Resort Comparisons
Comparison of Japanese Ski Resorts
Can’t decide which ski resort to go to for your next holiday in Japan?
Everyone has different factors that are important when deciding on the best ski resort. For some, the most important factor is the cultural experience, or how family oriented the resort is. Cost may be a major determinant, or how the terrain is suited to beginners, intermediates or experts. For true powderhounds the only important thing is sniffing out the powder and the likelihood of being able to find it. For most people, it’s a combination of factors that make a ski or snowboard holiday great.
To aid in your decision making, we have provided
Japan ski resort ratings and broken this down into many aspects such as: the terrain for different abilities; the powder; lift infrastructure; family-friendliness; cost; nightlife; and the likelihood of finding “freshies”. Also see our “
best skiing in Japan” awards for ideas on which resort may suit your needs.
Comparing Japanese Ski Resort Statistics
For a detailed comparison of mountain statistics for many Japan resorts download our
Japan ski resort statistics comparison. This comparison includes the proportions of beginner, intermediate and advanced runs, and lift ticket prices and snowfall.
Japan Snow Fall Volumes
Only some of the Japanese ski resorts report the average snowfall per season, so it’s not possible to compare the volume of snow across all the resorts.
Of those that report the statistic,
Niseko ski resort in Hokkaido receives the most snowfall and is well known for the deep powder, where it can snow for weeks without stopping. The cold weather systems that move across the Sea of Japan from Siberia are responsible for the deep dry powder. Nearby
Rusutsu also receives abundant snowfall (14 metres), as does
Asahidake (14 metres).
Hakkoda probably gets more snow than Niseko but it’s not reported. There are no buffering mountains between Hakkoda and the Sea of Japan, so Hakkoda cops the weather in full force.
A fraction further south is
Appi Kogen. The statistic for the average snowfall per season is cited as 8 metres, but the true amount is much more than that because Appi records the amount of snowfall each day after they’ve squashed it down with the grooming machine. Only in Japan!
Size of the Japanese Ski Resorts
In general the ski resorts in Japan are very small compared to Canada, USA or Europe, and are more akin to the size of
New Zealand ski resorts. Of course it’s difficult to make accurate comparisons because of the methods used to measure the statistic. For most of the ski resorts in Japan, the size only includes the piste runs and not the trees or other off-piste areas.
According to statistics,
Niseko is the largest Japanese ski resort at 870 hectares (although the off-piste terrain is probably included in this stat). Compare this to the USA where the average size of a ski resort is 800 hectares and Canada where the average is about 1,000 hectares.
Shiga Kogen has the statistic of 607 hectares yet it’s probably much larger than Niseko and has 21 different ski areas. When it comes to Japan, in essence just use the statistics as a very rough guide to the size of the resorts.
Which Ski Resorts Can you Ski Off-Piste in Japan?
Is Backcountry Skiing Allowed?
The following is provided as a guide only. Skiing off-piste and out-of-bounds has inherent risks. Do so at your own risk and take appropriate avalanche equipment and exercise avalanche precautions. Skiing off-piste, tree skiing or going out-of-bounds can also have lift ticket and insurance consequences at some Japanese ski resorts. Don’t ski directly under the lifts as this is really frowned upon at most Japan ski resorts.
At all Japan ski resorts, backcountry riding is something you absolutely do at your own risk, and any rescue required will be at your cost. Remember if you don’t have the backcountry know-how, you are putting others at risk as well as yourself.
HOKKAIDO OFF-PISTE SKIING AND THE BACKCOUNTRY
Asahidake
Asahidake officially recommends that you remain on the cat tracks due to potential avalanche risk. Of course, assess the risk for yourself but we can’t imagine anyone would ski at Asahidake and actually stay on the trails. Backcountry skiing is also at your own discretion. There’s no ski patrol out and about to stop you, but this also means that patrollers are not out there monitoring conditions or doing any control work.
Chisenupuri
At
Chisenupuri you can go for it!
Furano
It is strictly forbidden to ski off-piste or in the trees at
Furano which is a major detractor for this ski resort. It is heavily policed and patrollers will chase you if you needs be. That being said, if you can appear invisible, there is some amazing slack-country terrain to revel in at Furano.
Kamui Links
A very relaxed approach to off-piste and tree (and bamboo) skiing is a major plus for
Kamui Links. Skiing out-of-bounds is not heavily policed, although there are plenty of warning signs to indicate that “you may die if you ski here”.
Kiroro
At
Kiroro there are lots of ropes in some areas but the patrollers don’t seem to police going backcountry or off-piste.
Kitataisetsu
Tree skiing and off-piste skiing is permitted at
Kitataisetsu. Going out-of-bounds is frowned upon, but is possible for invisible riders.
Moiwa
No need to stay on the piste (gelande) at
Moiwa. You can go for it!
Niseko
At
Niseko, skiing and boarding off-piste and in the trees is permitted. Slackcountry and backcountry access is allowed so long as you enter through one of the gates, so rope ducking is not kosher. When the backcountry gates are closed it’s because avalanche danger is high. Unfortunately there’s a culture at Niseko amongst some riders that it’s OK to go into these areas when the gates are closed and without a beacon, shovel and probe. It’s not OK!
Rusutsu
With regards to in-bounds tree skiing at
Rusutsu, go for it! You probably don’t even need to consider going out-of-bounds as there’s plenty of entertaining action in-bounds.
Sapporo Kokusai
Most off-piste areas at
Sapporo Kokusai and the resort boundaries are roped off and there are the associated skull and cross-bones signs to signify the risk. These signs also seem to indicate the best place to duck the rope and there seems to be a very relaxed approach to this.
Sapporo Teine
At
Sapporo Teine the resort boundaries are roped off and there are the associated skull and cross-bones signs, but the patrollers will let you go out-of-bounds at your own risk.
Tomamu
Off-piste skiing is permitted at
Tomamu so long as you register your intentions, wear a helmet and wear a very unattractive bib. Skiing outside the resort boundaries is not permitted, but is possible if you are very discrete.
HONSHU OFF-PISTE SKIING AND THE BACKCOUNTRY
Appi Kogen
Appi Kogen is still old school Japan. Tree skiing is taboo, as is accessing the side-country, and the patrollers may enforce this unfortunate policy. That being said, getting off the gelande (piste) is possible with lots of discretion and care.
Hakkoda
The whole point of going to
Hakkoda is for the backcountry and off-piste skiing and riding, so there are no restrictions here.
Happo-One
Frustratingly, in-bounds off-piste riding is strictly prohibited at Happo-One, and is heavily policed including the use of video surveillance. The trees are generally deciduous so it’s difficult to get away with any bending of the rules. Out-of-bounds is completely prohibited and avalanche risk may be high. If you’re keen to explore the back-country, do a tour with Evergreen.
Hakuba 47 and Goryu Toomi
Tree skiing or any off-piste fun is banned at Hakuba 47. They might even make an announcement over the loud speaker to let you know that you shouldn’t have gone off-piste. Big brother is watching!
Kagura
At Kagura there are various warning signs about the risks of riding off-piste, but the patrollers don’t seem to stop anyone from doing it.
Naeba
There is still a bit of angst with off-piste riding at
Naeba, but the approach seems to be slowly relaxing. Naeba’s still got a long way to go to be like next-door neighbour Kagura.
Nozawa Onsen
Things have changed significantly at
Nozawa Onsen in recent years. Skiing off-piste and tree skiing is now acceptable, and even riding the lift line won’t get you chased by a patroller with a whistle. Slackcountry skiing is another matter, so you’ll need to limbo and be very subtle.
Myoko Kogen
The patrollers at
Myoko Kogen are fine with off-piste and backcountry riding at Myoko Akakura, Suginohara, or Seki Onsen. However they don’t like you blatantly skiing under the lifts (but many do it at Akakan anyway!).
Shiga Kogen
Whilst there are signs in many places to indicate that you shouldn’t go off-piste and going under the lifts is completely taboo, the approach to tree skiing at
Shiga Kogen is relaxing. The main limitation of Shiga Kogen is that there just aren’t that many places where off-piste riding is possible due to the spacing of the trees.
Zao
There aren’t too many areas at
Zao Onsen where you’d want to go off-piste, but in places where the trees are adequately spaced they often have fencing. I didn’t see any patrollers whilst at Zao and hopefully you won’t too!