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Latest in Japan
Fairmont Niseko: New Luxury Resort Revives Stalled La Plume Site for Early 2028 Opening
Fairmont is bringing its second Japanese property to Niseko, and this one's got history. The 165-room resort will rise on the site of the stalled La Plume project, which collapsed into bankruptcy in 2025 before J-Will Partners bought the site for redevelopment. Set between Mount Yotei and Mount Annupuri, it's slated for an early 2028 opening - putting it in play for the 2027/28 season. Expect two restaurants, a spa, onsen bathing, and a kids' club, a short drive from Niseko Village and Hirafu.
Why a Lift Ticket Costs $356 at Vail and €76 in Austria - And Almost Nobody Pays the American Price
A lift ticket at Vail hit $356 US this season. In Austria, a day at Kitzbühel still costs around €76. At Perisher, which Vail bought in 2015, the window rate has roughly doubled against inflation in a decade - while just across the Tasman, where Vail owns nothing, prices stayed put. Same sport, same snow, wildly different outcomes depending on who owns the lift. We went through the SEC filings, the court records and the pass math to work out why. Full breakdown below, video included.
Niseko Village Unveils 86-Cabin Gondola With Glass Floors and VIP Dining Cabins
Niseko Village has announced plans for the Morino Gondola - an 86-cabin lift set to open in December 2026, replacing the resort's ageing two-seat Mori-no chairlift that's been running since the 1980s. The new gondola includes four VIP cabins with dining tables and two glass-floor cabins for a full view of the terrain below. Capacity will double, and a second phase extending to the 970m summit is planned for December 2027. Niseko Village is on the Ikon Pass.
Asia's First Private Ski Resort is Opening in Japan - THE CLUB TOGARI
Japan is about to get its first private ski resort. THE CLUB TOGARI opens at Togari Onsen near Nozawa Onsen in December 2026, offering members-only access to a dedicated ski zone, a private clubhouse, and ski-in ski-out real estate. Initial memberships are priced at JPY 20,400,000 (around $128,000 USD), capped at 400 members. It's a significant departure from the affordable, accessible skiing Japan has long been known for.
Global Skier Visits Hit Record 399 Million in 2024-25 - Here's Who's Leading
The 2024-25 ski season set a new global record with 399 million skier visits worldwide - more people on snow than ever before. Nine countries account for nearly 80% of that total, with the US, France, and Austria holding the top three spots. Japan posted the biggest jump of any major market, driven largely by Australian and North American visitors chasing powder.
Canadian Freeskier Kai Smart Dies Following Avalanche in Japan
Kai Smart, a 23-year-old freeskier and filmmaker from Whistler, has died from injuries sustained in an avalanche burial in Japan. The son of two-time Canadian Olympian John Smart was repatriated to Vancouver before his death on March 23.
Four Injured in Rare Full-Depth Avalanche on Patrolled Terrain at Madarao Kogen
A full-depth avalanche on a marked powder run at Madarao Kogen injured four skiers and riders on February 28, raising questions about inbounds avalanche risk during warm weather conditions. The slide occurred despite morning inspections showing no warning signs.
Melbourne Skier Dies in Niseko Backcountry Incident
A 27-year-old Melbourne man has died while skiing unpatrolled backcountry terrain in Niseko, Japan. Michael "Micky" Hurst fell behind his group of seven skiers and was found unconscious on Monday afternoon. He died from a suspected heart attack after being transported to hospital. The incident marks the second fatal accident involving an Australian skier in Japan within days, following the death of Queensland's Brooke Day in a chairlift accident at Hakuba Valley.
Ikon Pass Expands Asia Offering: Analysing the Implications
Ikon Pass adds 9 new Asian destinations for 2025-26, significantly increasing its presence in Japan, China and South Korea. But what does this expansion really mean for pass holders and the wider ski industry?
Furano Ski Resort Review: Japan's Best Value Powder Experience in Hokkaido
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.
Global Ski Industry Rankings: Nine Countries Control 366 Million Annual Visits
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.
Global Ski Tourism: Top 9 Countries by Annual Skier Visits
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.
Gassan Ski Resort Opens 2025 Season with Record 950cm Snow Depth
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.
Myoko's $1.4 Billion Ski Resort Investment: Economic Growth and Community Impact
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.
Niseko's Record-Breaking 2024-25 Snow Season
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.
Record-Breaking Snowfall Buries Japan's Kagura Ski Resort Under 3 Metres in 3 Days
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.
Hakuba's Record-Breaking 2025 Season Hits 13-Year Snowfall High
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.
Skiing in Japan vs USA: Which Country Offers Better Value in 2024?
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.
Early Snowfall in Sapporo Signals Start of Japan's Ski Season
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.
These Are The Best Japan Ski Deals In 2024
January is nearing its end, but the ski season in Japan is still in full swing, with ample powder days remaining due to recent storm systems. This season stands out as Japan has finally lifted all previous restrictions, including those on visitation and venue capacities, making the country fully accessible once again. We are gearing up for their seventh trip to Japan, but their first for skiing and snowboarding.
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More from the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.