Right, let's be straight with you. It's May 30. The lifts are stopped, the grooming machines are parked up, and the only snow left in Japan is sitting on the tops of volcanoes and in the Daisetsuzan range looking moody. There's nothing to ski right now and there won't be until late November at the earliest.
But this is actually one of the best times of year to get your ducks in a row for next season. Resort upgrades get announced, pass deals open up, and flight prices to Sapporo and Osaka are as cheap as they'll ever be. Let's do a quick region-by-region rundown of what's happening and what to watch.
Hokkaido: Asahidake Held On, Everything Else Is Done
Asahidake, up in Daisetsuzan National Park, was the last one standing as usual. It typically runs into late May on a good year, and 2026 was a reasonable one. If you've never done Asahidake, put it on the list. It's a single ropeway, completely ungroomed, and it skis like nothing else in Japan. Proper mountain terrain.
Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Furano - all closed for weeks now. Furano usually wraps up around early May and that's exactly what happened. Tomamu shut its doors in mid-April.
Worth watching: Niseko United has been hinting at lift infrastructure upgrades on the Hanazono side for a couple of seasons now. Nothing confirmed for 26-27 yet but keep an eye on their announcements through June and July. Kiroro also had some solid snowfall records last season and is quietly becoming a better option for people who want Niseko-quality snow without the Niseko circus.
Tohoku: Gassan Is Your Spring Fix
If you're absolutely desperate for snow and can get to Japan in the next few weeks, Gassan in Yamagata is your one shot. It's a spring-only mountain and it runs on snowpack alone, no snowmaking. Some years it goes until late June. It's not groomed resort skiing - it's wide open spring bowls and you hike for your turns - but it's genuinely good fun and the scenery is ridiculous.
Zao Onsen and Appi Kogen have both been shut since late March. Hakkoda, which had a cracking season in 2025-26 with some seriously deep powder days in February, is also done.
Zao is one to watch for next season if you haven't been. The juhyo (ice monsters) up on the ridge are worth the trip alone, and the onsen town at the base is brilliant.
Nagano: Hakuba Counting Down to December
All closed. Happo-One, Goryu, Cortina, Nozawa Onsen - everyone packed up in late March or April. Cortina usually goes a bit later than the others thanks to its position and tree skiing focus, but even that's done now.
The big news for Hakuba in the off-season is the ongoing development pressure around the valley. It's getting more international attention every year and accommodation prices have moved significantly. If you're planning a Hakuba trip for 2026-27, book early. Seriously. The good places in Echoland and around Wadano fill up fast now.
Shiga Kogen is worth a mention too. It's 21 linked resorts on one pass and most Australians completely overlook it. It's a long drive or bus from Nagano city but the scale of the place is impressive and it's far less crowded than Hakuba.
Niigata: Kagura Went Late, Now It's Done
Kagura and Mitsumata on the Naeba side typically run the longest in Niigata and this season was no different. They kept the lifts turning into early May on the upper mountain. All done now though.
Naeba proper shut in April. Gala Yuzawa, which is directly connected to the shinkansen and is the easiest possible resort to access from Tokyo, wrapped up around the same time.
If you're planning a Niigata trip next season, Lotte Arai Resort is worth serious consideration. It's expensive by Japanese standards but the terrain is genuinely excellent and it doesn't get the same foot traffic as Naeba or Gala.
Central Honshu and Kanto: Nothing to See Here
Dynaland, Takasu Snow Park, Ski Jam Katsuyama - all shut since March. Same story for Hunter Mountain Shiobara and the Gunma resorts. These areas rely heavily on snowmaking and they're the first to go when temperatures climb.
Kawaba in Gunma is a good little resort that not enough people talk about. Short season but easy access from Tokyo and decent terrain for its size. One to consider if you're doing a quick trip and don't want to go all the way to Nagano.
Western Honshu: Daisen Wraps Up Another Quiet Season
Daisen in Tottori is the main act out west and it's been closed since March. It's a solid resort if you're already in the Kansai or Chugoku region and want a ski day without flying to Hokkaido. Don't expect Japow levels of snow but it's a fun mountain.
What to Actually Do Right Now
Three things worth doing in the next few weeks. First, look at the Hakuba Valley Tourism Organisation and Niseko United websites for any early-bird accommodation or lift pass deals. They sometimes drop pre-season pricing in June. Second, if you're an Ikon Pass or Epic Pass holder, check whether your pass covers Japan resorts for 2026-27 - those announcements usually land by August. Third, start watching long-range La Nina and ENSO forecasts from around September. They're not gospel but they give you a rough read on whether Hokkaido is shaping up for a big powder season.
Next season is about six months away. That sounds like ages but the good Niseko chalets and the powder-day-friendly accommodation in Furano books out fast. Get on it.
