Ski resorts are finally opening for the 2025-2026 season! This year, Snow Park Yeti in Shizuoka Prefecture is once again scheduled to open the earliest in Japan, on Friday, October 24, 2025. Following suit, several other ski resorts are scheduled to open in November. With the season finally in full swing, you'll want to start planning your first ski trip soon. Here, we'll introduce the opening dates for this season's ski resorts, listed in order of earliest opening dates
*Please check the official website or social media of each ski resort for the latest information
Ski resort scheduled to open in October
Snow Park Yeti (Shizuoka Prefecture) | Opening confirmed for October 24th (Fri), 2025!
This year, we are once again the earliest opening in Japan! This season, we will be open from 9am on weekdays and night games will be available until 10pm!
Snow Park Yeti, which opens earlier than any other snow park in Japan every October and has become a symbol of the start of the season, has decided to open on Friday, October 24th for the 27th consecutive year, making it the earliest in Japan for the 25-26 season.
At the time of opening, only the A slope (officially 1000m, with an elevation difference of about 150m) is open, but the slope conditions are consistently good with snow machines and snow groomers in full operation. Yeti's season starts with a great chance to enjoy skiing under the blue sky, thanks to the excellent number of sunny days in autumn. Night skiing will be available every day from 5pm to 10pm (with some exceptions), and the one-day pass is valid until night, so you can enjoy plenty of time until late at night.
Located a 90-minute drive from the Tokyo metropolitan area, the parking lot, which can accommodate 1,350 cars, is free all day, which is a great thing this season. There are also discounted online tickets available, including rentals and round-trip direct bus tickets
The annual opening event will be held again this year to celebrate the "earliest opening in Japan," with a ceremony and costume skiing.
The opening ceremony will take place on Friday, October 24th, from 9:45 AM.
With a signal cannon fireworks display and balloons, costumed visitors will all begin sliding down the slides at once. Those who enter in costume before 10am will receive a free day pass for the day. However, there are conditions for the "free sliding in costume" offer, so be careful. (
Entry is required while wearing two or more costume items, or with a costume covering more than half of your body.)
Also, on the opening day, there will be a free serving of Shizuoka's specialty, "Shizuoka Oden," in front of the restaurant from 10am. This offer is limited to the first 300 people. Why not dress up in costume and aim for the Yeti on October 24th?
Opening Hours | Weekdays 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM | Weekends and Holidays 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Excluding certain days)
Lift Ticket Prices | Adults (Junior High School Students and older) 1-Day Pass (Valid until 10:00 PM) Weekdays ¥4,300 / Weekends and Holidays ¥5,300
◆Official Website:https://www.yeti-resort.com/
Sayama Ski Resort (Saitama Prefecture) | to open on October 31,Scheduled 2025 (Friday)
All-weather, "cheap, close, and short." Perfect for family outings
Sayama Ski Resort is perennially popular for its easy access, just 40 minutes from Ikebukuro, and its stable, all-weather rooftop ski area. It has a comprehensive kids' park for children aged 3 to elementary school, and the gentle slopes can be accessed from the middle of the escalator, making it the perfect place for children to try snowboarding for the first time. This season's one-day ticket prices remain unchanged from last season, at 4,000 yen for adults (middle school students and above) and 1,000 yen for children (3 years old to elementary school students)
This snow park offers plenty of fun for young children, including a "snow play area" where they can enjoy sledding and snow striders, and a "fluffy area" with inflatable play equipment such as athletic facilities. Admission is 1,200 yen (free for children aged 0-2). There are plenty of stage shows and events throughout the day. It's easily accessible from central Tokyo, perfect for a day trip, and reasonably priced. It's a very popular leisure spot for families in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Opening hours: 10:00-21:00 (shortened hours on 10/31, 12/31, 1/1, and 3/29: 10:00-17:00)
Lift ticket prices: Adults (junior high school age and older) 1-day pass 4,000 yen, night ticket 2,500 yen
◆Official Website:https://www.seibu-leisure.co.jp/ski_we
Ski resort scheduled to open in November
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort (Nagano Prefecture) | to open on November 1st,Scheduled 2025 (Saturday)
Discounts available during the first skiing period from November 1st (Sat) to December 19th (Fri)!
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is easily accessible, being less than two hours by car from the greater Tokyo area and one hour by Shinkansen from Tokyo. Using artificial snow, it typically opens in early November, the earliest ski resort in Nagano Prefecture, and this season it is scheduled to open on Friday, November 1st. It is also famous for its annual opening event, which attracts many guests with its diverse content
During the first ski season from November 1st (Friday) to December 19th (Friday), one-day tickets will be 2,000 yen cheaper than usual. Also, at Prince Snow Resorts, including Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort, the "Prince Snow Resort Kids Free Program" will be offering free lift tickets for children up to elementary school age this season. Another nice bonus
Opening Hours | Early Season: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Regular Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Lift Ticket Prices | Adult 1-Day Pass: Early Season Open ~ 12/19 8,000 yen (7,000 yen with advance online purchase) Regular: 10,000 yen (purchase on-site) 9,000 yen (purchase on advance online purchase)
◆Official Website:https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/karuizawa/winter/
Grand Snow Oku-Ibuki (Shiga Prefecture) | Scheduled to open on Friday, November 14, 2025
Opening faster than ever before! On Friday, November 14th, we'reoffering a special "free meal" offer!
The popular Grand Snow Oku-Ibuki resort continues to break records for visitor numbers, attracting over 250,000 skiers and snowboarders this season. With a total investment of 1.2 billion yen, the resort has installed eight new artificial snowmaking machines, the first of their kind in Japan, capable of producing 525 tons of snow per day. The resort is scheduled to open on Friday, November 14th, the earliest opening date yet for this season, and has announced its longest run of five months (150 days) of operation to date, ending on Sunday, April 12th
Located in Shiga Prefecture, it's conveniently located just 50 minutes from Nagoya, 80 minutes from Kyoto, and 100 minutes from Osaka, making it the perfect place for a day trip skiing. Lifts, rentals, ski school, restaurants, and shuttle buses can all be booked online, so you can really just head out and enjoy yourself. The slopes are just the right size, with 9 lifts and 14 courses, and they also have mogul lanes, ungroomed snow, and steep slopes, so the courses are designed to satisfy everyone from beginners to advanced skiers
This season, the resort is investing a total of 980 million yen to completely renovate its rental facilities. They will be offering 5,000 sets of skis, snowboards, boots, and brand-name clothing, making them the largest in Japan. Due to their popularity, rentals sold out quickly last season, which is a problem that has now been resolved. On Friday, November 14th, the resort's opening day, there will be a "free meal"! This season, they are also running a "50 million yen return campaign."
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Lift Ticket Prices: Adult 1-Day Pass ¥4,000 - ¥7,000 (Four different price types available depending on the date)
◆Official Website:https://www.okuibuki.co.jp/
Kumanoyu Ski Resort (Nagano Prefecture) | Scheduled to open on Saturday, November 15, 2024
Looking forward to the "Kumayuki" powder in the 2025-2026 season!
This bowl-shaped ski resort, situated between 1,690 and 1,960 meters above sea level, is mostly on north-facing slopes. It's a popular spot in Shiga Kogen, known as "KUMAYUKI" (Bear Snow) among powder enthusiasts. The reason for its popularity lies in the presence of Mt. Kasadake behind the resort. Snow clouds hanging over this mountain result in abundant, dry, fresh snowfall. Despite its compact size, the resort offers varied terrain with steep slopes and numerous drops, ensuring you won't get bored.
Typically, snow arrives early, and the resort opens in late November with a mix of natural and artificial snow. This season, however, it's scheduled to open on November 15th (Saturday). The second lift will be operational, allowing for one course to be skied from the intermediate disembarking point, approximately 600 meters long and 20-40 meters wide. Check the website, YouTube LIVE, and social media for daily updates on the slope conditions.
Opening Hours | 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
Lift Ticket | Adult 1-Day Pass: ¥6,500 (Discount available for early season skiing)
◆Official Website:https://www.kumanoyu.co.jp/
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort (Hokkaido) | Scheduled to open on Friday, November 21, 2025
Planned to be the earliest opening in Hokkaido using natural snow
Despite its excellent accessibility, just an hour's drive from Sapporo, the resort is renowned for the quantity and quality of its snow, and is a firm favorite among Sapporo locals. It was announced that the resort is scheduled to open this season on Friday, November 21st. With the opening, great value packages will be available, including the "Lunch Pack," which includes lunch with a one-day pass, the "Parent-Child Pack," which includes a one-day pass for elementary school students, and the "Hot Spring Pack," which includes admission tickets to nearby famous hot springs such as Jozankei Onsen and Asarigawa Onsen
Opening Hours | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Spring Season from April 1st: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Lift Ticket Price | Adult 1-Day Pass: 6,000 yen / Web Purchase: 5,700 yen
◆ Official Website:https://www.sapporo-kokusai.jp/
Geto Kogen Ski Resort (Iwate Prefecture) | Scheduled to open on Saturday, November 21, 2025
Aim for your first skiing experience at Natsuyu, where you can enjoy heavy snow, powder, and tree runs. Convenient 25-hour tickets are also available!
Located in the southwestern part of Iwate Prefecture, Geto Plateau is bordered by the Kitakami Mountains to the east and the Ou Mountains to the west. Its terrain brings abundant dry powder snow, and it's surprising to learn that it records the "highest snowfall in Honshu." The combination of heavy powder snow and a variety of tree run courses with rich terrain makes it an overwhelmingly popular tree run spot in Japan, earning the saying, "Geto is the place to be in Tohoku."
During the early season from opening until December 5th, a one-day adult ticket is discounted from the usual 6,800 yen to 5,200 yen. In addition, a "Super Early Bird One-Day Ticket" is on sale until November 3rd exclusively on the official website. It costs the same as the early season price of 5,200 yen and can be used anytime during the season. Furthermore, the "Early Bird 20-Hour Ticket," which is also available this season, is a "ticket for 20 one-hour sessions" that can be used anytime during the season. Another attractive feature of Geto's time tickets is that they can be recharged in 5-hour increments during the season. The early bird 20-hour pass is also a great deal, normally priced at 27,600 yen but now available for 23,000 yen. Be sure to get one before the offer expires.
Opening Hours|8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Regular Season) / 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Early Season Open - December 5th)
| Lift Ticket Prices | Adult 1-Day Pass: Open - December 5th ¥5,200 / Regular Price ¥6,800
◆Official Website:https://www.getokogen.com/winter/
Washigatake Ski Resort (Gifu Prefecture) | Scheduled to open on Friday, November 21, 2025
Located just 3km from Takasu Interchange, Washigatake Ski Resort is renowned for its easy skiing, with many moderately sized slopes. It connects to the neighboring White Pier Takasu at the summit, allowing for easy travel with a shared lift ticket. Both resorts have introduced powerful ice crushers, allowing them to open in late November each year. This season's planned opening date is Friday, November 21st
It is open from 6:00 am on weekends and holidays, and night skiing is available until 10:30 pm, so it boasts long ski runs and is always bustling with young snowboarders
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Weekends & Holidays: 6:00 AM - 10:30 PM)
Lift Ticket Price: Adult (Junior High School Students and older) Whitepia Takasu & Washigatake Common 1-Day Pass: 6,000 yen
◆Official Website:https://ski.washigatake.jp/
White Pier Takasu (Gifu Prefecture) | Scheduled to open on Sunday, November 21, 2025
Open early on Saturdays and Sundays from November 21st (Friday) to December 14th (Sunday) from 6:00am!
Whitepia Takasu boasts convenient access, being approximately 15 minutes from Takasu IC and 10 minutes from Hirugano Kogen Smart IC. Known for its early opening each year due to ice crushers, the resort typically opens with approximately 1,000m of skiable slopes from the Echo Pair Lift to the Center House. This season, however, it is scheduled to open on Friday, November 21st. The neighboring Washigatake Ski Resort, connected at the summit, is also scheduled to open on the same day.
During the opening period from the opening day until Sunday, December 14th, the resort is scheduled to open at 6:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. However, only early morning tickets (4,300 yen) will allow skiing between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM; season passes, advance tickets, and discount tickets can only be used from 8:00 AM.
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (6:00 AM - during the opening period and on weekends)
Lift Ticket Prices: Adult (Junior High School Students and older) 1-Day Pass: ¥5,200 / Whitepia Takasu & Washigatake Combined 1-Day Pass: ¥6,000
◆Official Website:http://www.whitepia.jp/
SAPPORO TEINE (Hokkaido) | Scheduled to open on Saturday, November 22, 2025
Early bird reservations for KWP 2024-2025 are accepted until Monday, November 3rd
SAPPORO TEINE is easily accessible, about 40 minutes by car from central Sapporo. At over 1,000 meters above sea level, you can enjoy spectacular riding while taking in the beautiful views of Sapporo city and Ishikari Bay. The season usually starts early, with the Highland Zone scheduled to open on Saturday, November 22nd. Teine boasts one of Japan's steepest slopes, the North Wall, as well as long mogul lanes and the sparsely forested Nature Zone, where powder accumulates and the snow is ungroomed, making every part of the mountain exciting
From the opening until Friday, December 19th, one-day tickets will be slightly discounted from the usual 8,400 yen to 8,000 yen (purchased online). Don't miss out on the 1,000 yen discount when purchasing online compared to at the counter. Also, speaking of Sapporo Teine, the K Winter Pass (KWP), a joint lift season pass for the four ski resorts of the Kamori Kanko Group (Sapporo Teine, Rusutsu Resort, Sahoro Resort, and Nakayama Toge Ski Resort), is always very popular. This season, anyone can purchase a ticket at the early bird discount until November 3rd. Hokkaido locals shouldn't miss out
Opening Hours|10:00 - 16:00
Lift Ticket Prices | Adult 1-Day Pass: First Skiing Season (Open ~ 12/19): Online Purchase 8,000 yen / Counter Purchase 9,000 yen Regular Season: Online Purchase 8,400 yen / Counter Purchase 9,400 yen)
◆Official Website:https://sapporo-teine.com/snow/
Tengendai Kogen Ski Resort (Yamagata Prefecture) | Scheduled to open on Sunday, November 22, 2025
The finest powder in Honshu! A powder land made with 100% natural snow
Located in the southern part of the 2,000m-class Ou Mountains, the summit is over 1,800m above sea level, and the slope faces north, boasting snow quality that is said to be "the best powder in Honshu." As a result, the season typically starts early and lasts for six months, from May through to Golden Week. This season's opening is scheduled for Sunday, November 22nd
The ropeway takes you straight to the plateau, with an elevation difference of 1,350m, and it feels like a "piste in the sky." The vertical layout makes use of the natural terrain, resulting in a variety of slopes, including an ungroomed powder zone where you can go from the slopes into the backcountry. In the high season, you can enjoy an ultra-long run of 6km. It's said to be the fastest all-natural snow course in the country!
Opening Hours: 8:10 AM - 3:30 PM
Lift Ticket Price: Adult 1-Day Pass ¥5,500
◆Official Website:https://www.winter.tengendai.jp/
Kagura Ski Resort (Niigata Prefecture) | Scheduled to open on Saturday, November 22, 2025
BC fans eagerly await the opening of Kagura
Kagura is a ski resort in the Yuzawa area of Niigata Prefecture that is known for its strong powder and backcountry offerings. It is typically open from late November to late May. In addition to its easy access from the Kanto region (2.5 hours), it has a reputation for excellent snow quality due to its heavy snowfall and high altitude. The large area where you can ski, including the section connected to Tashiro, is another reason for its popularity. Within the Kagura ski area, there are three powder courses with both steepness and length.
Access to the backcountry is also good, and you can enter the mountains via a dedicated backcountry gate from the top lift. You can ski there if you submit a climbing permit and have backcountry equipment. There are also many backcountry tours for beginners and intermediate skiers offered by guide services, making it ideal for safely making your backcountry debut after practicing the basics on the slopes.
The Kagura-Mitsumata area is scheduled to open for the season on Saturday, November 22nd, but lift fees and other details have yet to be announced. Be sure to check the official website and social media
◆Official Website:https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/kagura/winter/
Kiroro Snow World (Hokkaido) | Scheduled to open on November 29, 2025 (Saturday)
Powderland's "Super Early Bird Season Pass" is on sale until December 14th, highlighting the beauty of the tree runs
Kiroro is conveniently located near Sapporo city center, making it easily accessible for a day trip even if you're staying in Sapporo. Many riders visit Kiroro for its overwhelming snowfall, interesting natural terrain, and vast tree run fields. Monthly snowfall during the high season can exceed 4 meters, with snow falling almost every night, resetting the course conditions.
Five vast tree run areas are open, accessible from entrances located within the ski resort's managed area, offering a wide variety of terrain including beautiful broadleaf forests, varied natural landscapes, deep powder spots, and adventurous courses. Many courses can be efficiently accessed using the lifts, making it irresistible for powder and tree riding lovers. We can't wait for this season to open, but season passes are on sale until December 14th. The "Super Early Bird" discount is quite a bargain: the regular adult price of 98,000 yen is reduced to 68,500 yen, and the senior (65 and over) price of 93,000 yen is reduced to 65,000 yen.
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM
Lift Ticket: Adult 1-Day Pass ¥9,800
◆Official Website:https://www.kiroro.co.jp/ja/snowworld/
Furano Ski Resort (Hokkaido) | Scheduled to open on November 29, 2025 (Saturday)
We're starting the season with high hopes for "FURANO bonchi powder"!
Furano boasts a vast scale and dry powder snow unique to its inland location. The snow that falls in the Furano Basin, known as "FURANO bonchi powder," is of exceptional quality even within Hokkaido. The ski resort is only about 10 minutes from Furano town center. This makes it easy to enjoy sightseeing and gourmet food in Furano town on days when you're not skiing or on the mountain.
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM or Sunset.
Lift Fees: Open - December 5th: ¥6,500 / Regular: ¥8,000
◆Official Website:https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/furano/winter/
Rusutsu Resort (Hokkaido) | Scheduled to open on Saturday, November 29, 2025
Rusutsu has a loyal following thanks to its mega-scale and varied natural terrain. It has been announced that it will open this season on Saturday, November 29th. Comprised of three mountains, West Mt., East Mt., and Mt. Isola, it boasts 37 courses totaling a total run of 42km, making it one of the largest in Japan. Another attraction unique to Rusutsu is the opportunity to enjoy tree runs to the fullest in the vast forest that makes the most of the rich natural terrain
Because Mount Yotei blocks the moisture flowing in from the Sea of Japan, the snow quality is drier than in the mountains of the Niseko area. From December to February, intermittent snowfall means that the faces are reset with fresh snow almost every day. Furthermore, because the slopes of Mt. Isola and East Mt. face north, they are less exposed to the sun, maintaining good snow conditions. The
best way to efficiently enjoy Rusutsu is with the advance purchase lift ticket "25-hour ticket + 5 hours". This is a very economical and convenient lift ticket that allows you to ski in one-hour increments across days during the season, plus an additional "5 hours" of extra time. It will be on sale for a limited time from November 1st (Sat) to December 10th (Wed). Adults (19-64 years old): 34,700 yen (33,100 yen for online purchase)
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM / Night Skiing: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (tentative)
Lift Ticket Prices: Adults (19-64 years old) 1-Day Pass: ¥16,200 (¥12,000 online) / 5-Hour Pass: ¥14,000 (¥10,500 online) / 25-Hour Pass: ¥34,700 (¥33,100 online)
◆Official Website:https://rusutsu.com/
NISEKO UNITED (Hokkaido): Niseko Hanazono Resort, Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village Ski Resort, Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort | Scheduled to open on Saturday, November 29, 2025
The battle for the world-famous Niseko powder is scheduled to begin on Saturday, November 29th!
Niseko is the home of JAPOW, a powder snow phenomenon that is admired by powder lovers all over the world. Even across Japan, there are few places like Niseko where you can ski relatively easily on top-quality powder that is refreshed every day
The four major ski resorts - Niseko Hanazono Resort, Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village Ski Resort, and Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort - are connected at the top, creating the largest scale ski resort in Japan. Collectively, they are known as "Niseko UNITED." All four ski resorts are scheduled to open this season on Saturday, November 29th. Niseko UNITED all-mountain lift tickets are on sale online (1-day adult ticket: 12,000 yen)
From opening until December 12th, as part of the early season, a one-day pass valid for all mountains will be sold at the ski resort for 8,400 yen (not available for online purchase).
Operating hours:
Niseko HANAZONO Resort / 8:30-16:30 Night skiing 16:30-19:00
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu / 8:30-16:30 (closing time may vary depending on sunset) Night skiing 16:00-19:00
Niseko Village Ski Resort / 8:30-16:00 Night skiing 16:00-19:00
Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort / 8:30-16:30 Night skiing 16:30-19:30
◆Official Website: NISEKO UNITED https://www.niseko.ne.jp/ja/