Best Skiing in Japan 2024 – The Japan Powder Skiing Guide for Experts

Researching where to go for the best skiing in Japan? You are in the right place.

With 500 plus ski resorts in a country made up of 14125 islands, discovering the best place to ski in Japan for advanced to experts can feel overwhelming.

Here we break down our favorite Japan ski resorts and backcountry destinations from Hokkaido to the Hakuba Valley ski areas. Discover the best powder skiing in Japan plus how to make your bucket list Japan ski trips a reality for 2024.

Highlights covered in the updated Japan skiing guide:

 

  • Our ranking of the best ski resorts in Japan for experts
  • The best time to ski in Japan, including when not to go
  • Skiing in Hakuba vs Hokkaido – terrain and powder snow quality
  • What to expect with weather and snow conditions
  • How to get there and make it all happen

Tip for Snowboarders

While snowboarders will of course find this skiers guide extremely useful, be sure to check out our recently updated guide to snowboarding Japan >>

Best Ski Resorts in Japan for Powder

There are over 500 ski resorts in Japan. Yes, that’s double compared to what you can find when skiing in Canada. Even the USA, a country 26 times larger than the land of the rising sun, has less ski resorts. Truly impressive.

You will find ski resorts near Tokyo, but most of the best winter destinations for experts are found on the island of Hokkaido and in Nagano (home to the popular Hakuba ski resorts), Nigata and Iwate prefectures on the main island of Honshu.

To make the most of your Japan skiing research, let’s start with ski resorts in Hokkaido.

japan powder skiing in hakuba vs hokkaido
Hokkaido resort destinations are your home base to some of the best Japan powder skiing and snowboarding conditions. Knowing when to go on a trip is key.

Hokkaido Ski Resorts

Without a doubt, Hokkaido Japan receives some of the most consistent and driest powder on Earth. When it comes to Hokkaido ski destinations, most tourists flock to Niseko.

However, there are good reasons to skip Niseko all together. Many of our favorite zones for Japan powder skiing and snowboarding are far away from busy Niseko. The Furano backcountry for example.

We cover all of this in our updated destination guide: Skiing in Hokkaido

Curious on where to ski in Hakuba? That’s up next.

Hakuba Ski Resorts

The Hakuba Valley is home to 9 ski resorts and of course the famous Hakuba ski village.

While you will find online comparisons of Niseko vs Hakuba, in our opinion, skiing and snowboarding in Hakuba takes the prize. Especially if you are an expert. Bigger mountains, better spaced tree skiing and epic backcountry touring options. 

Continue reading to learn more about the snow, terrain and what to expect when snowboarding and skiing Japan.

ski in Hakuba Japan
Discover where to ski in Hakuba Japan

While no place on Earth can guarantee powder, it’s hard to go wrong with any of these zones. From Hakuba to Hokkaido, chances are you will get to experience legendary Japow.

The deep powder snow in Japan is quite possibly the driest powder snow on the planet. (Although New Mexico and high altitude central Chile’s ski resorts may put up a good debate, but less consistent when it comes to accumulation).

Best Skiing in Japan: Hakuba vs Hokkaido

The differences between these famous Japan powder skiing and snowboarding destinations may be subtle to most. But if you are reading this, they probably mean a lot. Especially if you are an advanced-expert skier or snowboarder spending most of your time riding powder, off-piste or in the backcountry.

Here you are going to find out what we see as the main differences between snowboarding and skiing in Hakuba vs Hokkaido, and what it means for you on your hunt for Japanese powder skiing this coming winter.

Let’s start by covering the Japan ski season- When and more importantly, when not to ski Japan.

japan ski tours

The Best Time For Skiing in Japan

The ski season in Japan runs roughly from mid December and can stretch into late April in some areas. From January to early March, the snow is deep. Very deep. This is the time to snowboard and ski the best powder in Japan. 

Some ski areas can receive 50 feet of snow (15m) or more per season on a big year. While you can find powder in late December and early January, the best time to ski powder in Japan is mid-January through February.

Here’s our month by month detailed breakdown on the best time to ski Japan.

January (AKA Japanuary)

Go in January to catch the legendary snowstorms that roll off the Sea of Japan. Generally by mid January, the snow pack in Hokkaido and Nagano is deep enough to cover most of the dwarf bamboo, locally known as sasa. The the tree skiing starts to open up as well. You also get to hashtag #japanuary #japow #japowder to annoy your jealous friends back home.

February

Ski Japan in February as the storms continue, the snow pack is deep and the backcountry truly opens up. The tree skiing really turns on as well. As the snowpack builds, the lower and tighter tree branches get covered. The spacing really opens up allowing for better continuous fall line runs in the trees, even in Hokkaido where the trees are tighter compared to tree skiing in Hakuba.

March

Go in March to catch the tail end of true winter storms, more daylight and endless backcountry touring options in the national parks and high peaks finally appearing from the clouds.

March experiences warmer days as well, which can be a nice change from the frigid days you get mid-winter, especially in Hokkaido where temps can drop to -10F (-20C) or colder. Do however expect a higher chance of catching a rain event in March.

Also, when the snow comes out, it will quickly change the snow quality from good to well…junk.

By late March, Japan is pretty much done. Sure you can do some ski mountaineering on the volcanoes, but powder days are pretty much long gone. Time to start planning new powder destinations- like skiing South America from July to September.

When Not to Ski in Japan

There is one month we suggest not booking a ski trip to Japan. Ever!

December should be avoided unless you are happy sticking to the groomed runs and dealing with Christmas and New Years Eve crowds. Niseko in Hokkaido is an absolute zoo. In fact Niseko is crowded most of the season and we tend to avoid this area all together. There are plenty of other great places to ski in Japan.

Generally the snowpack in December is not deep enough for quality backcountry or off-piste skiing and the tree skiing is still very low tide and dangerous with sasa, low lying branches and slightly buried hazards.

The 2017 ski season was an exception as December was deep, but overall it is best to wait until the snow bases build in January.

Should I Ski Japan During Chinese New Year?

You may have read about Chinese New Year and the increase in crowds at the Japanese ski resorts. After multiple seasons guiding ski tours in Japan, we can say we rarely see Chinese tourists skiing off piste or in the backcountry.

You will certainly notice an increase in prices, resort traffic, restaurants and lift lines, but if you are here for the resort off-piste powder skiing and backcountry touring, you simply make sure you book your lodging or guided backcountry tours early and you will have little issues except the occasional restaurant overbooking and parking.

Upcoming Chinese New Years:

  • February 10, 2024 (year of the dragon)
  • January 29, 2025 (year of the snake)

Japan Snow and Winter Weather Patterns

The same fabled Siberian Flow brings cold snow to both Hokkaido and and Honshu. This cold air, moves down from Siberia, crosses the warm Sea of Japan and then hits the mountains of the Japanese Alps on Honshu, or Hokkaido.

When the flow sets up favorably, low pressure systems sit in the Northwest Pacific and a constant NW flow brings steady amounts of precipitation for days.

Depending on where the weather systems that drive the Siberian flow sit, is what normally determines which areas receive the most of the precipitation.

Snowing multiple inches per hour, all day is a pretty common experience throughout Japan. This is what you are here for!

What area gets the most snow?

Some winters, Hokkaido sees the constant precipitation. Other years it is possible for Hokkaido to be drier, and Hakuba to be seeing regular snow. During some winters, the snowfalls may be just as consistent in each place.

The good news is both Hakuba and Hokkaido can experience these weather patterns of slow consistent powder snowfall. Experiencing this phenomenon is what we all come to Japan for!

Hokkaido vs Hakuba Skiing Terrain: What to Expect 

A little known fact is that around 70% of Japan is mountainous. However, the topography varies considerably from regions, and between islands.

Skiable Terrain in Hakuba and The Japanese Alps

Hakuba, is a mecca for big mountain terrain in Japan. Its’ prime location in the Japanese Alps gives it climbable ski lines as high as 9185ft. The top lifts of the valley’s ski resorts range from 4265ft to around 5900ft.

With valley bottom sitting at around 2625ft, this provides descents between 1500ft to 3900ft (1600m-1200m) from the ski lifts, and up to 6500ft (or 2000m) if you have favorable weather and legs to ski from mountaintop after a backcountry tour!  

Big Hakuba alpine terrain awaits those eager to explore in the Japanese Alps. Along with vertical relief, the Japanese Alps also have a great variety of terrain.

Large alpine faces, ridge lines, couloirs, tree line glades, and an abundance of great steep tree skiing keeps a devoted following of hardcore Hakuba skiers and split boarders coming back season after season.

Epic Pass Discounts in Hakuba

If you own an Epic Pass, there are some major advantages to considering skiing Hakuba including free lift tickets. Learn about the Epic Pass Japan discount.

Hokkaido’s Ski Terrain 

 

Hokkaido’s mountains are different in numerous ways. With the highest mountain in Hokkaido topping out at 7500ft (2291m), all the mountains on this island are smaller than the Japanese Alps. However, this does not mean there are any shortage of areas or powder to ski.

Some prominent volcanoes provide the centers of backcountry ski activity on this island, and the greatest vertical relief. Yotei and Annapuri in the Niseko area, and the Daisetsuzan National Park (Taisetsuzan) volcanic chain in Central Hokkaido.

telemark powder skiing in japan

Much of the rest of the island provides tree covered mountainous terrain. Vertical relief is around 1500ft-2700ft, (500-900m) and typical topography is treed and more gentle than found around Hakuba.

While there are areas with steeper riding in Hokkaido, visitors who prioritize Hokkaido come for its powder snow quality and consistency rather than its ability to provide a variety in steep terrain.

Hokkaido powder is some of the best in the world and generally speaking is still not getting tracked out too quickly. One exception- Niseko.

Niseko Powder

Niseko powder skiing and snowboarding is indeed high quality. Unfortunately Niseko has become a total zoo for powder hounds and partiers. We prefer to skip the Niseko powder frenzy all together and head to less crowded ski resorts in Hokkaido. The powder in locations out of Otaru and Furano is just as plentiful and dry and you don’t have to fight for fresh tracks like you do at the Niseko resorts.

Looking for a Hokkaido ski guide or backcountry powder trip a bit more off the beaten track?

One major difference between Hokkaido and Hakuba is the potential for rain events, and more importantly the snow condition’s recovery from these rain events.

Winter Weather and Snow Conditions in Hakuba

Being located further south on the main island of Honshu, Hakuba is statistically subject to greater chances of rain events into the alpine.

When the upper airflow shifts, warm air from the Philippines can invade and create temperature spikes, rain events, and spring like conditions at any point during Hakuba’s winter season.

The good news, is that more often than not the warm air is quickly replaced by a Siberian flow, and the snow in Hakuba quickly returns to the famous Japanese powder.

Due to its proximity to the ocean and the effects of orographic lift, when the snow does turn on in Hakuba, it can really turn on. Large overnight snow events at cold temperatures are common. Also, as we talk more about later, the terrain can handle these larger snow events.

Best time to ski in Hakuba for powder? Go in mid January to mid February.

Winter Weather and Snow in Hokkaido

Hokkaido on the other hand, being located further North, is less susceptible to rain events, but unfortunately they are not impossible.

These warm air events still affect the island, but not to the same degree as they can in the Japanese Alps. There are also areas of Hokkaido that due to their topography and proximity to the ocean, receive the large overnight snowfalls that can be seen in the Japanese Alps, but overall Hokkaido ski resorts see slightly smaller (albeit consistent) amounts of precipitation in general.

Best time to ski powder in Hokkaido? January-early/mid March. January and February are the prime months for deep powder and guided Hokkaido ski tours.

I’ve been skiing for over 50 years, from Iceland to Chile and everywhere in between, and I have never seen snow like Hokkaido.

powder snowboarding in hokkaido @markwelshphoto
True Japan powder snowboarding on a classic Hokkaido powder day @markwelshphoto

Getting To Japan

OK, so we’ve convinced you that Japan powder skiing is a bucket list adventure. Now let’s discuss how to get there for your Japow vacation:

Getting to Japan is quite simple from North America as most major airlines have flights to Tokyo’s two main airports; Haneda and Narita. Some flights connect in Hong Kong, but it is pretty easy to book direct flights from Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Washington DC and New York. Check Google Flights for good options.

Getting to Hakuba’s Ski Resorts

Hakuba, home to 9 Nagano ski resorts is located in the north Japanese Alps. Getting to the Hakuba powder involves a flight to Tokyo (Haneda or Narita airports), and a bus, or combination of train and bus to arrive in the Hakuba Valley. Expect travel times of 5-7 hours to get from Tokyo to your accommodation in Hakuba, depending on weather and road conditions.

You have options ranging from shared and private ground transfers, car rentals and trains. 

Reliable taxi and transfer companies to Hakuba are Chuo Taxi and Nagano Snow Shuttle.

Getting to Hokkaido’s Ski Resorts

Leaning towards skiing powder in Hokkaido? Upon arrival to Tokyo, to get to most Hokkaido ski resorts it is best to book a domestic flight to Sapporo-Chitose airport (CTS airport code). Your international flight may offer a connection with ANA. Or book a separate ticket. Low cost Japanese airlines offer good fares; Jetstar, Peach and Vanilla airlines, but watch the strict baggage allowance restrictions or you will be paying extra fees.

Travel tip: If you want to skip flying into Tokyo, there are international flights direct into CTS. Check out Hawaiian Airlines direct from Hawaii. Other options are international connections via Hong Kong on Air China straight into CTS. 

From Chitose getting to your choice of Hokkaido ski areas is not too challenging. Companies like Resort Liner offer coach bus services direct to most powder meccas and ski areas including Niseko, Rusutsu, Furano, Kiroro, Kokusai, Tomamu, and more.

Ground transfer times can vary from 1.5-3 hours and of course can be influenced by Hokkaido’s famous winter weather. (AKA heavy snowfall)

Guided Powder Adventures to Japan

Still undecided where to ski in Japan? Hakuba or Hokkaido? Check out these guided tours focused on the best off-piste, sidecountry and backcountry terrain from January to February.

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