For close to 15 years, I’ve been making an almost annual pilgrimage to the land of the rising sun, and a large part of my reasoning is to take on what has recently been called “Japow”.
Japan ski resorts are blessed by some of the driest, fluffiest, and most reliable powder snow on the planet. Resorts in the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, are particularly blessed.
Hokkaido resorts such as Furano, Niseko and Rusutu feature an almost unimaginable amount of annual snow fall, often hitting well north of 15 m of beautiful Japow.
Aussies ripped off
Us Aussies are not often blessed by the snow gods, and I have a running joke with my friends about our nearest “local” mountain back home, Mt Buller, whereby if we see the local wombats on arrival we’re in for a day of lousy, patchy snow.
Unfortunately, a lack of quality snow is not the only problem facing skiers at Mt Buller (and other Aussie resorts). Lift pass prices are nearing $200/day, resort entry fees are around $50/car, accommodation prices are eye watering and on snow restaurants are crazy expensive. Even skiing in Europe is cheaper than Australia.
First Japan trip
It was with all this in mind that years ago, some friends and I headed to Japan’s Hakuba ski area for our first taste of skiing in Japan, and let’s just say, we were blown away.
On that trip we booked rooms at the 4* Mominoki Hotel which included access to men’s and women’s onsen, plus breakfast each day. Our cost at that time for 8 nights at the Mominoki came in at well below what we would have paid for 2 nights at Mt Buller.
On snow was great too with lift passes around one third of Mt Buller prices and snow quality that we didn’t know existed.
Beyond that original trip I’ve ventured to a dozen or so resorts in Japan with my favorites in Hokkaido. Rusutu, Furano and of course Niseko, are super popular with Australians, for good reasons.
Best reasons to ski Japan
The following are the best reasons to take a ski trip to Japan:
- Japow. I’ve skied around the world and never seen snow like it.
- Variety of terrain, both on piste and off.
- Price. Not only are the lift passes cheaper, everything is cheaper.
- Favorable AUD to JPY exchange rates.
- Onsen. Taking a steaming hot onsen is a superb way to soothe a body aching from a day’s skiing.
- Food, on mountain and off. Japanese food is incredible and often very reasonably priced.
- Taking the opportunity to immerse yourself in a culture very different from our own.
Due to the rising popularity of Japan as a tourism destination, the best time to visit was 10 years ago, but the next best time is now.