The main Golden Week period begins on Thursday, April 29th (national holiday). Many working people will likely be on holiday until Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday) or Sunday, May 9th. For skiers, Golden Week marks the end of the season. It's a chance to enjoy the last of spring skiing. Let's take a look at what's happening at ski resorts where you can still enjoy skiing during Golden Week!
*This article was compiled as of April 29th using information from ski resorts that regularly cooperate with STEEP. Please check their official websites and social media for daily updates
Ski resorts offering special Golden Week fun
[Early morning skiing]
Shiga Kogen Central Area, Kumanoyu Ski Resort, Yokoteyama Shibutoge Ski Resort (Early morning opening),
Kagura Ski Resort (First Track)
[Gourmet]
Kiroro Snow World "Thai Chef's Thai Cuisine Golden Week Limited Set"
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort "Spring All-You-Can-Eat Genghis Khan!"
[Other]
Tengendai Ski Resort "2021 Season Appreciation Day ☆ Bingo Tournament on the Slopes"
Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort "Slope-Side Camp"
GALA Yuzawa "See You at GALA in Summer" Campaign
Ski resorts where you can still ski during Golden Week
[Hokkaido]
Sapporo Teine | SAPPORO TEINE
Open until Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday)
The "Highland Zone" is open for the entire Golden Week period. Snow accumulation at the summit is 195cm, and at the foot of the mountain is 95cm (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/sapporo.teine/
◆Official website: https://sapporo-teine.com/snow/
[Hokkaido]
Furano Ski Resort | FURANO
Open until Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday)
The Furano Zone is open for the entire Golden Week period. Available courses are A1, D1, and D2. Take the Furano Ropeway downhill to return. Snowfall at the summit is 113cm, and at the foot of the mountain is 10cm (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/furanoskiarea
◆Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/furano/winter/
[Hokkaido]
Kiroro Snow World | KIRORO SNOW WORLD
Open until Wednesday, May 5, 2021 (national holiday)
There are three express trains: Yoichi No. 1 Express (operates only on weekends and holidays), Nagamine No. 1 Express, and Nagamine No. 2 Express. Kiroro's popular "Asian Kitchen" will be open for three days only, from May 1st to May 3rd! They will be offering a limited set menu of Thai cuisine prepared by a Thai chef. Snow depth at the summit is 190cm, and at the foot of the mountain is 20cm (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/kirororesort/
◆Official website: https://www.kiroro.co.jp/ja/
[Hokkaido]
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort | SAPPORO-KOKUSAI
Open until Sunday, May 9, 2021
Sky Cabin 8, Echo Quad Lift, and Marchen Quad Lift will be operating until Sunday, May 9th. The "Spring Genghis Khan All-You-Can-Eat" event will also be held until the end of the season. At "Rabbit" on the second floor of the Ski Center, from 11:00 to 15:30, adults can eat all they want for 1,980 yen! Snow depth: 190 cm (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/sapporoKOKUSAI/
◆Official website ／ https://www.sapporo-kokusai.jp/
[Iwate Prefecture]
Geto Kogen Ski Resort | GETO KOGEN
Open until Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday)
The first gondola is currently in operation. During this time, you can enjoy the view of the mountains on all sides from the Geto Plateau, and the open-air bath, Usamori no Yu, is also one of the attractions. Snow accumulation at the summit is 198 cm, and at the foot of the mountain is 43 cm (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/geto8/
◆Official website: http://www.geto8.com/
[Iwate Prefecture]
Appi Kogen Ski Resort | APPI KOGEN
Open until Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday)
For "Spring Skiing & Snowboarding," if you live in Tohoku, the price starts from 9,700 yen for a room for two people, including one night's stay at a hotel, two meals, and one day lift ticket (tax included, bathing tax not included). Snow depth: 55 cm (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/AppiResort
◆Official website: https://www.appi.co.jp/ski/
[Yamagata Prefecture]
Tengendai Kogen Ski Resort | TENGENDAI KOGEN
Open until Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday)
On the final day, Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday), the "2021 Season Appreciation Day ☆ Bingo Tournament on the Slopes" will be held, with events planned where you can win prizes such as lift tickets and accommodation vouchers. Snow depth from the Shakunage slope upwards is 170 to 290 cm (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/%E5%A4%A9%E5%85%83%E5%8F%B0%E9%AB%98%E5%8E%9F-258810920833215/
◆Official website: http://www.tengendai.jp/winter/w-event.html
[Nagano Prefecture]
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort | NOZAWA ONSEN
Open until May 9th (Sun)
Until May 9th (Sun), lift tickets are also available at special prices, with adult one-day tickets usually priced at 5,200 yen, now 4,100 yen, two-day tickets 9,600 yen, now 7,600 yen, and four-hour tickets 4,400 yen, now 3,500 yen. There is particularly plenty of remaining snow on the Yamabiko slopes, where you can enjoy exhilarating carving and playing in the park and stream terrain. In spring, there is a high chance of seeing a panoramic view of the Northern Alps from the summit of Mount Kenashi. 85cm of snow has accumulated in the Yamabiko summit area (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/nozawaonsen.snowresort/
◆Official website: http://www.nozawaski.com
[Nagano Prefecture]
Ryuoo Ski Park
Open until Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday)
During Golden Week, from April 29th to May 5th, a direct bus will operate from Yudanaka Station to Ryuo Ski Park. The Skyland area at the summit will be open throughout Golden Week. You can approach the ropeway's base station by car (8:00 - 19:00). Once you get off the ropeway, you'll be above the clouds at an altitude of 1,770m. From the SORA terrace, you can see the sea of clouds and the setting sun at the same eye level. ◆SORA terrace Morning Plan◆ A round-trip ticket + breakfast set is 3,800 yen for adults and is popular. Snow depth: 135cm (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/ryuooski/
◆Official website: https://www.ryuoo.com/snow/
[Nagano Prefecture]
Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort | OKUSHIGA KOGEN
Open until Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday)
The No. 2 High-Speed Pair Lift, No. 3 High-Speed Pair Lift, No. 4 Pair Lift, and Gondola Lift will be open throughout Golden Week. Snow depth is 110 cm (as of April 29th). They are also planning to hold a "Spring Ski Thanksgiving Festival" on May 3rd and 4th. Please check their website for details
https://www.facebook.com/okushiga.kogen/
Official website: http://www.okushiga.jp/skiresort/
[Nagano Prefecture]
Shiga Kogen Central Area | SHIGAKOGEN CENTRAL AREA
Open until Wednesday, May 5th
Ichinose Family Ski Resort, Takamagahara Mammoth Ski Resort, and Teragoya Ski Resort in the central area of Shiga Kogen will be open throughout Golden Week. Starting on the 29th, Ichinose Family and Takamagahara Ski Resort will be open every day early in the morning! For just 1,800 yen, you can enjoy unlimited skiing on the first slopes of the morning from 6:00 to 8:00! Even in spring, Shiga's snow quality is gentle on the snow. Enjoy comfortable skiing in the pleasant spring temperatures
https://www.facebook.com/ShigaKogen.Ski/
◆Official website: http://shigakogen.co.jp/highlight/ski-spring
[Nagano Prefecture]
Kumanoyu Ski Resort | KUMANOYU
Open until Wednesday, May 5th
The second pair lift is in operation until May 5th. One-day tickets are now 4,300 yen (5,600 yen) and two-day tickets are now 8,500 yen (10,500 yen). During Golden Week, you can enjoy pleasant early morning riding on the fresh slopes from 6:00 to 8:30. Early morning lift tickets are 1,800 yen. Snow depth: 120 cm (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/kumanoyulift/
◆Official website: https://www.kumanoyu.co.jp/
[Nagano Prefecture]
Yokoteyama-Shibutoge Ski Resort | YOKOTEYAMA・SHIBUTOGE
Open until May 6th (Thursday)
During Golden Week, the spring specialty "Early Morning Skiing" is being held. This service allows you to enjoy a 2km downhill run using the second Sky Triple between 6:00 and 8:00. After skiing until 8:00, breakfast is served until the lifts start running at 8:45, which is great. Adults (middle school students and above) 2,500 yen (breakfast included). Also, a two-day only event, "Find Watasuki!" is being held on April 29th and 30th! There is a big thanksgiving event! Snow depth is 130cm (as of April 29th)
◆Official website: https://yokoteyama2307.com/
[Nagano Prefecture]
Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park | HAKUBA VALLEY
Open until Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday)
Snow depth at the summit is 90cm (as of April 29th), and the Alps No. 1 Pair Lift, High-Speed Pair Lift Line-e, Quat Lift Line-c, Pair Lift Line-A and B, and Alps No. 2, No. 4, and No. 3 Pair Lifts are all in operation from the summit. Hakuba47's "47PARKS" is also a high-quality park with a variety of jumps ranging from 13m to 3m, half pipes, and a variety of JIB items that make it easy to progress from beginner to intermediate to advanced. You can ski until Golden Week. Snow depth is 90cm (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/HKB47official/
◆Official website: https://www.hakuba47.co.jp/winter/
[Niigata Prefecture]
Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort | OKUTADAMIMARUYAMA
Open until May 9th (Sun)
Spring at Okutadami Maruyama is full of fun skiing, with parks, tree runs and moguls. There is also a beginners' park and main park that are permanently set up only in spring, a banked slalom course and a beech forest tree run course that is open in spring, making spring incredibly fulfilling. The moguls that appear naturally on and beside the courses are also a fun spring feature, attracting many mogul skiers. On weekdays, Monday through Friday, those aged 55 and over (proof of age required) can enjoy a discounted one-day lift ticket from 3,400 yen to 2,900 yen. Snow depth: 190 cm (as of April 29th)
◆Official website: http://okutadami.co.jp/ski/
[Niigata Prefecture]
Kagura Ski Resort | KAGURA
Tashiro area: open until Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday) Mitsumatakagura area: open until Sunday, May 23rd
Kagura in spring boasts groomed slopes and beautifully formed mogul slopes. You can enjoy the firm groomed slopes first thing in the morning, and the light, spraying granular snow in the afternoon. Also, from May 1st to May 5th, the Mitsumata Ropeway opens at 7am, 30 minutes earlier than usual, so you can enjoy the first track on the firm runs first thing in the morning when no one is around. You can get a great deal by purchasing a one-day or morning pass to use the first track! The popular Kagura Park, which requires a big kicker, is also open. Snow depth at the summit is 170cm, and at the foot of the mountain is 30cm (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/snowkagura
◆Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/kagura/winter/
[Niigata Prefecture]
GALA YUZAWA
Open until Wednesday, May 5th (national holiday)
Five courses in the central and north areas, as well as the "Snow Play Park" and the "Snow Park" in the north area, have been opened, and a cobblestone lane has been set up in the entertainment corner. (As of April 29th) Also, from April 29th to May 5th, as a special Golden Week event, the "See you at GALA in the summer" campaign is being held! Everyone who visits during the last seven days of the season will receive a "GALA Summer Park One-Day Lift Ticket." Snow depth: 70cm (As of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/galayuzawa/
◆Official website: https://gala.co.jp/winter/
[Niigata Prefecture]
Charmant Hiuchi Ski Resort | CHARMANT HIUCHI
Open until Wednesday, May 5th (National Holiday)
Charmant has a rich supply of snow that remains strong until spring. As most of the ski resort is not groomed, the loose spring conditions create a nice natural terrain, and the entire slope can be enjoyed like a park, making it popular with freeriders. It is also popular with mogul-loving skiers. The mellow granular snow on the gentle slopes is exquisite. Check the live camera for real-time updates. Snow depth: 90cm (as of April 29th)
◆Official website/https://charmant-hiuchi.jp
[Gunma Prefecture]
Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort | MARUNUMA KOGEN
Open until May 9th (Sun)
Nikko Shirane Ropeway, Central Pair Lift, No. 7 Single Lift, No. 5 Super Twin Lift, and No. 8 Pair Lift are currently in operation (as of April 29th). Marunuma's selling point is that you can enjoy free-riding on the natural terrain. In spring, as the snow melts, the terrain becomes more visible, so there are even more spots to play in than in the peak season. Also, between April 29th and May 8th, a camping event is being held, opening the area near the summit of the No. 4 Lift (near Tree Adventure) as a campsite! A special Golden Week treat for skiing and camping. 85cm of snow (as of April 29th)
https://www.facebook.com/Marunumakogen/
◆Official website: https://www.marunuma.jp/winter/