Top 5: Snowiest Ski Resorts In Japan

Jan 3

Snow and Japan go hand in hand, like milk and cookies. So much snow, or should we say JAPOW, falls across the resorts in Japan that they don’t count it in cm, it has to be counted in metres! Today we are taking a look at the top 5 snowiest ski resort in Japan, go through how much snow falls across these resorts per winter season and touch on a few details of each resort. Japan, it’s a place of legends and when it comes to winter that legend is the deep powder snow which can be found across many of the resorts. Keep in mind, the snow season in Japan only goes from mid December to early march, so some of these annual snowfalls are truly mind boggling.

#5 Rusutsu 14m / 551”

At number 5 we have Rusutsu ski resort, this resort is located on the southwestern corner of Hokkaido and is known for its wide variety of ski runs, insane powder snow, unique theme park (which is closed during the winter however where else can you ski and snowboard beside rollercoasters) and awesome facilities that cater to riders of all skill levels. On an average winter season the resort will see 14m or 551 inches of snowfall which consists of incredible light and fluffy Japanese powder. That’s an average of 14cm or 5 and a half inches of snow every single day during the winter season. The resort opened in 1972 and is home to 37 marked trails that cover the just under 2,000 acres of terrain. The tree skiing here is some of the best in Japan.

#4 Geto Kogen 15m / 590”

Coming in at number 4 is Geto Kogen. The smaller ski resort flies completely under the radar however it’s slowly becoming more commonly known as riders are looking for deep snow and an off the beaten track experience. Get Kogen is located in the Yamagata prefecture and is renowned for its abundant 15m or 590 inches of snowfall which is powered by strong storms that come in from Siberia and seem to just dump endless Japanese powder on the surrounding mountains. Going by the numbers the resort looks tiny, 5 lifts, 14 marked trails and 430m of vertical however Geto Kogen punches well above its weight and is home to legendary tree skiing that will have your legs burning by lunch time.

#3 Lotte Arai 16m / 629”

Number 3 on our list is none other than the newest ski resort in Japan, Lotte Arai. This resort is fast becoming the Deer Valley or St Mortiz of Japan and is the only major luxury ski resort in the country. After closing down in 2006 the resort sat abandoned for 10 years until the Lotte group purchased the resort and gave it a base to summit makeover. The resort is located in Myoko and thrives on offering an inbounds backcountry experience, 70% of the terrain is left ungrommed which means when you add in the 16m or 629 inches of annual snowfall its a recipe for incredible and deep skiing or snowboarding. Where else can you get over 1,000m of vertical mixed in with a luxury hotel plus 15cm or 6 inches of fresh snow on average every day during a winter season.

#2 Niseko 17m / 669”

Many of you have probably been wondering when this resort would make an appearance on the list. Yes number 2 is Niseko. Niseko United is actually 4 different ski resorts that climb the southern faces of Mt Niseko Annapuri and can be located in the centre of south western Hokkaido. Thanks to this prime location the resort gets inhialaited by strong storms which come in from Siberia, collect moisture from the Sea of Japan and then just smash into this part of Hokkaido. On average the resort will see 17m or 669 inches of snowfall and its not often you get a bluebird day until spring, however people don’t travel from all over the world to ride Niseko in the sunshine, they come for the deep deep powder snow. This resort is home to 38 lifts, just under 2,200 acres of terrain and 61 marked trails, this doesn’t include everything that can be found in the trees between the trails.

#1 Equal First: Kiroro & Sapporo Kokusai 18m / 708”

Number 1 on this list is actually two resorts which both see the same average amount of snowfall each winter season, we are curious to know if anyone watching has heard of either of these resorts, let us know in the comments. Both Kiroro and Sapporo Kokusai will typically see 18m or 708 inches of snowfall each winter season however in a good season that number can go up to 24m or 944 inches of snow, and the seasons in Japan normally only go for 3-4 months which means these resorts sometimes see over 8m or 314 inches of snow in a single month, absolutely mind blowing. Both Kiroro and Sapporo Kokusai sit in the shadows of nearby Niseko and Rusutsu, this means the resorts see lower number of riders, which means there is more powder for the adventurous skiers and snowboards who visit. Both of these resorts are smaller when compared to the other ski areas nearby however if you are visiting Hokkaido and want deep snow, an authentic old school Japanese experience and some of the worlds best tree skiing, a visit to Kiroro or Sapporo Kokusai is a must.

Japan, it’s a place of legends and when it comes to winter that legend is the deep powder snow which can be found across many of the resorts. We only touched on the Top 5 in this list however there are hundreds of incredible ski areas in Japan and a trip to Japan should be at the top of any avid skier or snowboarder.