G'day snow chasers. It's 9 April 2026 and yes, most of Japan has already pulled the pin on the 25/26 season — but not all of it. If you've got flexibility and a bit of adventurous spirit, there's still skiing to be had. Here's the full rundown by region, plus a few things worth knowing as we start eyeing the 26/27 season.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido's big guns have mostly closed or are in their final days. Niseko United wrapped up its main lifts at the end of March, and Rusutsu and Kiroro have both called it. But here's the good news for the true diehards: Furano is still spinning lifts on its upper mountain, with reported base depths around 90–110cm near the top — genuinely respectable for early April. If you're up in Hokkaido and want one last crack at groomers with a view of the Tokachi plains, Furano is your move. Get in quick though, closing weekend is coming up fast.
Up in the alpine zone, Asahidake — Japan's highest ski area — is technically still accessible via ropeway, and the snowpack up there is still sitting comfortably above 2 metres at elevation. No grooming, no ski patrol coverage on the higher routes, so you need your touring gear and solid backcountry experience. But for those who've got both, Asahidake in April is genuinely magical. Blue skies, crusty morning snow that softens beautifully by midday, and almost no one else around. Bliss.
Tohoku
Tohoku is quietly one of the best late-season regions in Japan and doesn't get nearly enough love from Aussie visitors. Zao Onsen in Yamagata is still open and offering a solid mix of groomed runs and tree skiing on a base that's been well above average this season. The famous juhyo (snow monsters) are long gone, but the atmosphere of skiing into an onsen town at day's end never gets old.
Hakkoda, the backcountry mecca near Aomori, is still seeing skiers lap the ropeway and drop into the trees. Snowpack at the summit is still generous. This is also a good shout for anyone interested in the hidden-gem end of Japanese skiing — Ski Asia this week spotlighted Namari Onsen over in Hanamaki (Iwate Prefecture), a tiny resort that genuinely feels like a step back in time. It's not about vertical or grooming — it's about a slow, nostalgic kind of skiing that Japan does better than anywhere. Worth a look if you're in the area.
Speaking of Iwate — Shizukuishi near Morioka has also been getting some well-deserved attention lately for its groomed corduroy and tree skiing. Mid-sized, low-key, and sitting in the shadow of Mt. Iwate. Solid option if you want to avoid the crowds entirely.
Nagano
Nagano's season is winding down but not out. In Hakuba Valley, most of the smaller areas have closed, but Happo-One is still running upper lifts on a base of around 130cm at the top station — that's genuinely good late-season depth. Cortina, which always holds snow well thanks to its northerly aspect and dense forest, is also still open with some lovely spring conditions through the trees.
A nice reminder from Ski Asia this week: Hakuba Goryu — often overlooked in favour of its flashier neighbours — is one of the best family-friendly setups in the entire valley. Interlinked with Hakuba 47, it's got 900m of vertical and a very approachable vibe. File that one away for your 26/27 planning.
Over at Nozawa Onsen, the upper mountain around Yamabiko is still open and the village is doing what it always does — being absolutely perfect. If you've never done a late-season trip to Nozawa, the quieter crowds and hot spring culture make it a seriously underrated experience. Shiga Kogen has consolidated lifts to a handful of areas on the upper plateau but there's still terrain to be found if you're prepared to do a bit of legwork between zones.
Niigata
Niigata's season is pretty much done. Most of the Yuzawa resorts — Gala Yuzawa, Naeba, Kagura/Mitsumata — have closed or are on final weekend operations. Kagura sometimes stretches into May on the upper Tashiro section, so keep an eye on their website if you're chasing the last laps. Myoko Kogen has wrapped up across most of its resorts, though the area remains beautiful and the onsen are still very much open for business.
Kanto (Gunma / Tochigi)
Pretty much closed out for the season. Tambara and Kawaba have both shut their gates for 25/26. If you're based in Tokyo and still keen, your best bets are day trips to whatever Niigata or Nagano areas are still spinning — the shinkansen to Gala Yuzawa is still your fastest option for a snow fix from the capital.
Looking Ahead: 26/27 Season Planning
With the season winding down, now is the time to do your homework for next year. Ski Asia flagged this week that there are some genuinely interesting commercial and lodge properties hitting the market across Hakuba, Niseko, and Furano — so if you've ever dreamed of owning a piece of the action in Japan, the off-season is when deals move. Worth a browse if that's on your radar.
Stay tuned to Piquno through the off-season — we'll be tracking resort upgrades, lift infrastructure news, early season pass deals, and the first snowfall reports as we roll toward November. Japan isn't going anywhere, and neither are we. See you on the hill.