Japan’s 6 Best Ski Resort for Foreiners. Where is Site Accesible Easily?
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Ski Resorts in Japan Offering High-Quality Powder Snow
Japan is well-known for its popular tourist destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and recently, ski resorts have also been bustling with foreign tourists enjoying various skiing experiences from Europe, the United States, Asia, and more.
Japan possesses an environment blessed with high-quality snow and abundant snowfall, making it a globally recognized ski destination. With favorable weather conditions, one can relish powder snow at ski resorts across Japan. There’s even a chance to witness diamond dust, formed when water vapor in the air freezes at temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius.
The increased attention on Japanese ski resorts can be attributed significantly to the influence of Red Bull and renowned YouTubers, who used various ski resorts throughout Japan for video shoots. Consequently, many foreign skiers and snowboarders flock to Japan, attracted by the settings ideal for powder skiing.
Additionally, the weakened yen has made travel to Japan more accessible. Currently, the USD to JPY exchange rate has historically risen, making Japan appear relatively more affordable from an overseas perspective.
By the way, during my high school days, I was part of the Alpine Ski Club. I used to practice and participate in competitions at various ski resorts during winter. Even now, I visit ski resorts several times a year. The ski resorts I’m about to introduce are places I have personally visited.
Recommended Ski Resorts: Rankings and Reviews
Rusutsu Resort at Hokkaido
Rusutsu Resort in Hokkaido is the ski resort I highly recommend. At the World Ski Awards 2021, Rusutsu Resort was honored as Japan’s Best Ski Resort for the fourth time in two years, a prestigious recognition within the global ski tourism industry. The resort is integrated with Rusutsu Resort Hotel & Convention, allowing guests to enjoy not only skiing but also a comfortable stay at the hotel. Whenever I visit Rusutsu Resort, I always stay at this hotel, which offers a wide range of food, souvenirs, and leisure activities. It’s enjoyable even for non-skiers. You’ll be amazed by the size of the hotel.
Rusutsu Resort is accessible from New Chitose Airport, a drive of just under three hours. Buses from New Chitose Airport to the ski resort are commonly available. Tours that include accommodation, flights, and bus transfers to Rusutsu Resort are popular, eliminating the hassle of arrangements. The flight duration from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to New Chitose Airport is approximately one and a half hours.
Niseko Resort Hokkaido
Niseko Resort is another ski resort in Hokkaido. My first trip to Hokkaido was to ski at Niseko Resort, and despite heavy snow, I was surprised by the soft, fluffy snow quality. I ranked Rusutsu Resort higher than Niseko Resort due to Rusutsu’s larger area, but both resorts offer similar snow quality and courses.
Niseko Resort is also approximately a 2-hour drive from New Chitose Airport. Niseko Station is near the resort, about a 10-minute drive from the ski area. From Niseko Station, it’s about a 3-hour train ride to Sapporo, the central city in Hokkaido, making it possible to visit Sapporo after skiing.
Shizukuishi Ski Resort at Iwate
Located in Iwate Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Honshu, Shizukuishi Ski Resort has a higher latitude, resulting in lower temperatures and abundant snow compared to other ski resorts mentioned. It’s operated by the Prince Group, a national resort ski company in Japan, providing enjoyable meals with a view of the ski slopes from the rooms. The multilingual signage makes it reassuring for foreign visitors. While the courses are relatively straightforward, they are notably long. Before skiing here, I had assumed that the snow quality would significantly lag behind Hokkaido, but I was pleasantly surprised by the high-quality snow.
Shizukuishi Ski Resort is typically reached by bus or taxi, taking about 30 minutes from Shizukuishi Station or Morioka Station in Iwate. Both stations are accessible by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station.
Naeba Ski Resort at Niigata
Naeba Ski Resort is located in Niigata Prefecture. It’s a venue used for alpine skiing competitions. As a core ski resort within the Prince Group, Naeba Prince Hotel offers various post-ski activities, although slightly pricier compared to surrounding hotels. Despite its convenient access from Tokyo and a multitude of courses catering to beginners and experts alike, the snow quality is excellent. A long gondola connects Naeba Ski Resort to the adjacent Kagura Ski Resort, offering two different skiing experiences.
Naeba Ski Resort is about a 40-minute drive from the nearest Echigo-Yuzawa Station in Niigata. Both Echigo-Yuzawa and Naeba stations are accessible via Shinkansen from Tokyo Station, making it a convenient 3-hour trip from Tokyo to the ski area.
Happo-One Ski Resort at Nagano
Happo-One Ski Resort is situated in Nagano Prefecture. It was a venue for high-speed events like downhill and Super-G during the 1998 Nagano Olympics and has hosted national competitions, establishing its reputation as a prominent ski resort. Notably, it offers numerous intermediate slopes and fewer beginner courses, providing a challenging terrain. The high altitude ensures firm snow and ample snowfall, allowing skiing until around May.
Happo-One Ski Resort is close to Nagano Station, about an hour’s drive away. It’s less frequented by train travelers among the resorts mentioned; many visitors prefer cars or other means of transport.
GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort at Niigata
GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort is located in Niigata Prefecture, relatively close to Naeba Ski Resort. The most notable feature is its exceptional accessibility. The resort is directly connected to the station, accessed via gondola to the ski slopes. Operated by JR East, Japan’s largest railway company, the facility is modern and offers competitive rates, such as a Shinkansen and lift ticket set for around 10,000 yen, owing to its railway management.
GALA Yuzawa Station is the nearest station, just steps away from the ski resort. It’s approximately 70 minutes from Tokyo Station via Shinkansen, allowing for a day trip from Tokyo to enjoy skiing by noon.
Recommended Access to Ski Resorts via Shinkansen or Flights
Compared to popular tourist destinations, access to ski resorts is generally inconvenient. They tend to be far from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, requiring considerable travel time by rental car or tourist bus. Therefore, it’s recommended to access ski resorts via the shorter travel time offered by the Shinkansen (bullet train) or flights.
The ski resorts mentioned here, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Naeba Ski Resort, and Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort, are easily accessible by Shinkansen. The distance from the Shinkansen arrival station to the ski resorts is not far, and there are well-maintained options like buses or taxis, eliminating concerns about renting a car. Shinkansen is resilient against snow, and unless weather conditions are extremely adverse, it usually operates smoothly.
In the case of Hokkaido, flights are the primary mode of transport. Although there are multiple airports in Hokkaido, New Chitose Airport is the most frequented. New Chitose Airport operates routes from major airports like Haneda Airport (Tokyo), Narita International Airport (Chiba), Kansai International Airport (Osaka), Chubu Centrair International Airport (Aichi), and Naha Airport (Okinawa) across the country. Additionally, there are regular flights from various Asian destinations. Within a three-hour drive from New Chitose Airport, several ski resorts are situated. Buses are commonly used for transportation to the ski resorts. Some hotels operate shuttle buses, and there are regular services available, making bus-inclusive travel plans highly recommended.
In Conclusion
These are the ski resorts I’ve enjoyed as a skier and recommended to foreign visitors. Among these, Rusutsu Resort, Niseko Resort, and Naeba Ski Resort stand out. Established as resort destinations, these places offer more than just skiing. Moreover, with a considerable number of foreign tourists, these ski resorts and hotels have staff who can speak English. There are also foreign instructors available, making it enjoyable for beginners.
