Japan
Japan offers some of the best and most affordable powder skiing you will find anywhere in the world. If you are a bit of a powder hound or wanna-be powderhound, then Japan should be high on your priority list.
Ski Resorts in Japan There are hundreds of ski resorts in Japan on the
north island of Hokkaido and the main island of
Honshu. Many of them don’t even rate a mention on maps or in tourist literature.
Well known resorts include
Niseko,
Rusutsu,
Furano ski resort and
Hakuba. If you’re a little nervous about travelling in a foreign land where English is not the first language, there's no need to worry as tourists are well catered for at these ski resorts.
For those wanting to get off the beaten track to get away from the crowds, be assured of fresh tracks, or experience the real Japan, there are many other options. Examples in
Hokkaido include
Asahidake,
Kamui Links,
Kitataisetsu and
Tomamu ski resort. In
Honshu there is good skiing at Shiga Kogen, Myoko Kogen and Nozawa Onsen. These resorts are increasing in popularity, so get there quickly before someone else steals all the freshies!
For a detailed comparison of mountain statistics and ratings, download our
Japan ski resort statistics comparison and the
Powderhounds resort ratings document.
The Infamous Japanese Powder Skiing or snowboarding in Japan provides you with amazing conditions. The weather systems that move across the Sea of Japan from Siberia are responsible for the deep, deep champagne powder.
Skiing in Niseko is probably most well known for the deep dry powder where it can snow for weeks without stopping. Many of the resorts are renowned for being deep, not steep, but there are certainly resorts with steep pitches as well.
The Cost of Skiing in Japan Many people have the misconception that Japan is an expensive country to visit, and whilst that might have been true a few years ago, skiing in Japan is now very cheap compared to
Europe,
USA,
Canada and Australia. Depending upon the currency exchange, lift tickets are generally between AU$28-50 per day, there are many accommodation options for less than AU$100 per night, and cheap meals are available.
Travel to Japan Japan is easily accessible from Australia being only about 12 hours flying time from the East Coast and even less from the West coast, and the time zones are fairly close so there are no problems with jet lag. Japan is also easy to get to from many other countries.
Why Go On a Ski or Snowboard Holiday to Japan? Some of the best benefits of skiing in Japan aren’t even related to skiing at all. The people are friendly and hospitable, the
food is delicious and healthy, and virtually all of the resorts have great facilities and accommodation. When you visit Japan for a ski holiday, you have the chance to immerse yourself in the wonderfully interesting Japanese culture.
However the best thing about skiing or boarding in Japan is the dry dry powder. It’s ichiban!