Kagura Ski Resort (Niigata) かぐらスキー場
At an altitude of 1845m, Kagura Ski Resort is highly regarded among snow enthusiasts for its excellent powder snow. The resort, which opens in November and remains skiable until early spring, offers powder snow almost every day during the snow season. Although the area is known for its strong winds, the high efficiency of the cable car system makes it especially popular among snowboarders.
WHITE WORLD Oze Iwakura (Gunma Prefecture)
Despite being close to the metropolis of Tokyo, it boasts an enormous amount of snowfall. This is the remarkable feature of Oze Iwakura. The lowest ski trail is at an altitude of 1703m, so you can imagine the overall snow conditions of the ski resort.
Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort (Nagano Prefecture) 白馬五竜スキー場
You can ski from late November to Golden Week. With an altitude of 1676m, there is always a large amount of snow, and it is all fluffy powder snow. This is the secret to its immense popularity. The slopes are well-maintained and very wide, so even beginners can enjoy the thrill of powder snow.
Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort (Nagano Prefecture)
At an altitude of 1831m, Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort is definitely the place to enjoy dry powder snow. Although the cable cars here can be somewhat affected by the weather, the snow quality at the top and bottom of the mountain is completely different. Quickly advance to the ranks of advanced skiers, as the best snow quality is at the peak.
Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort (Gunma Prefecture) 丸沼高原スキー場
The peak altitude is 2000m! The cable car can take skiers to the top of the mountain in one go! Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort's snow park is fully equipped with facilities, making it one of the must-visit ski resorts for snowboarders in Japan. When there is enough powder snow, the resort caters to the skiers' craving for powder by not grooming the snow, allowing them to fully enjoy the powder snow.
Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort (Nagano Prefecture) Tsugaike Kogen Ski-jo
Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort, located in the Hakuba area of the Northern Alps, is the largest ski resort in the region. With a stable snow depth and quality at an elevation of 1704 meters, there is never a day that disappoints snow enthusiasts. The resort has non-compacted snow trails, making it ideal for advanced skiers to enjoy tree runs and off-piste skiing. In spring, around March, there is also a rare opportunity for helicopter skiing.
Shiga Kogen Ski Resort Central Area (Nagano Prefecture)
The central area of Shiga Kogen gathers 13 ski resorts. Facing so many ski resorts at once, you might feel a bit overwhelmed about where to go! This large ski resort with natural snow quality is a must-visit in any skier's journey! Enjoy a 3.5km long ski trail from the 2054m high Higashidateyama and feel the thrill of a long descent. No matter what, you won't be able to ski through this entire area in one day, so make sure to allocate enough days to fully explore Shiga before you go!
SKIJAM Katsuyama (Fukui Prefecture)
In the Kansai, Chukyo, and Hokuriku regions, SKIJAM Katsuyama in Fukui Prefecture is the most popular ski resort. With an elevation of 1320m, it is not considered high among Japan's many high-altitude ski resorts, but its record-breaking annual snowfall makes it a highly talked-about resort on the Sea of Japan side. The abundant snowfall ensures excellent snow quality, and the integrated SKI IN SKI OUT resort design layout makes it the perfect choice for family ski trips.
Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort (Nagano Prefecture)
The natural terrain slopes and the scenic beauty of nature have brought enough popularity to Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort. Skiing on powder snow in the embrace of nature has become the ultimate pursuit for snow enthusiasts coming here. With an elevation of 2,000 meters and the lowest point at 1,550 meters, the snow here hardly melts, and you will rarely see partially melted slopes!
Kawaba Ski Resort (Gunma Prefecture) 川場スキー場
Kawaba Ski Resort, which is only a 2-hour drive from Tokyo, boasts an elevation of 1870m and exceptional snow quality. The snow park is well-equipped with various features, making it a favorite among snowboarders. It also has a multi-story parking facility, which is relatively rare in Japan.
