, half-naked men, wooden poles, straw, fire and lots of sake – an incredible festival.
Gala Yuzawa
This wins the prize for most easily accessed ski slope. Jump on the bullet train in Tokyo and in just over 1 hour, you find yourself on the Gondola taking you from the gates of the Shinkansen station to the top of the mountain. A great day out skiing from Tokyo.
Skiing in Japan is some of the best in the world, but is completely different to anywhere else in the world with its huge slice of Japanese culture. Japan is also a lot cheaper than many ski resorts in terms of lift passes (From £24 for a one day pass), food and drink. There are over 500 ski resorts in Japan. Anyone into their skiing or snowboarding needs to discover Japan.