Asia's First Private Ski Resort is Opening in Japan - THE CLUB TOGARI

Japan is getting Asia's first private ski resort, and it's opening in Nagano next winter.

THE CLUB TOGARI is scheduled to launch in December 2026 at Togari Onsen Ski Resort, near the established ski towns of Nozawa Onsen and Myoko in Nagano Prefecture. It's a members-only operation built around exclusive slope access, a private clubhouse, and ski-in ski-out real estate - and it signals something of a departure for a ski culture that has traditionally prided itself on affordability and accessibility.

What membership actually gets you

At the centre of the offering is the White Dragon Field - a dedicated ski zone accessible only to club members and their guests. Members can bring up to nine guests at a time, creating a maximum group size of 10. Beyond the private terrain, members also have access to the 140 hectares of the public Togari Onsen resort.

The mountain has legitimate credentials. It includes one of Japan's longest mogul courses at over 300 metres, carving runs, SAJ-certified race terrain, and freestyle parks. The resort operates entirely on natural snowfall with no artificial snowmaking - a notable feature given Togari sits along the Nagano-Niigata border beneath the Sekita Mountains, an area that regularly produces some of the deepest snow in Japan.

Initial memberships from December 2026 are priced at JPY 20,400,000 (approximately USD $128,000), with an annual management fee of JPY 550,000 (around USD $3,400). Membership is capped at 400. Pricing rises to JPY 25,000,000 (approximately USD $157,000) for memberships from December 2027.

Members also have the option to purchase ski-in ski-out villas within the development, with prices expected to start at JPY 150,000,000 (approximately USD $940,000).

The broader offering

THE CLUB TOGARI is positioning itself as more than a ski pass. The private clubhouse sits directly beside the slopes and includes lounge spaces, dining areas, and concierge-style services. The culinary programme is being run in partnership with Kanaya Resorts - a name with roots in Japan's oldest resort hotel - with a focus on seasonal Japanese cuisine.

Equipment is handled through a partnership with Vector Glide, one of Japan's better-regarded luxury ski manufacturers, meaning members can access high-end gear on-mountain without flying with their own kit. For those arriving by car, private vehicle storage and seasonal car care are included. For Shinkansen travellers, private transfers are available from Iiyama Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line.

Where this fits in the broader ski industry

The concept isn't entirely new. North American resorts - particularly those operated by Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company - have spent years layering in premium products: priority lift access, private clubs, luxury slopeside real estate, and VIP services. The Yellowstone Club in Montana is arguably the template, having operated as a private ski and golf community for more than two decades.

What makes THE CLUB TOGARI notable is where it's happening. Japan built its international skiing reputation on the opposite model - deep powder, accessible lift tickets, and a relatively low-key resort culture. Resorts like Niseko, Nozawa Onsen, and Hakuba Valley attracted a global following largely because they offered serious skiing without the exclusivity increasingly attached to North American mega-resorts.

THE CLUB TOGARI is a direct challenge to that identity - at least at the top end of the market.

The timing isn't accidental

International demand for Japanese skiing has risen sharply in recent years, driven largely by travellers from Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and North America. That surge in demand has already pushed real estate investment across multiple Japanese ski towns. A private membership club priced in the hundreds of thousands of dollars is a logical, if pointed, response to that demand.

Whether it performs - and whether others follow - will say a lot about how far Japan's ski industry is willing to move from its traditional positioning. For now, THE CLUB TOGARI stands as the only experiment of its kind in Asia.