For those who’re studying this, you’re most likely already conscious that the snowboarding in Japan is actually, actually good. Heck, they even named an entire month after it–Japanuary. With upwards of 400 established ski resorts and lots of lifetimes price of backcountry snowboarding within the nation, the distinctive terrain, bottomless powder, onsens, and scrumptious meals present full immersion in a tradition not like wherever else on the planet. With so many choices to select from, we perceive that it may be tough to piece collectively a visit to Japan.
Right here’s a listing of six of our favourite vacation spot ski resorts in Japan, chosen for his or her terrain, snow high quality, and facilities. Every presents a definite expertise, and it’s actually attainable (and even price it) to take a look at just a few of those in your subsequent pow-chasing journey throughout the Pacific.
Photograph: Takosan / iStock / Getty Photographs Plus by way of Getty Photographs
1. Hakuba Valley
Located on the western coast of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, the Hakuba Valley has been attracting hardcore skiers for many years. House to lots of the venues of the 1998 Nagano Olympic Video games, plus a Freeride World Tour cease, the valley options 10 completely different ski resorts (a few of that are interconnected), plus entry to Japan’s largest and baddest backcountry terrain, with peaks and runs that may rival these in Alaska or the Alps. It’s gnarly, it’s steep and it’s no surprise that the FWT hosted occasions right here for a few years.
Our favorites are Hakuba Happo-One for its backcountry entry, Hakuba 47 and Goryu for limitless groomers and terrain parks, and Hakuba Cortina and neighboring Norikura Onsen for his or her deep powder and limitless choices for treeskiing.
Hakuba Valley resorts are all accessible with an Epic Move.
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Photograph: Cam McLeod
2. Myoko
East of the Hakuba Valley, nonetheless on the primary island of Honshu, the mountains seemingly go on endlessly—tucked someplace in there’s Mount Myoko, a big volcano that’s house to Arai Snow Resort and a handful of smaller unbiased ski areas like Matarao, Myoko Kogen, Myoko Ski Resort, and Seki Onsen. This zone presents a way more conventional Japanese vibe, with small villages, upwards of 800 inches of annual snowfall and traditional Japan-style off-piste treeskiing.
The Myoko space is definitely accessible from Tokyo by way of prepare, and the Arai Snow Resort is accessible with an Ikon Move, making this one of many best locations to succeed in for snowboarding in Japan.
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3. Shiga Kogen
Nonetheless on the primary island, however maybe much less well-liked for North American skiers because it’s not on a mega cross, Shiga Kogen presents a few of the finest intermediate terrain and lower-angle powder snowboarding within the nation. Shiga Kogen is Japan’s highest-elevation resort, which means deep and chilly snow. There’s not a lot by way of a base village and facilities, making this an ideal place to immerse your self in a extra conventional Japanese mountain expertise.
Photograph: Curtis Devore
4. Niseko United
In comparison with the numerous ski resorts on Honshu, Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido presents a lot deeper snow and is the place you’re more likely to seek out that really bottomless Japanese powder snowboarding expertise. The most important and hottest ski resort is Niseko United, which is definitely 4 resorts (Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and An’nupuri) mixed. With views of the legendary Mount Yotei and limitless playful powder snowboarding terrain, Niseko averages over 50 toes of snow a 12 months. Convey your fattest skis, maybe a snorkel, and a wholesome urge for food for nightlife.
Niseko is accessible by way of the Ikon Move.
Photograph: Oskar Enander
5. Kiroro Resort
Simply north of Niseko lies one other gem. Kiroro Resort is without doubt one of the finest locations for households in Japan, with wonderful carry infrastructure, loads of English-speaking instruction and staffing, and terrain for everybody, together with these on the lookout for an actual deep-snow journey. Drop the children off at ski faculty and head into the bushes for just a few bottomless laps earlier than assembly up once more for scrumptious ramen at lunch.
6. Furano
Situated additional inland than the Niseko-area resorts, Furano presents a a lot much less resort-ified expertise, typically higher climate, and wonderful inbounds snowboarding. There’s loads of backcountry terrain accessible from this a part of the island, however the resort itself has much less on supply on the subject of off-piste snowboarding, as an alternative specializing in maximizing the expertise inbounds. It’s additionally comparatively cheaper than most different resorts within the space, so it is properly price a day or two’s journey to go to!
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