The 10 Best Ski Resorts in Japan

Appi Kogen’s carefully groomed runs cater to an upmarket crowd. The resort encompasses 45.1 kilometers (28 miles) of pistes, most of which are found along the slopes of Mount Maemori along with two nearby on Mount Nishimori. The resort is known for its wide, long runs, with more than half stretching for longer than 2 km (1.2 miles). Although there’s no village or town around Appi, it offers the chance to visit an authentically Japanese resort with few international tourists. There’s also a family park with mini-courses, sledding, and snow tubes for children. The resort is located in Iwate Prefecture in the Appi Highlands, 50 km (31 miles) north of Morioka and 580 km (360 miles) north of Tokyo.

Asahidake is an excellent spot for advanced skiers and boarders, offering a variety of alpine terrain and tree skiing. The back-country slopes are set in Daisetsuzan National Park on Mount Asahi in central Hokkaido, about 1 hour east of Asahikawa. Visitors have access to 500 vertical meters (1,640 feet) of terrain and four groomed trails. Asahidake is officially a national park rather than a resort, so facilities are quite limited, which is part of the area’s appeal for skiers and boarders looking to escape the crowds and take on a challenge. The area also features a handful of cross country ski trails, and a number of the hotels have onsens (hot springs).

A favorite of international tourists, the Hakuba valley comprises 11 different ski resorts. Bordered by 3,000-meter peaks, Hakuba is located the Northern Japan Alps, 44 km (27 miles) west of Nagano. The area gained international attention in 1998 when it hosted several competitions during the Winter Olympic Games. With 137 km (85 miles) of piste and more than 200 courses, Hakuba’s resorts offer incredible variety with runs suited to skiers and boarders of all levels. The main village, Happo, is home to some excellent izakayas and restaurants, or there are also quieter villages in the area for those who want to stay away from the crowds.

Offering 42 km (29 miles) of groomed slopes, Rusutsu is one of the top ski resorts in Hokkaido. The ski area is spread across three mountains, offering a variety of groomed trails for beginners. The highlight for advanced skiers is the resort’s convenient tree runs and back country, which are accessible straight off the lifts. The hotels in the area offer a great selection of restaurants, plus there are a few smaller restaurants found near the base of the mountain. Kids can enjoy dog sledding, tubing, and snowmobiling, while the resort is also home to pool facilities and onsen. Rusutsu is located 90 minutes southwest of Sapporo.

Sapporo Teine is ideal for day trips from Sapporo, located 20 km (12 miles) northwest of the city center. The resort attracts novices with its Olympia Zone, which offers wide, gentle slopes for beginners and night skiing. For more advanced skiers, there’s the Highland Zone, which includes medium-to-advanced courses, and off-trail runs. Set 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) above sea level, this upper area provides visitors with fantastic views over Sapporo and the ocean. The resort also includes a snow park with boxes, jumps, and rails, as well as a family park with tubing and sledding.

Tomamu is an upscale ski resorted located in central Hokkaido, 150 km (93 miles) east of Sapporo. This modern, swanky resort includes a 50-meter wave pool, sophisticated restaurants, and sleek hot-spring facilities. The resort offers 21 km (13 miles) of slopes, with a variety of runs for beginner and intermediate level skiers, along with ‘expert’ courses and sanctioned off-piste skiing areas. Other activities include cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snow rafting, and heli skiing. For kids, there’s a snow playground, snow boat rides, and a special snow playground. In the evening, check out the resort’s Ice Village, which consists of a restaurant, bar, shop, and wedding chapel housed in domes made of snow and ice.