Why Ski Experts Say Japan Is Asia’s Top Winter Destination

In October, the Japan Meteorological Agency released its long-range winter outlook—and it was music to skiers’ ears. The forecast predicted a “greater than usual” chance of above-average snowfall across several of Japan’s top ski regions. Perfect timing, because when we tapped our network of ski insiders to find out where to carve the most memorable turns, and the consensus was clear: for deep snow, world-class terrain, and an unforgettable travel experience, Japan is the place to be this winter.

“Japan. It’s home to some of the deepest snow on the planet, cherry blossom views, and a cultural après-ski experience like nowhere else,” Jonah Drescher of Christy Sports told Travel + Leisure. “Imagine the biggest lake effect in the world coming off the Pacific Ocean into massive island-based mountains. It’s a must-see.”

And naturally, he’s far from alone. As Marnie McLaren, the chief concierge at The Snow Concierge, which crafts bespoke snow itineraries for visitors to Japan, shared, “We may be a little biased, but we don’t think you can beat a snow trip to this incredible country. While most have heard of Niseko’s famed powder, few North Americans have discovered the spectacular snow-capped Japanese Alps.” 

Their top pick for the region is the village of Hakuba, just outside Nagano, which comes “surrounded by 10 resorts blessed with incredible snowfalls and some of the best powder adventures Japan has to offer.” McLaren added that the village offers excellent dining options and a thriving après-ski scene, making it a “winning combination.”

“Hakuba is easily accessible and caters to everyone from beginners to backcountry experts. Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass holders also ski free for five consecutive days in Hakuba without restriction, making it even more attractive,” McLaren said. 

And McLaren isn’t alone in this assessment. T+L digital editor Mae Hamilton agrees, noting that Hakuba Valley offers a great bit of history as the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics and is a “wonderful alternative to more crowded places in Japan, like Hokkaido. It’s just a few hours away from Tokyo by bullet train and has some of the best powder in the world. Not to mention, there’s nothing like coming off the mountain to a warm bowl of curry or ramen.” 

Of course, Graham Hill, founder of SapporoCity.com, also recommends visiting Hokkaido, which he promises has “some of the best snow in the world.”

“Japan powder snow is world-famous—some like to call it ‘Ja-pow,'” he explained. “The main island of Honshu has some very good skiing and snowboarding, but Hokkaido is the northern island of Japan (very close to Russia), and has a strong reputation for deep, light, fluffy powder snow, coming off the Sea of Japan. When it’s good, it’s really good.” 

Specifically, he said travelers should head to Sapporo Teine for one of the “best experiences in Japan.” 

“Mt. Teine is the mountain, and Sapporo Teine is a small, local resort, located just 30 minutes from Sapporo,” Hill said. “By car, a visitor could leave their hotel in the center of the city, and be at the slope in under 45 minutes. On a good day, you could be thigh-high in powder, and often, without the crowds. If you step off the trail, there is fantastic backcountry skiing, with no need to hike (you can take the chair lift back up to the top).” 

So consider this your sign: book the flight, wax the skis, and head to Japan.