Best Time to Ski in Japan

Japan is a beautiful country that attracts flocks of tourists from all over the world all year round, even in the cold winter. This is because Japan is home to amazingly more than 600 ski resorts of any size. With so many ski resorts to visit, one of the most important questions to consider is when the best time to ski in Japan is. It may be challenging to answer this question because most Japanese ski resorts have their own character and each of them may open at different times. Well, here you will have a look at a full guide to the best time to go skiing in Japan. We hope you will prepare yourself well.

The Most Favored Winter Activity in Japan

Japan Ski Season (Typical Opening Times Nationwide)

Japan is home to hundreds of ski resorts mostly located in Hokkaido, Nagano, and Niigata, which run typically from late December to early April because the country always has snow from mid-December until early April. Generally speaking, the best time to ski in Japan runs between January and late February, namely the peak season. Even so, with so many ski resorts nationwide, actual opening and closing times vary according to snow conditions, location, and policy of each ski resort in a different area. For example, Snowtown Yeti, on the southern slope of Mount Fuji, may start in late October, and some may last until staggering May.

There are many factors involved when it comes to the best time to ski in Japan. For superb powder and fresh tracks, January and February are great times to visit. For extraordinary winter festivals, you can go at the end of January and the start of February. For small crowds and a budget, pre-Christmas and March to April are ideal times to experience. Overall, the best time to ski in Japan depends on your priorities. Notably, the actual operating periods are dependent on local weather conditions, with updated information accessible on the ski resort website as needed.

Skiing in Japan

Pre-Christmas (October to Early December)

Some of Japan's ski resorts open early in the peak season because of snowfall and location. Located on the northernmost island, the ski season in Hokkaido, which had snow in early December, mostly begins earlier than in the Kanto region and central area. Hokkaido ski resorts like Niseko, Rusutsu, and Kiroro are good options if you want to avoid crowds and enjoy fresh snow powder. The early ski season brings very few visitors and few skiers for fresh powder. Some resorts still offer on-piste trails and guides that suit both beginners and intermediates, even on pre-Christmas weekends. What's more, lift tickets and season passes during this time are less expensive than in the peak season. You're able to enjoy a discount at some ski resorts.

There are several other early-opening ski resorts besides those in Hokkaido. Snowtown Yeti, located on the southern slope of Mount Fuji, opens surprisingly in early October at the earliest for its artificial snow. Sayama Ski Resort, a compact resort in Saitama Prefecture that typically opens in late October, provides a unique indoor skiing experience for beginner skiers. Overall, the pre-Christmas ski season is an ideal time for a fresh experience. You can enjoy small crowds, discounted fees, and fresh powder during this time. If you are looking for something special, such a ski trip is suitable for you.

Christmas Day to New Year's Day (Christmastide)

Christmas Day to New Year's Day is considered the first stage of the peak season in Japan. It is reputedly the most popular ski time for both Japanese and international holidaymakers. The holiday period runs from Christmas Eve to several days after New Year's Day. During this time, the snow begins to accumulate in large amounts. Besides a large amount of powder, visitors come to ski during Christmas Day and New Year's Day while experiencing local seafood festivals and New Year torch skiing, enjoying New Year's Eve Dinner and watching Christmas Eve fireworks. You can enjoy the excellent silky powder and well-groomed on-piste trails at some big resorts like Niseko, Rusutsu, or Tomamu, but you need to get ready for the intractable congestion. Many of the ski resorts are extremely crowded, and rates on hotels and ski tickets may be on a steep rise. There are some recommended ski resorts worth visiting if you're really not available outside of the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Karuizawa Resort and Echigo-Yuzawa Resort are easily accessible for their less-congested sightseeing and less competitive overnight stays. Anyway, make sure you make a reservation as early as possible.

January and February

January and February are the optimal times for a great number of Western and Asian visitors for spending their winter holidays. During this time, the cold weather blesses many resorts with high-quality, consistent powder at their most vibrant. Its light, fluffy texture has mass appeal for ski enthusiasts. You're more likely to have a variety of well-groomed terrain, long, fresh tracks, and ski-snowboard lessons to experience in Niseko, Hakuba, and Nozawa Onsen. Besides, a wide range of accommodations are widely available. You can choose from well-appointed hotels, inns, traditional Japanese ryokan, private pensions, and so on, ranging from luxury type to standard type. And surrounding restaurants, shops, and other recreational amenities are in full swing.

For festivals, the most renowned ski resorts and villages are bustling and at their most vibrant. There are lots of winter events held between January and February because of the consistent snow conditions. One of the most spectacular is the Sapporo Ice Festival, which takes place in early February in Hokkaido. The festival is famous for incredible ice sculptures, snow slides, and food stalls. Other events, like the Hakuba Valley Ski Jumping Competition and the World Cup races at Naeba, are fascinating besides skiing. If you want to experience Japan's stunningly festive atmosphere in winter, these two months are an excellent time to visit.

It is noteworthy that there will be congestion from late January to early February and that the prices of ski passes and lodging are higher than at the start and end of the ski season. So making your reservations ahead of schedule is essential. You may take advantage of the lower crowds in late February.

March and April

March and April go into the end of the ski season in Japan. The weather in most lower-elevated or southern parts of ski resorts gets increasingly warmer from March. The higher temperature brings lower snowfall and passable powder. March and April are in the closing stages of the ski season, during which, however, there are maybe fewer choices of ski resorts and surrounding shops, restaurants, and other facilities. In some ski resorts in higher elevations or the northernmost areas, there is still great fun to be had. Backcountry ski resorts like Asahidake, Hakkoda, and Tenjindaira are ideal options for backcountry skiing and riding, with all the snow from earlier in the season remaining wonderful even at the end of the ski season. Some ski resorts during these two months still provide snow-covered trails for beginner and intermediate skiers even with not much snowfall for off-piste skiing. Kiroro Resort, for instance, has the stability of quality powder both at the beginning and end of the ski season. If you want to avoid a huge crowd in the peak season, Kiroro Resort between March and April is well worth a visit. The decreasing number of snowy days brings some of the ski resorts more fine and clear weather, which offers wonderful views. You can enjoy backcountry ski tours characterized by fresh powder and almost uncrowded slopes. You will be given a tour to hike the peak at Mt. Yoichi, enjoy a well aprés ski in Otaru, and experience Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. What's more, starting in mid-March, discounted lift passes and lodging are available. In brief, March and April are the best months to visit if you're looking for a great deal, with very few crowds, and nice weather.

Ski Tips

Although ski season in Japan typically runs from mid-December until early April, the actual dates vary depending on local weather conditions and the year. So you should keep abreast of updated information accessible on the ski resort website as needed in case you miss the best ski time of some resorts.

The end of the ski season in Japan falls from March to even early May. Despite the temperature creeping up in spring, Japan during this time can be still very cold, so be ready for some warm and water-resistant clothes and ski equipment.

No matter what time of the ski season you choose to ski in Japan, it is essential to reserve your lift tickets and lodging much in advance, especially if you intend to experience the busy season.

Most resorts in peak season are packed with large crowds. To avoid crowds as much as possible, you can choose to ski at smaller resorts and do the skiing on weekdays and during non-school breaks.

Enjoy the Snow of Japan

Japan has so many skier-friendly ski resorts in different areas that it is quite challenging to decide the best time to ski in the country. But, understanding about the opening dates and highlights of some major ski resorts will allow you to enjoy a fantastic skiing experience, as well as outstanding festivities and shows. In any event, it is necessary to arrange your itinerary. If you have a hard decision to make, Odynovo will help you organize your itinerary. Aiming to meet your needs, we ensure an unparalleled ski experience for you.