Season Wind-Down: What's Still Open and What to Book for Next Winter

Right, so it's the 14th of April and let's be honest, the 2025/26 Japan ski season is basically done. A handful of resorts are still spinning lifts but most have pulled the pin. If you're still chasing turns, your options are slim. And if you're already dreaming about next season, well, good, because now's actually a great time to sort your plans.

Hokkaido

Asahidake is the one to watch up here. Being a volcano and sitting at proper altitude, it tends to hang on longer than anywhere else in Hokkaido. It's running on natural conditions so don't expect groomed corduroy, but there's still some decent snowpack up top for those willing to hike. Kurodake nearby is in a similar boat, worth checking their website before making the trip though.

Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Furano, all done for the season. Tomamu called it a few weeks back too. If you were hoping to squeeze in a late Hokkaido powder hit, that ship has sailed. The good news is the resorts are already starting to talk about next season upgrades. Hanazono has been hinting at new lift infrastructure and Kiroro has had ongoing ownership changes that should bring some investment. Watch this space.

Tohoku

Gassan is the standout here. It's one of the last resorts in Japan to open each year and one of the last to close, running well into May and sometimes June on its upper snowfields. They're not open quite yet for spring skiing but keep an eye on their site, they usually fire up around Golden Week. It's a bit of a hidden gem for Aussies who want to extend the season without flying to South America.

Zao Onsen in Yamagata had a solid season and the famous snow monsters are long gone at this point, but the resort itself closes around now. If you haven't done Zao yet, put it on the list for next season. There's nothing quite like those juhyo trees anywhere else on earth.

Hakkoda near Aomori is another that can hold snow late given its northern position and altitude. Worth a look if you're in the area, but ring ahead before making a special trip.

Nagano

Hakuba's resorts have mostly wrapped up. Happo-One and Goryu typically close around now or just after, and the village is already shifting into that quiet between-season mode. The gondola at Happo runs for sightseeing in warmer months so there's still a reason to visit, just don't bring your skis.

Shiga Kogen hangs on a bit later at the higher elevation areas. Yokoteyama and a couple of the upper lifts sometimes run into mid-April. Check their website directly because conditions change week to week up there.

For next season, Nozawa Onsen is one worth booking early. It had a brilliant season in 2025/26 and accommodation fills up fast once the early powder forecasts come out in November. If you're a fan of a proper onsen town with great intermediate terrain, Nozawa should be near the top of your list.

Niigata

Kagura and Mitsumata are genuinely one of the best late-season options in Japan. Kagura sits high enough that it regularly runs into May. The spring slush in the morning can be a bit ordinary but if you time it right and get up there before 11am, the snow is surprisingly good. And the views across to Naeba are brilliant in that clear spring air.

Gala Yuzawa has closed for the season, which honestly wasn't a surprise given it's more of a day-trip resort for Tokyo crowds. Naeba is also done. But if you want one more lap before June, Kagura is genuinely your best shot in Niigata.

Central Honshu

Ski Jam Katsuyama in Fukui was still hanging in there through late March but would have closed by now. Dynaland and Takasu Snow Park in Gifu are both done. This region doesn't get the altitude or snowfall to make April skiing viable in most years. Nothing to see here right now, but these resorts are great value mid-season options for anyone staying in Nagoya or Osaka next winter.

Kanto

Tambara in Gunma sometimes surprises with a late close date but realistically the Kanto resorts are all shut by now. Kawaba and Marunuma Kogen had decent seasons but they're lower altitude and the warm spring temperatures do their thing quickly. Plan your Kanto skiing for January and February next season for the best conditions.

Looking Ahead to 2026/27

April is actually a decent time to sort your Japan ski trip for next winter. Early bird accommodation deals pop up from some Hakuba lodges and Niseko operators around this time of year. The yen has been doing its thing lately so locking in travel money now isn't a terrible idea if you've got a trip in mind.

The Japan Today climate report out recently flagged that Japan's greenhouse gas cuts slowed in FY2024. It's a reminder that snowfall patterns are something worth watching for long-term planning. That said, Hokkaido and the Sea of Japan coast resorts have shown solid snowfall the past few seasons, so there's no panic yet.

Keep an eye on Piquno through the off-season for resort upgrade news, pass announcements, and early season snowpack previews. The 2026/27 season will come around faster than you think.