Japan isn’t usually the first place that comes to mind when you think about skiing, but once you’ve experienced it, you’ll be left mesmerised! Stunning winter landscapes, extinct volcanoes and soft, powdery snow are only just the tip of the experiential iceberg. There are various facets to skiing in Japan that combine to give you an experience that’s truly unforgettable!

Perhaps the real magic of Japan’s ski slopes lies in the impeccable quality of its snow. With an average of 10 – 18 metres of incredibly dry champagne powder snow, it transforms Japan into a winter wonderland, brimming with the promise of exciting snow adventures. The mountains also accommodate all ability levels for skiing. So, whether you’re an expert with heli-skiing and snowboarding experience or an eager beginner, you’ll find the perfect slopes to challenge, encourage and thrill you. Steep bowls, tree runs, groomed runs or even off-piste, there’s something for everyone! Japan is sprawling with over 500 ski resorts, so you’ll definitely find one to fit your style, right from Hokkaido in the north, to the southernmost, subtropical Kyushu.

Niseko, on Hokkaido, whose reputation has been growing in the international skiing circles by leaps and bounds, furnishes its slopes with huge volumes of light, fluffy snow. While there are well-charted ski trails, this ‘Aspen of Asia’ also offers off trail skiing, giving you ample opportunities to explore the spectacular backcountry. Furano, also on Hokkaido, attracts equally large crowds, even though it is relatively less accessible from Sapporo. Nagano, the host for the 1998 Winter Olympics, is usually preferred, largely due to its proximity to Tokyo. The Winter Olympics have also ensured excellent infrastructure and tourist facilities. Most ski resorts also cater to those who simply want to enjoy the snow, and not necessarily ski or snowboard. Play zones for kids are a special godsend to families with small children.

If you haven’t had your heart’s fill of skiing during the day, then many small resorts offer “night game”, where you can ski under the warm glow of floodlights! If you’re lucky, you might even find an entire, untouched mountain, all to yourself.


Revel in après-ski that is wonderfully Japanese. While nightlife is minimal, you could rejuvenate after a day on the slopes in a natural outdoor onsen, and watch the snowflakes fall delicately around you. If you're uncomfortable with shedding your clothes, then try the footbaths, where you can simply dangle your feet in the warm water. They're especially relaxing after a long day of skiing! But there's more! There's the traditional kaiseki feast to be enjoyed, or you could try the nabe hotpot, some delicious ramen, guzzle a few local beers, or settle down with a cup of sake.

An interesting spectacle can be found at the Jigokudani hot springs near Yudanaka Onsen. The Japanese snow monkeys, in a unique way to escape the winter chill, frolic in the warm waters of hot springs. They don't mind being ogled at and photographed, and you might even catch them having snowball fights!

If you're taking a winter trip to Japan, then skiing apart, stop to enjoy the Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan's best-known winter festival in early February. You'll see grand, gigantic snow sculptures that will blow your mind away! You could also participate in the winter sports event organised alongside, and have the time of your life gliding down ice slides, snow rafting, and skiing on bamboo skis. The Asahikawa Winter Festival also occurs in early February, with similar themes and activities designed to captivate you and make your trip a memorable one!

Japan is a winter destination like no other. The exhilarating mountainside, the fascinating culture, the delicate cuisine and the soft, powdery snow are all reasons enough for heading there, for a ski vacation like no other!

Visit the Them You and Me page to find out more about Marie's work.

_{This post was originally published on Them You and Me blog and has been reposted on Executive Lifestyle with the permission of the author.
Image credit:
NISEKO Powder Power. by MIKI Yoshihito
Ace Pair Lift #4 traverse to Ann'nupuri by SukkhaP}

Did you enjoy this post? Please comment, like and share!