Hokkaido, Japan's northern winter wonderland island feels worlds away from the rest of the country. With abundant snowfall blanketing the prefecture each winter, it's no surprise it boasts several snow sports destinations.

Over time, the area has adopted a more Western standard of ski resort, with sleek hotels, top-notch service, and excellent après-ski options. For a more traditional Japanese experience, Shiga or Yamagata may be a better choice.

Rusutsu Resort is a giant in Hokkaido’s ski scene and the largest in the region with bright winter skies, thanks to its prime Pacific locale and sheltered terrain. This snowy heaven in Niseko has 37 runs spread across three peaks—West, East, and Isola—connected by 4 gondolas and over a dozen lifts.

Set on the northeastern part of Mt. Niseko-Annupuri, the Niseko Hanazono Resort is an absolute must for powder hunts, known for its soft snow and epic terrain. It's part of the Niseko area’s four-resort network—Hanazono, Grand Hirafu, Village, and Annupuri. The network connects over 40 kilometers of trails and this package gives you access to them all.

Trade Sapporo’s neon whisky and beer signs for a 2 to 5-day getaway in Furano, home to more of Hokkaido’s fine powder.
Furano’s Kitanomine Zone suits beginners, while the Furano Zone challenges experienced skiers. After skiing, head to Bar Ajito for warm sake or explore Furano city for more après-ski options.

Just 90 minutes from Sapporo, Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort features 11 kilometers of trails and five lifts reaching up to 1,100 meters.

Hoshino Resorts is synonymous with luxury, and Tomamu exemplifies it—a stunning retreat across two mountains. With 29 ski courses (6 km for beginners, 10 km for intermediates, and 5.5 km for advanced skiers), over 20 restaurants, and some of the driest snow imaginable, it’s a supreme destination for those seeking an upscale ski experience.

Tucked away on the mystical Kamuiyama mountain in northern Japan—revered as the dwelling place of ancient gods—Kamui Ski Links is an affordable, expansive escape just 50 minutes from Asahikawa City. With 25 courses, six lifts, and a 4,000-meter-long run, this resort is a charming hidden gem.
It's a local favorite sans the glitz, glam, or crowds of its popular siblings, Niseko and Rusutsu, giving the slopes a pleasantly empty feel on weekdays.

Teine Ski Resort, a former Olympic venue sitting just outside Sapporo, promises bottomless powder and panoramic night views of the city. Split between Olympia, where the 1972 Olympic bobsled event took place, and Highland, its 15 runs range from easy-going beginner slopes to exhilarating off-piste trails for the bold.

Sorry snowboarders, this little slice of very snow paradise is reserved just for skiing fans. With blockbuster views, a canopy of rare tree species, and a setting both tranquil and electrifying, Mount Moiwa stands apart from the chaos of larger resorts.

​​Often described as a picture-perfect snow globe with an exceptional Apres-Ski scene, Niseko is a remote pocket of Hokkaido and is on the radar of each and every snow sports enthusiast.

Kiroro Snow World is a quiet retreat with plenty of room to swoosh through the snow, far from overcrowded slopes. A highlight for kiddos will be the "Annie Kids Ski Academy," welcoming children as young as three, while skiers and snowboarders of all levels can enjoy the towering five-meter snow depth and 22 well-maintained runs.

Grand Hirafu, the giant among Niseko’s four resorts—Annupuri, Niseko Village, and Hanazono rounding out the quartet, has a surprisingly diverse terrain and checks all the boxes of a typical ski resort, complete with fabulous après-ski spots.

Unlike the contemporary resorts we’ve covered so far, Annupuri is the choice for a traditional escape on the quieter western side of the mountain. Fewer crowds and traditional Japanese lodgings pair wonderfully with the powder accumulating on the large, beginner-friendly courses of Annupuri.
End your day in a cozy ryokan or a sleek chalet with panoramic windows, where you can watch the snow drift down by the warmth of a crackling fire.
Pro Tip: Staying in the Annupuri area? Reserve ahead at Rakuichi, an Anthony Bourdain-approved eatery known for its exquisite soba-focused kaiseki lunch set.

Ski enthusiasts, discover Niigata! This snowy paradise is Japan's top-tier skiing destination, just over an hour from Tokyo. With fine powder snow, English-speaking personnel and seasonal bus services from Tokyo, Niigata ski resorts are perfect for your thrilling winter adventure.

Iwappara Ski Resort, tucked away in southern Niigata, is a family-first winter escape within easy reach of the Kanto area. Little ones can jump into the "Snow Theme Park," with sledding adventures in "Kids Paradise" and "Sled Land." Budding skiers can level up their skills at the peculiar "Sponge Bob Snow Camp," where even the little snow lovers are taught lessons that get them excited to hit the slopes.

Naeba Ski Resort knows how to steal the spotlight. Summers bring music lovers from all over the country to the legendary Fuji Rock Festival, but winter transforms it into a snow-filled paradise. Just a bullet train away from Tokyo, this resort has 12 lifts and 22 runs for all skill levels — more than making up for the smaller-than-usual resort area.
Hop aboard the Dragondola, one of the world’s longest gondolas, connecting the Naeba Prince Hotel to Kagura Ski Resort. Spanning 5.5 km, it glides over dramatic valleys before climbing hundreds of meters to reach Kagura’s summit.

Kick-off or wrap up your Tokyo trip with a day (or more) at Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort. Unique to this resort is its own bullet train station, delivering you straight to the slopes in just 75 minutes from the capital. Compact yet versatile, it’s great for beginners and casual skiers, with easy links to Yuzawa Kogen and Ishiuchi Maruyama for extra terrain.

Board a free shuttle from Gala Yuzawa to the impressive Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Area, a resort with over 70 years of legacy. Its laid-back vibe and perfectly carved trails have long drawn those who value this rare mix of history and reliable winter terrain, far from fleetingly trendy spots.

Kagura Ski Resort promises and delivers untouched slopes, sweeping vistas of the Joetsu area, and a ski season that stretches from late December into March. True to its name, inspired by the spirited "Kagura" Shinto ritual, this resort is a celebration of all things snow.
From off-piste to backcountry and side-country runs, Kagura allows for every style of skiing, with 37% of its terrain tailored for beginners, 44% for intermediates, and 19% for experts. For those of you who find Kagura too mellow, Dragondola connects Kagura to Naeba, giving you an easy transition to challenging terrain.

A quick 69-minute Shinkansen ride from Tokyo takes you to Yuzawa Nakazato, home to 16 slopes providing tons of space to both skiers and snowboarders.

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is a massive winter retreat with something for everyone. Kids can enjoy endless fun in the "Kid's Paradise," thrill-seekers will take on the steep 38-degree Active Zone, and the "Forest Zone" lures skiers to glide through soft snow on large scenic trails.

Located northwest of Tokyo, about a two-hour shinkansen ride away, Nagano is famously known for its stunning scenery and beautiful mountain ranges. It’s no wonder some of the best ski resorts can be found here!

Feel the crisp alpine air rush past as you take on a thrilling 1,071-meter descent at Hakuba Happo-One Winter Resort. Known for its 22 lifts, expansive groomed runs for intermediates, and powder-packed terrain, this resort is a dream for those who live for the slopes.

Cradled in Mt. Kenashiyama’s ridges, Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort covers an impressive 297 hectares at 1,086-meter altitude.
Known for its ethereal trails, the highlight is the Yamabiko course—a collection of five 1,000-meter intermediate runs lined by frost-covered beech trees. The resort sits alongside the onsen town, with supremely photogenic traditional architecture.
Ease your post-ski soreness in one of the 13 public baths fed by the famed Yunogo hot springs.

First-timers and intermediate snow enthusiasts will find Norikura Snowfield’s terrain especially accommodating, while more seasoned skiers might gravitate toward Iwatake's eclectic trails. With elevations exceeding 1,200 meters and over 44 kilometers of slopes across the two resorts, these lessons will give you a fabulous introduction to Iwate's ski area.

Okushiga Kogen is pure Japow perfection—light, dry snow that feels more like floating than skiing. For newcomers figuring out their rhythm or riders pushing limits on steeper trails, this spot is all about making good turns and better memories.
At 2,000 meters, the views? Unreal. You’ll have to remind yourself to focus on the slopes.

Karuizawa Ski Resort strikes the perfect balance between cutting-edge snowmaking tech and a lively, laid-back après-ski vibe. With seven ice crushers and nearly 200 snow machines, you’re guaranteed pristine, powder-packed trails all season long.

The cities of Kansai rarely get a lot of snowfall, so to find a ski resort, you’ll have to go high up into the mountains. Many ski resorts often use artificial snow; however, at Hakodateyama Ski Resort, you can enjoy beautiful natural snow.

Ascend Hakodateyama's slopes in an 8-person gondola, where sensational views of Lake Biwako unfurl. Trails here range from beginner-friendly to advanced, plus families can spend time in the Kids Park, while cross-country enthusiasts can scour the 'Hako-Chan Cross' trail.