Prince Hotel BlogsJapan has so much going for it, from street food to world-class shopping, that often travellers don’t realise that Japan Ski Resorts have some of the best powdery skiing you can get internationally, including the likes of Aspen and the French Alps. Not a regular slalom-superhero? That is okay – there are plenty of spots in Japan that are perfect for beginners, and a great way to catch the ski-bug of never wanting to do anything else for your holidays.
Before you delve through this list of the best resorts in Japan, a few important facts: the Japan Ski Season is from mid-January through to early-April, with peak seasons including Christmas, the calandar New Year, Chinese New Year, Nozawa Onsen’s Fire Festival and over the Sapporo Snow Festival. These can either be guidelines of when you don’t go if you want as empty a slope as possible as a beginner, as well as a motivator to get booking during that period if the idea of a jam-packed ski school fills your social soul with excitement.
Found in Nagano Japan is often described as an all-rounder destination. This is perfect for travelling with a whole family, or with people with varying skiing skills. For instance, the best ski resorts for kids are all well and good to visit if you too are a beginner, but if there isn’t a wide range of scope and runs for you to enjoy too if you have been skiing for years, the holiday can become a bit repetitive. That is what makes Shiga Kogen so great: your lift pass is essentially open-access to a range of different classes of run. This ski area is massive, spanning from a height of 1340m to 2307m and showing off with 51 lifts.
Address: 7148 Hirao, Yamanochi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401, Japan
More info: https://www.shigakogen-ski.com/en
This resort in Yamagata in the northeastern region of Tohoku is operated by Zao Onsen Tourism Association, who take pride in their work and in delivering the best Japanese skiing experience imaginable. Thankfully for them, the snow conditions in the region make that job a lot simpler, with regular snow dumps making for the most elegant, white, pristine runs. This is a great resort for beginners, as there are a number of easy runs which run all the way back to the village, meaning you never find yourself on top of what seems like a perilous icy peak with no way to get down without braving the elements. There are seven local ski schools, meaning your lessons are covered and within no time, you will be headed higher and higher until you are off-piste-ing your way down the Snow Monster Area.
Address: Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan
More info: http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/english/
This beginner-friendly ski resort in Minamiuonuma of Niigata Prefecture is a snowy-haven for both skiers and snowboarders alike. Their only entry requirement is a passion for fun, snow sports and natural beauty. It comes with the highest reviews, an incredible spread of restaurants and accomodation, as well as unbelievably good snow-fall. Given the fact that people have been skiing here since 1949, it can be safely assumed that this resort knows how to run – and how to do it well. During the peak seasons, it is particularly great – especially for beginners – as you can buy a lift pass that covers three resorts in Ishiuchi Maruyama – the Hatsukaishi Entrance the main Chuo Entrance and the Kanko Entrance. This is important for beginners in particular because it means there are a fair few more “easy” runs which can now be used, rather than feeling pressured to try the trickier ones in a smaller resort once you run out.
Address: 1655 Ishiuchi, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-6372, Japan
More info: http://ishiuchi.or.jp/
If you thought skiing was all about the crisp, cold outdoor mountains, then you clearly have yet to visit a resort which also has onsen baths – an absolutely essential element for beginners spending a good portion of their travels picking themselves up after a bit of a tumble and needing to soak away their aches in a relaxing hot spring. Nothing soothes the strained ski muscles quite like it. If you are looking to ski more consistently, without stopping, starting and being on and off of baby-slope lifts, then this is perfect: particularly the 10km run! This resort just out of Nozawaonsen village in Nagano Prefecture has gained popularity significantly since the Nagano Olympics, but it has always been a pinnacle of wow-powder and really spacious runs perfect for practicing your turns when you are first starting out.
Address: 7653 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai District, Nagano 389-2502, Japan
More info: http://www.nozawaski.com/
Beginners need a lot from a ski resort, but the quality of the snow can make or break the experience. No matter how wide and expansive the run, a scratchy, icy path beneath will always make for a more difficult start. Thankfully, Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu is known and loved for its classic Japow-quality snow, as well as a (literal) hotspot for onsen baths. The view Mt. Yotei is breathtaking, and just knowing it is viewable from the tip-top is motivation in itself to improve your beginner skills so you are confident to head up and see it.
Address: 204 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0081, Japan
More info: https://www.grand-hirafu.jp/
They call Japan “Ja-pow” for a reason – the fluffy, powdery snow is nothing like you can find in most ski resorts around the world. This is the perfect climate for beginners, given that you will probably find the first few days on your skis on your backside, as it can be a tricky skill to acquire. But who cares about falling when you are basically collapsing into the open arms of a slightly chilly, soft snow-cloud?
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