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The Smart, Comfortable Way to Enjoy Japan's Snow.

Family-focused, stress-free guidance for Hakuba, Myoko & Nozawa.

Curated by a snowboarder dad living in Tokyo.

Japan ski resort - Powder snow

Plan your trip in 3 simple steps

1

Find the Right Resort

Choose the best resort for your family based on comfort, snow reliability, and English-friendly services.

Learn more
2

Follow Our Smart Travel Tips

Simple, practical advice on airport transfers, ski schools, rentals, and family-friendly routes.

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3

Book the Best Hotels

Curated hotel picks — slope-side, English-friendly, and perfect for families.

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Tak - Local Snowboarder & Guide

Curated by a Local Dad & Snowboarder

Hi, I'm Tak. As a father of two and a local snowboarder in Japan, I strictly select resorts that are safe and fun for families, not just the famous ones. Let me help you find the best snow experience.

2025–2026 Season Guide

Opening dates, early-season conditions, and my picks for families planning a trip this winter.

Hakuba Early-Season Trip Log

Real-world family trip experience (Dec 14–17)

Read Trip Log

Latest Opening Updates

OpeningDec 4

Yakebitaiyama opens from December 6th

Yakebitaiyama opens from December 6th

OpeningNov 30

Tsugaike in Hakuba will open from December 1st.

2025-2026 season open from December 1st

OpeningNov 26

Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort will open from November 29th

2025-2026 season schedule has confirmed

Resorts we recommend for families

Popular
Open

Hakuba Happo-One

Best for first-time families

English-friendly ski schools and a walkable village. The most comfortable choice in Hakuba for families.

8.0
16
Runs
21
Lifts
115cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
8°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Snowboard ParkBack Country
Popular
Open

Arai Mountain Resort (Lotte Arai Resort)

Luxury ski-in ski-out

Premium slopeside hotel, on-site activities, and no walking required. Perfect for comfort-focused families.

10.0
12
Runs
6
Lifts
96cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
7°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Ski In/OutBack Country

All resorts we cover

Hakuba Area

Popular
Open

Hakuba Norikura

Quiet & relaxed

A peaceful ski area with gentle slopes—ideal for families wanting a slower, less crowded experience.

7.0
14
Runs
8
Lifts
30cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
-3°C
Temperature
Good PowderLesson in Chinese
TraditionalFamily Friendly
Popular
Open

Able Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort

Family-friendly / Beginner-friendly

Wide, gentle slopes and great ski schools make it perfect for kids and first-time families.

7.0
16
Runs
13
Lifts
110cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
1°C
Temperature
Good PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Family FriendlyBeginner Friendly
Popular
Open

Hakuba Happo-One

Best for first-time families

English-friendly ski schools and a walkable village. The most comfortable choice in Hakuba for families.

8.0
16
Runs
21
Lifts
115cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
8°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Snowboard ParkBack Country
Popular
Open

Hakuba Iwatake Snow Resort

Scenic / Relaxed

Beautiful views, great cafés, and mellow terrain. A smooth and enjoyable option for families.

8.0
26
Runs
8
Lifts
65cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
4.2°C
Temperature
Great Powder
Mountain ViewsFamily Friendly
Popular
Open

Hakuba 47

Park / Freestyle

Famous for jumps and terrain parks. Best for families with intermediate or advanced riders.

8.0
8
Runs
6
Lifts
110cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
2°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in English
Olympic CourseGreat Snowboard Park
Popular
Open

Tsugaike Mountain Resort

Best for kids & beginners

Huge, flat beginner areas. One of the easiest learning environments in all of Japan.

8.0
10
Runs
18
Lifts
106cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
-2.8°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Wide SlopesFamily Friendly
Popular
Open

Hakuba Cortina

Deep powder

Japan-famous powder resort. Amazing for powder lovers, but not ideal for beginners or young kids.

9.0
16
Runs
4
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
1°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Deep PowderAdvanced Terrain

Yuzawa Area

Popular
Open

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort

Resort-style / Family-friendly

Massive family resort with gentle slopes and plenty of facilities.

7.0
22
Runs
19
Lifts
30cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
9°C
Temperature
Good Powder
Diverse TerrainFamily Friendly
Popular
Open

Naeba Ski Resort

Resort hotel / Family-friendly

Large ski resort with hotel facilities, perfect for families who value convenience.

7.0
24
Runs
12
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
0°C
Temperature
Good PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
LegendaryPowder Snow
Popular
Open

Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort

Wide runs / Family-friendly

Accessible terrain with modern lifts. Perfect for relaxed family cruising.

8.0
25
Runs
14
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
1°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Powder SnowBack Country
Popular
Open

Kagura Ski Resort

Reliable snow / Early season

High altitude and long season. Great for families visiting early or late in the winter.

9.0
32
Runs
18
Lifts
110cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
8°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Longest SeasonPowder Snow
Popular
Closed

Maiko Snow Resort

Beginner-friendly

Simple layout and gentle slopes—easy for kids and first-time families.

7.0
26
Runs
6
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
0°C
Temperature
Good PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Powder SnowBack Country
Popular
Open

GALA Yuzawa

Best day trip from Tokyo

Direct Shinkansen access—fast, convenient, and ideal for families.

7.0
16
Runs
11
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
1°C
Temperature
Good PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
JR Direct AccessDay Trip

Myoko Area

Popular
Open

Madarao Kogen Ski Resort

Tree runs / Family-friendly

Fun natural terrain and a compact village. Good balance for adventurous families.

9.0
31
Runs
11
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
0°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Hidden GemPowder Snow
Popular
Closed

Seki Onsen Ski Resort

Powder-only

Deep, steep powder for advanced riders. Not suitable for families or beginners.

10.0
4
Runs
2
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
0°C
Temperature
Great Powder
Hot SpringsTraditional
Popular
Open

Tangram Ski Circus

Resort hotel / Family-friendly

Family-oriented resort with a hotel at the base and easy slopes for kids.

8.0
19
Runs
5
Lifts
25cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
5°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
World-ClassModern Facilities
Popular
Open

Myoko Suginohara

Long, gentle runs

Famous for its long scenic courses—great for families who enjoy relaxed cruising.

9.0
16
Runs
5
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
0°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Longest RunsPowder Snow
Popular
Open

Arai Mountain Resort (Lotte Arai Resort)

Luxury ski-in ski-out

Premium slopeside hotel, on-site activities, and no walking required. Perfect for comfort-focused families.

10.0
12
Runs
6
Lifts
96cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
7°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Ski In/OutBack Country
Popular
Open

Akakura Kanko Resort

Walkable village / Family-friendly

Convenient base with English-friendly rentals and ski schools—great for families.

9.0
17
Runs
14
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
0°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in English
Hot SpringsTraditional

Shiga Kogen Area

Popular
Open

Shiga-Kogen Yokoteyama Ski Resort

Highest altitude

Japan's highest lift. Best for early-season or late-season family trips.

8.0
22
Runs
10
Lifts
60cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
-3°C
Temperature
Great Powder
Highest ElevationScenic Views
Popular
Open

Shiga Kogen Central Area

Large terrain

Easy access to multiple connected slopes—great for families wanting variety.

7.0
35
Runs
25
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
-1°C
Temperature
Good Powder
interconnectedlargest
Popular
Open

Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort

Quiet & scenic

Calm slopes and beautiful scenery. Good for relaxed family days.

8.0
30
Runs
10
Lifts
60cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
2°C
Temperature
Great Powder
Family FriendlyInterconnected
Popular
Open

Ryuoo Ski Park

Scenic gondola / Families

Huge gondola with amazing views and varied terrain. Fun for families with mixed abilities.

8.0
5
Runs
8
Lifts
90cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
30°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Family FriendlyPowder Snow

Nozawa Area

Popular
Open

Nozawa Onsen

Onsen village / Family-friendly

Traditional village atmosphere with hot springs and beginner-friendly slopes—great for families.

8.0
43
Runs
16
Lifts
90cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
5°C
Temperature
Great PowderLesson in English
Hot SpringsTraditional

Karuizawa Area

Open

Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort

Karuizawa

Best Tokyo day-trip

Direct Shinkansen access and slope-side shopping. Perfect for quick, easy family trips.

5.0
14
Runs
9
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
3°C
Temperature
Lesson in EnglishLesson in Chinese
Family FriendlyHot Springs

Yamanashi Area

Closed

Fujiten Snow Resort

Yamanashi

Mt. Fuji views

Perfect for a quick family trip with amazing Fuji views and mellow slopes.

3.0
7
Runs
4
Lifts
0cm
Base Depth
0cm
Fresh Snow
6°C
Temperature
Lesson in English
Mount Fuji ViewsFamily Friendly

Why families from Singapore, Hong Kong & Australia love these resorts

Safe, clean slopes

English-friendly ski schools

Ski-in ski-out hotels

Hot springs & warm cafés

Lift-access powder — no hiking needed

Easy airport transfers

Family-focused guides

Best Hotels in Hakuba for Families

Discover slope-side accommodations with English-friendly services perfect for families.

Read guide

Smart Access Guide: Airport to Resort

Simple, practical advice on getting from Narita/Haneda to your ski resort stress-free.

Read guide

How to Choose a Ski School in Japan

Find English-speaking instructors and programs that work best for your family.

Read guide

Curated by a snowboarder dad in Tokyo

Tak - Tokyo-based snowboarder dad
Hi, I'm Takuo — a snowboarder dad living in Tokyo.
I ride these mountains with my own two kids, and I created Japow Guides to help families enjoy Japan's snow comfortably and without stress.
Japow Guides focuses on comfort, convenience, and avoiding mistakes — the things that matter most when traveling with family.

Japow Guides

Discover Japan's best ski resorts with legendary powder snow, world-class facilities, and authentic Japanese culture.

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