Japan is famous the world over for its first-class ski and snowboard resorts with exceptional facilities and diverse attractions. Known as the powder Mecca of the world, Japan is the snowiest place on earth with Aomori City (Hakkoda Mountain) receiving 26 feet of snow a year. It’s no wonder thousands of avid snowboarders make the pilgrimage to this mystical land with their snowboards, returning year after year.Our list will guide you to the ten best places to go snowboarding in US.
Season
The season officially starts in December and lasts until April, with the best conditions typically in January and February. The three main areas for skiing and snowboarding are Gifu and Nagano on the main island of Honshu, the northern island of Hokkaido, and Niigata on the Sea of Japan coast.
Ski Areas
The three main areas for skiing and snowboarding are Gifu and Nagano on the main island of Honshu, the northern island of Hokkaido, and Niigata on the Sea of Japan coast. With more than 500 ski resorts to choose from across the country, here’s a selection of 10 of our favorites.
1.Niseko
Niseko is one of the most popular ski and snowboard resorts in Japan, and for good reason. With near-bottomless powder and a vibrant social scene, what’s not to love? Whether you just started your snowboarding journey or consider yourself a veritable pro, I’m pretty sure Niseko has the perfect trail (and snow) for you. Niseko’s popularity has also led to its accessibility. After flying in to the New Chitose Airport, you can now conveniently hop on one of the buses leading directly to one of the resorts. Niseko is actually comprised of four separate resorts:
Grand Hirafu
Niseko Village
Hanazono
An’nupuri
What to Expect at Niseko:
50.8km of slopes
32 Ski Lifts
Peak: 1,188m
Snowparks: 2
Nightskiing: Grand Hirafu has the largest night-skiing area in Japan!
2.Rusutsu
Rusutsu is deservedly one of the best places to snowboard in Japan. The Rusutsu village is quickly becoming a premier destination for skiing and snowboarding. It has gained so much popularity that the main Rusutsu resort has invested massive amounts into expanding lift access and facilities. Rusutsu is not quite as big as Niseko but it’s also much quieter. It’s still possible to spend an entire day riding trees without bumping into anyone!
Rusutsu has many quirky features, such as a trippy merry-go-round in the main resort lobby and an abandoned theme park that you can snowboard past/through.
What to Expect at Rusutsu:
42km of slopes
18 Ski Lifts
Peak: 994m
Snowparks: 2 (1 being “Freedom park”, a park made from fallen trees and natural features)
Nightskiing: Yes, though not as extensive as Niseko
3. Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen is an amazing place, steeped in history and Japanese culture. It also happens to offer incredible snowboarding terrain! Nozawa Onsen is centered around a traditional Japanese village with a number of wonderful bubbling hot springs (onsens). Building on humble origins, Nozawa Onsen has quickly expanded, becoming one of the most popular places to snowboard in Japan. Boasting broader terrain diversity than the average Japanese resort, there are even some steeper slopes available for expert riders.
What to Expect at Nazawa Onsen:
44.5km of slopes
17 Ski Lifts
Peak: 1650m
Snowparks: 1 plus a separate halfpipe.
Nightskiing: Yes, though relatively small area.
4.Sahoro
Beginners will love the snow and terrain at the Sahoro resort. There are plenty of smaller, less intimidating inclines where you can test your skills without getting out of your depth. It’s considered a medium-sized mountain, so even the more seasoned snowboarders in your group will still have fun without feeling too unchallenged. If you’re a family looking for a destination snowboard trip in Japan, Sahoro is one to consider.
What to Expect at Sahoro:
25km of slopes
8 Ski Lifts
Peak: 1030m
Snowparks: 1
Nightskiing: Yes, 2 runs available daily.
5. Asahidake
Being on the highest mountain peak in Hokkaido and further inland than other resorts, Asahidake produces some of the best powder in the world. On the right day Asahidake is arguably the very best place to snowboard in Japan. So why didn’t I place it higher on the list? Having just one ski lift, Asahidake is more of a gateway into some amazing backcountry. There isn’t much of a central hub and it lacks the facilities of other snowboarding venues. Asahidake is consequently more for the advanced off-piste rider in search of perfect powder. Beginners and intermediates will have way more fun elsewhere.
What to Expect at Asahidake:
6.7km of slopes
1 Ski Lift
Peak: 1600m
Snowparks: N0
Nightskiing: No
6. Kiroro
With new accommodation and an excellent lift infrastructure, Kiroro is definitely one of the best places to snowboard in Japan.
Fortunately, the days of Kiroro confiscating your lift pass when caught out of bounds are long gone. Now backcountry riding is positively encouraged!
The lift access is excellent and those willing to hike will have access to a huge amount of side country/backcountry terrain.
The lodgings are top-of-the-line and offer guests the chance to wind down in the spa after a long day cruising Japanese powder (it’s a hard life).
What to Expect at Kiroro:
30km of slopes
10 Ski Lifts
Peak: 1180m
Snowparks: Previously had a halfpipe and small snow park but neither opened this year.
Nightskiing: Yes
7.Kurodake
Kurodake 黒岳 (1984m) is an impressive buttress to the high Daisetsuzan plateau at the northern end of the Daisetsuzan Range. It’s a popular backcountry ski destination, due to its ease of access via the Sounkyo Ropeway, whisking skiers to 1300m, close to the treeline. Flanked by deep gorges lined with precipitous cliffs and bluffs, the peak is a sight to behold. For the intermediate backcountry skier with good steep-skiing and ski touring skills, this bread-and-butter route to the rocky summit and back is a fine objective in good weather. For reference we’ve also included a descent to the Sounkyo Village on skis, although most skiers opt to return on the gondola.
What to Expect at Kurodake:
2.7km of slopes
2 Ski Lifts (the ropeway and a short chairlift at the bottom)
Peak: 1520m
Snowparks: No
Nightskiing: No
8. Zao Onsen
350km north of Tokyo, Zao Onsen is equally renowned for its sulfuric hot springs, world-class skiing and alpine trekking. Located in Yamagata Prefecture and just 16km away from Yamagata City itself, the onsen town attracts holiday-makers all year round.
The town sits at the foot of Mount Zao, the most active volcano in northern Honshu. Residents of Zao Onsen have been warned by meteorological experts that the volcano could soon erupt. In April 2015, Mount Zao experienced heightened seismic activity but the tremors proved to be benign. Skiers needn’t worry too much; Mount Zao last spilled lava in 1940.
What to Expect at Zao Onsen:
50km of slopes
38 Ski Lifts
Peak: 1661m
Snowparks: No
Nightskiing: No
9.. Kandatsu Kogen
Kandatsu Snow Resort is located in Yuzawa Cho, Niigata Prefecture where has large beautiful rice field during summer and fall and a lot of snows during winter season, so Kandatsu is known as 100% Natural Snow SKI Resort in Japan, as One of Best Access from Tokyo.
It also happens to be one of the best places to snowboard in Japan.
Offering wide open piste and access to beginner-intermediate level side-country powder, it’s an excellent place to start your powder surfing journey.
What to Expect at Kandatsu Kogen:
11.6km of slopes
5 Ski Lifts
Peak: 1000m
Snowparks: No
Nightskiing: Saturday nights until 4am!
10. Ani
Ani Ski Resort is situated in a wonderfully remote spot on Mt Moriyoshi in the Akita Prefecture. It is ideal for powder hounds that have plenty of time on their hands to get there and score a couple of days of Japow. Ani Ski Resort is just small and has some easily sourced off-piste tree skiing, but the main event is the sidecountry and backcountry that requires some route-finding expertise or a guide.
Ani is a hidden gem Japanese ski resort aka a unicorn ski resort, with the rare combination of lots of snow, good tree skiing, and minimal crowds. However, keep in mind that there’s only a little bit of terrain for no-effort lift-accessed powder skiing, whilst powder hounds willing to put in just a little bit of work will be handsomely rewarded.
What to Expect at Ani:
7.6km of slopes
3 Ski Lifts
Peak: 1210m
Snowboards: Yes
Nightskiing: No
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