SKIING IN JAPAN

Why ski Japan? Reliable powder snow, spectacular scenery, natural hot springs, night skiing, culture and fantastic cuisine just to name a few reasons. There are many regions you can ski in Japan. Hokkaido is the coldest and most northern Japanese island and receives some of the best snow there is. Honshu is the main island of Japan and features more than 349 ski resorts.

The most popular resort on Hokkaido is Niseko, a resort well-known with skiers and snowboarders throughout the world. Hirafu Village is the main village of Niseko with lots of restaurants, shops and nightlife. Furano is one of Japans most famous ski resorts, although relatively unknown outside Japan. After a big snow fall there is often untracked powder for days. Rusutsu is a highlight for powder seekers with its fall line tree skiing easily accessed straight off lifts. Tomamu is one of Japan’s best family ski resorts with extensive beginner and intermediate terrain and some excellent tree skiing to keep powder hunters happy. The resort has a wave pool, ice village and multitude of restaurants.

The main island of Honshu is home to Hakuba with 9 ski areas accessing over 200 runs and offers everything from gentle beginner slopes to steeps, bumps and long groomers and of course plenty of fresh powder. While in Hakuba take a break from the snow to see the snow monkeys at Jigokundani Hot Springs. The resort of Nozawa Onsen combines great skiing, history, charm, tradition and hospitality all blended together in one wonderful location. The village is famous for more than 30 public hot springs dotted throughout the village. Shiga Kogen is the largest ski area in Honshu with 21 interlinking ski areas and 80 kilometers of trails. Myoko Kogen is perfect for those looking for an authentic Japanese experience and is made up of 10 different ski areas largely linked together by shuttle bus.

Photo credit: Rusutsu