Right, it's late May. The lifts are done, the groomers are parked up, and the only snow left in Japan is sitting on the tops of Asahidake and maybe a stubborn patch on Gassan. So this isn't a conditions report. It's a debrief, and more importantly, a nudge to get your next season sorted before the good deals disappear.
Hokkaido: Season Wrap and What's Coming
Niseko United closed out March with a solid final week. The 2025/26 season delivered decent mid-January powder but was patchy in February, which has honestly become a theme. Climate creep is real up there and anyone who tells you otherwise hasn't been watching the snowfall data year on year.
Furano had one of its better late seasons, staying open into early April with some genuinely good snow above 1,000m. If you've never done a Furano trip, it's still the most underrated major resort in Hokkaido. Less crowded than Niseko, better tree skiing than people give it credit for, and the town is just a better vibe.
Kiroro is worth watching heading into next season. There's been talk of further infrastructure investment and the resort has been quietly punching above its weight for a few years now. Keep an eye on their early-bird pass pricing in August.
Asahidake, being a volcanic mountain rather than a proper resort, technically still has snow right now. But there's no lift running so it's splitboard or touring territory. If that's your thing, go nuts.
Tohoku: Zao Hangs On the Longest
Zao Onsen in Yamagata is usually the last major resort standing in Tohoku and this season was no different. The juhyo (snow monsters) were excellent in January and February, which is really what you go to Zao for. If you haven't built a Zao trip around that phenomenon, you're missing the point.
Hakkoda had a ripper of a backcountry season. It's not a resort in the traditional sense but the guided powder tours there are some of the best in Japan. Booking those for next season fills up fast so if you're keen, don't wait until October.
Appi Kogen had a solid family-focused season. Nothing to blow your mind but consistently groomed, reliable, and the onsen situation is excellent. Good pick if you're travelling with kids or non-skiers.
Nagano: Hakuba Still Leads, Nozawa Still Charms
Hakuba had a mixed bag this season. Happo-One was great when it was good, but there were lean patches in December and early January that frustrated a lot of early bookers. Cortina, as usual, delivered the best tree skiing in the valley. If you're a powder chaser and you're not spending at least a day or two at Cortina on a Hakuba trip, sort yourself out.
Nozawa Onsen was quietly excellent. The village atmosphere is unmatched, the snow held up well through February, and the free onsens in town are still one of the best things in Japanese skiing. I'd take a week in Nozawa over a week in Niseko most years, honestly.
Shiga Kogen is worth a mention because it's so often overlooked by international visitors. 21 linked resorts, massive vertical variety, and way fewer foreign tourists than Hakuba. The lack of English signage can be a bit of an adventure but that's half the fun.
On the sad news front, the Karuizawa ski tour bus crash from 2016 is back in the news after another guilty verdict for the bus operators. That crash killed 15 university students. A sobering reminder to check the credentials of any charter bus company you book for mountain transfers. Don't just go with the cheapest option.
Niigata: Kagura and the Late Season Hero Move
Kagura, specifically the Mitsumata side, is always the Niigata resort that holds snow the longest. It's at higher elevation than most of the Yuzawa cluster and the north-facing terrain keeps things cold. If you're a late-season skier who wants actual snow rather than slush, Kagura is your answer in this region.
Naeba had a decent enough season. The Dragondola linking it to Kagura is still one of the coolest lift infrastructure experiences in Japan. Worth doing at least once.
Gala Yuzawa is the bullet train resort and it's exactly what it sounds like: convenient, accessible, good for a day trip from Tokyo, not somewhere you'd base a serious ski holiday. But for a day out from the city? Genuinely hard to beat for ease.
What to Do Right Now (Off-Season Checklist)
Since we're firmly in planning mode, here's what I'd be doing this week:
- Check if your target resort has released 2026/27 season pass pricing. Some Hokkaido resorts drop early-bird deals in June.
- Look at JR Pass options now. The pricing structure changed and it's worth comparing regional passes versus the full national pass depending on your itinerary.
- Book accommodation in Nozawa or Furano early if you're targeting January. Those places fill up faster than people expect.
- If you're eyeing a Hakkoda backcountry tour, email the guide operators now. Not in September. Now.
The Japan Times mentioned the government is considering language requirements for residency visas, which is a longer-term thing but worth watching if you're one of the growing number of Aussies thinking about a ski season work stint in Japan.
Also, speedskating legend Miho Takagi is being considered for a government honour after retiring with 10 Winter Olympic medals. Nothing to do with skiing but she's a genuine Japanese winter sports icon and deserves the recognition.
That's the wrap for May 22. Next roundup will flag any early resort announcements or pass deals as they drop. Stay warm, start planning, and don't leave your Hakuba accommodation booking until November like some kind of amateur.
