While many ski resorts in Japan usually open for the season at the end of December, some ski resorts open earlier to welcome guests who have been waiting to enjoy their first slide of the season. Today, we are going to look at which ski resorts in Japan are already open.
1. Snow Park Yeti (Opened: October 20, 2023)
As it calls itself as the first ski resort to open in Japan, Snow Park Yeti opened its doors to enthusiastic skiers on the 20th of October, 2023. Their early-bird season pass, which allows you enjoy a maximum 7,500-yen discount, is on sale until November 30th. At the moment, only one slope (10m wide and 1,000m long) is open and the others are to open gradually in December. If you are planning to go by car, it is good news that starting this year, they stopped charging for the parking space (1,350 slots available).
Address: 2428 Aza Fujiwara, Suyama, Susono-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture 410-1231
Website: https://www.yeti-resort.com/
2. Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort (Opened: November 1, 2023)
This is one of the most accessible ski resorts from Tokyo. It takes only an hour by Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Karuizawa Station, and from there to the resort it is just one minute by taxi and ten minutes on foot. A half of the slopes are designed for beginners and at the moment two slopes for beginners and two snow parks are open according to the official website. If you purchase lift tickets online, you can enjoy 1,000-yen discount from the regular price for an adult lift ticket.
Address: Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano 389-0193 Japan
Website: https://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/karuizawa/resort.html
3. Sayama Ski Resort (Opened: November 3, 2023)
This is an indoor ski resort that is just three minute-walk from Seibukyujo-Mae Station on the Seibu Sayama Line. It is not ideal if you are looking for an open-air ski resort, but suitable for those who do not want the weather to affect their travel plans. There are paid parking spaces near the resort but you may want to check if there is any event in the nearby Belluna Dome (baseball stadium) on the day of your visit, as it can be more difficult to find a slot.
Address: 2167 Kamiyamaguchi, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1153
Website: https://www.seibu-leisure.co.jp/ski_web/
4. Shiga Kogen Yokoteyama/Shibutoge Area (Opened: November 23, 2023)
Yokoteyama and Shibutoge Area of Shiga Kogen Ski Resorts is the highest ski resort in Japan, whose highest point is at 2,307m above sea level. After a two-day pre-opening event on the 18th and 19th of November this year, the resort closed for three days for the slope preparation and officially opened on the 23rd of November. As of the 24th of November, only one slope is open for skiers. It is not easily accessible from Tokyo compared to the ski resorts mentioned above, but if you have enough time in Japan, the breathtaking view from the Manten View Terrace at the top of Mt. Yokote would be worth a visit.
Address: 7148 Hirao, Yamanochi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401
Website: https://www.shigakogen.gr.jp/english/area/area_detail_yokoteyama.html
5. White Pia Takasu (Opened: November 18, 2023)
This ski resort is located in the mountainous area of Gifu Prefecture. It is not easily accessible from Tokyo, but this could be one of the options if you are staying in Tokai Region. As of the 24th of November, only one slope is open to the public. There are other large-scale ski resorts in the same area which are slated to open at the beginning of December.
Address: 512 Takasuchō, WashimiGujo, Gifu 501-5302
Website: https://whitepia.jp/
A mild winter is forecasted this year. There are ski resorts that were planned to open on the last weekend of November but many have announced that they will delay their opening due to lack of snow. But let’s expect more ski resorts to open in December, as it is forecasted that the temperature is finally going to drop.
*Depending on the weather conditions, ski resorts that announced their opening may close temporarily. Please check their official websites prior to your visit.
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