Right. It's late May. The lifts are done, the groomers are parked up, and anyone still skiing in Japan right now is either hiking Asahidake or genuinely unwell. Both are valid.
This is the dead zone between seasons and honestly it's a great time to think clearly about next winter without the FOMO fog clouding your judgement. Let's run through the regions and what's worth knowing heading into 2026/27.
Hokkaido: Niseko Prices Keep Climbing, Furano Stays Sane
No surprises here. Niseko United's accommodation operators have already started releasing 2026/27 packages and the pricing is, as usual, eye-watering. Grand Hirafu slopeside is basically Aspen money now. If you haven't locked in Hirafu accommodation yet, you're already behind.
The better play? Furano. Seriously. It's still underpriced relative to the snow quality, the town is genuinely Japanese, and Kitanomine and Furano zones together give you plenty to work with. I'd rather be based in Furano than paying triple in Hirafu for the same powder days.
Worth watching: Kiroro has been quietly improving its lift infrastructure over the past couple of seasons. It's not flashy but the terrain is real and the crowds are thin. Keep an eye on their early-bird pass deals which usually drop around July.
Asahidake is technically still skiable right now via hiking access. If you're in Hokkaido and fit enough to bootpack, there's reportedly still a decent snowpack up high. Not lift-accessed, obviously, but there you go.
Tohoku: Zao's Ice Monsters Need a Big Season
Zao Onsen had a patchy 2025/26 season with some warm spells in January that knocked the famous juhyo (snow monsters) around a bit. The tree coverage up top took a hit. Fingers crossed for a colder La Nina-influenced winter in 2026/27 because when Zao is good, it's genuinely one of the most memorable ski experiences in Japan.
Hakkoda is worth a mention here too. If you haven't done a day of touring or cat skiing out of Aomori city, put it on the list. The resort itself is small but the backcountry access is exceptional and the onsen situation in the area is top notch.
Appi Kogen is the safe bet for families and groups wanting groomed runs and solid infrastructure. Not the most exciting but it delivers consistently.
Nagano: Hakuba Planning Season Is Right Now
Hakuba Valley's peak accommodation books out faster every year. If you're targeting the February powder window (roughly Feb 1 to 20 is historically the sweet spot for Hakuba), get your Echoland or Wadano accommodation sorted before September. After that you're looking at whatever's left, which usually isn't great value.
A few things to know for next season:
- Happo-One's upper mountain is the go-to when it's snowing. The Riesen run in fresh snow is as good as anything in Japan.
- Cortina remains the deep snow magnet in the valley. Small, slow lifts, but the powder stash between the trees is ridiculous when it dumps.
- Hakuba 47 and Goryu are linked and good for a mixed group with varying ability levels.
- Iwatake has great views of the Northern Alps and is usually less crowded than the main valley resorts.
Nozawa Onsen continues to be one of the best all-round ski towns in Japan. The Nagasaka gondola gets you up quickly, the Uenotaira plateau is excellent for cruising, and the free onsen in town (the soto-yu) are a ritual you won't want to skip.
Shiga Kogen is worth a look if you want variety. Twenty-one linked resorts, a Shinkansen connection via Nagano city, and some genuinely underrated terrain around Yokoteyama and Yakebitai. It doesn't get the hype of Hakuba but it's a solid week.
Niigata: Pass Value Is Hard to Beat
The Yuzawa area is the easiest Japan ski trip from Tokyo and the value is still there if you pick the right resort. Kagura and Mitsumata hold snow the latest in the region, often skiing into May on the upper mountain. For 2026/27 they're worth watching for early-bird pass deals.
Naeba is the big one, literally. Dragondola connecting to Kagura is a great day out. Naeba's Prince Hotel setup isn't everyone's cup of tea aesthetically but it works efficiently.
Myoko Kogen (specifically Akakura Onsen and Suginohara) is criminally underrated. Deep snowpack, good tree skiing, a proper onsen town feel, and you can often find accommodation cheaper than Hakuba for similar or better snow. Lotte Arai Resort next door is the flashy newer option if you want the full resort experience.
Central Honshu and Western Honshu: Worth a Day Trip, Not a Week
Dynaland and Takasu Snow Park in Gifu are fine for a day trip from Nagoya or Osaka but you're not building a ski holiday around them. Ski Jam Katsuyama in Fukui is the best of this region for a longer session.
Daisen in Tottori is the most interesting resort in western Japan. It's on an active volcano, the views over the Sea of Japan are unreal on a clear day, and the local crab season overlaps with ski season which is a very good combination.
The Bottom Line for Next Season
Book early, pick a base and commit to it. The biggest mistake Aussie skiers make in Japan is trying to cover too much ground in one trip. Pick one region, stay put, and ski when it dumps. You'll have a better time than the person who spent two days in a car between Hakuba and Niseko.
Next update will focus on early pass deals and any resort upgrade news as it comes through. Stay tuned.
