Michael Fulton
An Australian skier's honest assessment of Furano Ski Resort in Hokkaido, Japan. Discover why this resort offers exceptional powder skiing at half the price of Australian mountains, with 28 runs across two zones, impressive terrain variety, and authentic Japanese mountain culture that delivers on Japan's legendary skiing reputation.
Michael Fulton
The latest international ski tourism data reveals stark industry concentration, with just nine countries dominating global skiing. The USA leads with 60.5 million visits, whilst China shows explosive growth and traditional Alpine destinations face different challenges from climate change to currency strength.
Michael Fulton
Explore the world's most popular ski destinations as we analyse the top nine countries by annual skier visits. From the United States to Sweden, discover how these nations shape the global ski industry and attract millions of visitors each year.
Michael Fulton
Japan's summer-only Gassan ski resort has opened for the 2025 season with a record-breaking 950cm snow depth, offering skiers and riders a unique opportunity to hit the slopes well into July.
Michael Fulton
Singapore's Patience Capital Group plans a $1.4 billion investment in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture, aiming to transform it into a major international ski destination. The project promises economic benefits but raises questions about community integration.
Michael Fulton
Niseko United experienced an exceptional 2024-25 season with 1283cm of total snowfall. December saw the highest accumulation in 20 years, while February brought the season's heaviest 24-hour snowfall.
Michael Fulton
Kagura Ski Resort in Japan's Niigata prefecture experienced unprecedented snowfall, receiving three metres of snow in just three days. The extreme weather forced the resort and neighbouring areas to suspend operations, marking historical closures across the Yuzawa region.
Michael Fulton
Hakuba's Happo One ski resort has recorded its highest snowfall total in 13 years, surpassing the previous record of 619cm set in 2014-15. With more than six weeks of potential snowfall remaining, the 2024-25 season is shaping up to be historically significant for the Japanese resort.
Michael Fulton
From $50 lift tickets and consistent powder in Japan to vast terrain and high-speed lifts in America, we compare what matters: snow quality, terrain size, costs, and resort culture. After skiing both countries multiple times, we break down the key differences to help you decide between Japan's legendary powder or America's premium resorts.
Michael Fulton
Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, experienced its first snowfall of the season on October 20, eight days earlier than average. This early snow has increased anticipation among skiers and riders, with Japanese ski resorts preparing for a promising winter. From Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti's artificial snow preparations to the scheduled openings of major Hokkaido resorts, Japan's ski season is off to an encouraging start.
Sep 14, 2025
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Sep 10, 2025