The archipelago of Japan extends with its four main islands with a climate differing from North to South. With mountain ranges stretching like a spine all across the country, Japan offers with unique climatic and geographical features abundant snow from north to central highland resulting with excellent snow resorts. In Japan, the ski season usually runs from January to March but for some regions such as Hokkaido and Tohoku, some ski resorts already open from December and close around May making Japan for some regions among one of the longest place in the world to enjoy winter sports. Check our snow forecast report each day and explore not only Japan's best ski resorts but also get an amazing opportunity to be right in sensational sightseeing scenes.

Main Skiing Areas:

Hokkaido region	:	Hokkaido is located at the north end of Japan and offers international-class ski resorts with perfect powder snow. Each year, Niseko, one of the most popular ski resorts, attracts a growing number of skiers from Australia.
Tohoku region	:	Tohoku is situated in northern Honshu (the main island) possesses beautiful scenery: especially the Zao Mountains which are famous for large-scale slope, onsen (hot springs) and even more.
Joetsu region	:	Joetsu is located in the central region of Honshu along the Sea of Japan. Easily accessible from Tokyo by Shinkansen (Bullet trains) or by expressway, this region is highly popular among Japanese which often spent ski holidays over there. Good services and facilities are available such as lifts, restaurants, lockers, spas, renting ski gears and more. Just bring yourself and enjoy skiing in Joetsu.
Shinetsu region	:	Shinetsu is situated in the western central region of Honshu. A series of mountain range called the Japanese Alps offers plenty of trails for beginners, intermediates, and experts. Nagano - one of the areas where used to stage a Worldwide famous event in 1998: the Nagano Olympic Games.

• Japan's ski resorts attracts skiers of all ages and of every level. Many ski resorts have skiing area at the foot of the mountain where kids enjoy sledding and skiing. Generally, the courses are getting difficult, according to the top of the mountain. However, some ski resorts have gentle slopes at the top of mountain.
• The lifts and gondola lifts (=aerial cable car lift) are well arranged. In some large ski resorts, a helicopter takes you to the top of mountain.
• Most of ski resorts have perfectly groomed runs and the bumpy or tree runs for experts. Beginners enjoy skiing down gentle slopes and expert skiers try skiing in moguls or advanced terrains. In winter sun will set around 5 pm, however, many of ski resorts have the night ski operations.

In Hokkaido and Tohoku regions, it is quite usual for most of visitors who get there by airplane or/and train/coach to stay more than a week for a full refreshing holiday at hotels right next to ski resorts by enjoying a full day skiing. It is even possible after dinner at a hotel for some skiers go skiing at night. For those who are looking for quick and accessible ski spots, Hokkaido is also full of resorts around Sapporo City where skiers are able to stay in Sapporo and reach most of resorts by bus. The regions of Joetsu and Shinetsu are easily accessible from Tokyo by Shinkansen (Bullet trains) allowing you to access these resorts in a very short time: for example, about 90 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo station to "Gala Yuzawa" in Joetsu. Also, one of the greatest advantage of skiing in Japan is the possibility for you, if you are lacking of time, to perfectly enjoy one-day trips as ski resort coach tours are organized from major cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, and Osaka: leave the city in the middle of the night, arrive to your ski resort by early in the morning, enjoy a whole day skiing and get back home the same evening!

(A) Lift tickets
As most ski areas offer lift tickets or lift passes, you will have to buy lift tickets. For some ski resorts as they are interconnected with each other, you are able with one ski pass to have access to others. For the evening time, you will need special night-skiing tickets. If you are lucky, some ski resorts might accept you to board gondola lifts (=aerial cable car lift) and rope tows according to your pass but for some you will need additional fees. So please check lift ticket prices beforehand.

(B) Renting ski gears
You can rent almost all ski equipments and ski wears such as skis, snowboards, boots, and more. Japan's ski resorts provide family-friendly skiing and they have also kid's ski gears. (Note: if you're over 190 cm or have larger feet over 30 cm, please make sure to ask ski resorts staff for assistance before rental.)

(C) Ski lessons
Ski lessons are offered for all abilities - from beginners to advanced skiers, and some ski resorts offer skiing lessons in English, too. Even if you're first time skier, you will enjoy skiing in Japan!

You can use a mobile phone in most of ski resorts so that even, if you rent a mobile phone, you can easily keep in touch with your family or friends. Japan's ski resorts also provide first aid and rescue services: if you or others members in your group happen to get hurt or simply feel unwell, do not hesitate to ask assistance or to call a patroller which will come to help you at once.

After great fun and a hard day of skiing, dip yourself into a nearby hot spring for a full rewarding relaxation or/and try exquisite local food as each of those regions offer a traditional cuisine and a huge variety of sake (rice wines).