Location: Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort
Are you a night skier? Or do you hate the cold? It's true that the temperature drops sharply at night, so it can be cold. However, there are actually many benefits and fun aspects to night skiing that you can't get during the day, such as better snow and slope conditions, less people around, and more. Let's take a look at some ski resorts that recommend night skiing, including their appeal
*The information on the ski resorts introduced here is current as of the time of publication (January 7, 2022). Nighttime operations at many ski resorts vary depending on conditions, so please check the official website for the latest information
INDEX
- What are the attractions and benefits of night games?
- Selection of ski resorts with fun night skiing
What are the attractions and benefits of night games?
Do you often ski at night? At night, the same slopes take on a completely different "nighttime face" compared to the daytime. The light created by the illuminations envelops the slopes in a fantastical atmosphere, and combined with the crisp, cold air and the stillness of the night, it becomes a unique space. Night
skiing is worthwhile just for the indescribable feeling it evokes, but for skiers and snowboarders who love to ski or snowboard, there are many reasons to recommend it from a "skiing" perspective as well.
Reason 1: The snow quality is generally better than during the day
The temperature drops significantly compared to daytime, making the snow even drier and maintaining good conditions. The powder is smooth and the groomed runs are firm. This makes it easier to ski, and you'll feel like you've gotten better
Reason 2: It's available!
At most ski resorts, night skiing is much less crowded than daytime. After warming up with dinner, it takes courage to go outside in the cold again. If you have to purchase a night ticket, those who ski at night are likely to be serious skiers. The less crowded the resorts are, the more powder you can enjoy, and on snowy days, the lines that formed during the day may have completely disappeared by night, resetting the powder
Reason 3: High cost performance
Depending on the ski resort, you can get night skiing for around 500 yen when you combine an afternoon or all-day ticket with a night pass. Many resorts are open from around 4:00-5:00 PM to around 8:00-10:00 PM, so even if you leave the city center in the afternoon, you can still enjoy night skiing to the fullest. Even if a night ticket costs just 2,000-3,000 yen, it's still very cost-effective, considering you can ski freely down the slopes on large, high-speed carves without the crowds, and if it snows, you can ski in powder as much as you want
Reason 4: The terrain is easy to see
Night courses are lit, so the contrast of the light makes it easy to see the unevenness of the terrain. Visibility is several times better than during the day when the light is flat due to fog or clouds. This also makes it easier to find powder spots and areas where you can play around with the terrain
Reason 5: It's slippery
At night, the undulations and moguls that were created during the day are at their best, creating the most challenging course conditions of the day. Apart from the appeal of the beautifully packed runs and powder snow that start early in the morning, this is also the time when you can most fully enjoy the excitement of taking on a difficult challenge in terms of mastering uneven terrain. As a result, you also get the pleasant reward of having your skiing technique honed
So, let's introduce some ski resorts where night skiing is fun and great, and you'll be so glad you didn't try it!
[Hokkaido]
Niseko Hanazono Resort | NISEKO HANAZONO RESORT
The long-awaited night game at HANAZONO has finally begun!
The long-awaited Symphony Gondola was finally installed in the 2021-2022 season, and Niseko Hanazono also began night skiing. Night skiing is available on two runs along the Symphony Gondola. From the mid-gondola station, you can access the mellow runs at Juicy Fruits, which is suitable for beginners, and from the summit station you can access Cory's Folly, which is suitable for intermediate skiers. The wide, relaxed runs are easy to ski on
Niseko is said to have one of the highest fresh snowfall rates in Japan, and even the quantity and quality of snow at Hanazono, the easternmost resort, is even more impressive. It's the ideal environment for skiing on the finest powder snow at night, without the cold, in a gondola. The arrival of Niseko's new nighttime attractions makes powder hunting even more fun
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 16:30 - 19:00
Lifts in operation: Symphony Gondola
Prices: Night skiing ticket (16:30 - closing time) Adult 3,000 yen
1-day ticket (valid for Niseko HANAZONO & Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu) Adult 6,600 yen
Night skiing period: Until March 20, 2022 (Sun)
 |  |  |  |
| Top elevation : 1,308m | Longest run: 4,550m | Elevation difference of 1,000m | maximum slope 30° |
 |  |  |  |
| courses 11 | lifts 3 | gondola One | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://hanazononiseko.com/ja/
[Hokkaido]
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
The popular Center Four lift offers 5 courses
Boasting a vast field and one of the largest variations of night ski runs in Japan, Grand Hirafu will be operating on a smaller scale for the 2021-2022 season. Only the ever-popular "Center Four Lift" will be operating, but from there you can access five runs. During the day, there is fierce competition for powder snow at Niseko, but at night, the competition for powder snow is less, making Grand Hirafu's night skiing especially popular
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 16:30 - 19:00
Lifts in operation: Ace No. 2 Center Four Number of
skiable courses: 5
Price: Night skiing ticket (16:30 - closing time) Adult 3,000 yen
1-day ticket (valid for Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO) Adult 6,600 yen
Night skiing period: Until March 20, 2022 (Sun)
| | | |
| Top elevation 1,200m | Longest run: 5,300m | Elevation difference: 940m | maximum slope 40° |
| | | |
| courses 22 | lifts 12 | gondola One | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://www.grand-hirafu.jp/winter/
[Hokkaido]
Rusutsu Resort | RUSUTSU RESORT
Convenient night skiing at West Mountain
Rusutsu has a chic, European-resort feel, and the nighttime atmosphere is great too. Five West Mountain runs are open for night skiing. The ski-in/out is right in front of the Rusutsu Resort Hotel, making it incredibly convenient. It's also great that you can quickly return to your room if it gets cold
The dynamic course with a maximum gradient of 25 degrees is particularly challenging. You'll want to ski at high speeds and carve. If you're looking for powder, head to West Mt. The Sky Course is an ungroomed course starting just below the summit, and has a steep slope. You can also enjoy deep mogul lines below the West No. 2 Quad Lift
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 16:00-20:00
Lifts in operation: West 1st Quad, West 2nd Quad
Courses available: 5
Price: Night skiing ticket 3,100 yen
Night skiing period: Until March 31, 2022 (Thursday)
| | | |
| Top elevation : 994m | Longest run: 3,500m | Elevation difference: 594m | maximum slope 30° |
| | | |
| courses 37 | lifts 14 | gondolas Four | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://rusutsu.com/rusutsu-in-winter/
[Hokkaido]
Asahikawa Santa Present Park | SANTA PRESENT PARK
Enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful night view of Asahikawa City
Santa Present Park is known for its beautiful night views from its ski resort, one of the best in Japan. If you're using Asahikawa as your base to approach Mount Asahidake in the Daisetsuzan Mountains or Furano, you should definitely stop by for a bit of skiing. Night skiing here is extremely popular, as you can enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful night view of Asahikawa city. It's easily accessible, just a 20-minute drive from Asahikawa city. If you're staying in Asahikawa, you can spend the day sightseeing at the famous Asahiyama Zoo during the day and enjoying night skiing at Santa Present Park in the evening
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 16:00 - 21:00
Number of courses available: 1
Price: Night skiing ticket 1,500 yen
Night skiing period: Until March 27, 2022 (Sunday)
| | | |
| Top elevation : 330m | Longest run: 1,000m | Altitude difference 160m | maximum slope 20° |
| | | |
| Number of courses: 4 | lifts 4 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:http://www.santapresentpark.com/
[Niigata]
Ishiuchi Maruyama
Ishiuchi is so bright at night! What a sense of scale!
The night skiing at Ishiuchi Maruyama boasts an incredible 3,000 meters of slopes, dazzling with cocktail lights like this. Boasting one of the largest scales in Japan, Ishiuchi Maruyama is so popular for its night skiing that people say, "You can't talk about night skiing without skiing at Ishiuchi," and "Ishiuchi night skiing is the best! Some locals only ski at night." The top photo in this article is a picture taken at Ishiuchi Maruyama's night skiing.
The course layout features a large fan-shaped slope spreading from the mountaintop, with the main course along the ridge being wide and offering fantastic night views. The temperature drops significantly at night compared to daytime, resulting in excellent snow quality. With fewer people around, you feel like you have the vast slopes all to yourself. The firm snow allows your skis to glide smoothly, and you can feel yourself naturally going faster than usual. Groom, moguls, terrain, and powder—the variety of conditions you can enjoy even at night is a major attraction of Ishiuchi Maruyama. On days with blizzards, it's not uncommon for the snow to continue falling throughout the day, resulting in a night of precious powder snow.
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 16:00-20:00.
Lifts in operation: Monday-Friday and Sunday, three lifts at the central entrance (Sunrise Express, Tyrol Triple Lift, and Sightseeing No. 3 Express) are in operation. On Saturdays, the Hakkaishi Family Pair Lift is also in operation. There is no night skiing at the north entrance.
Price: Night skiing ticket 2,400 yen.
Night skiing period: Until March 13, 2022 (Sunday)
| | | |
| Top elevation : 920m | Longest run: 4,000m | Elevation difference 664m | maximum slope 35° |
| | | |
| courses 27 | lifts 13 | gondola One | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://ishiuchi.or.jp/
[Niigata Prefecture]
Akakura Onsen | AKAKURA ONSEN
The only place in the Myoko area that is open until 10pm every day
Akakura Onsen, a long-established ski resort in Myoko, is a resort that uses 100% natural snow. It features many gentle slopes and a wide course design, creating a relaxed and calm atmosphere. It is the only resort in the Myoko area that is open at night, and you can ski until 10pm every day. There is only one course, Kumado Daiichi Quad, but it offers a long ride of about 1km. What's more, every Saturday the snow is packed before night skiing, so you can enjoy the same perfect conditions as first thing in the morning
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 17:00-22:00
Lifts in operation: Kumado No. 1 Quad
Skiable course: 1
Price: Night skiing ticket 2,600 yen
Night skiing period: Until March 14, 2022 (Saturday)
| | | |
| Top elevation 2,000m | Longest run: 2,500m | Elevation difference: 450m | maximum slope 39° |
| | | |
| courses 14 | lifts 5 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://akakura-ski.com/
[Nagano Prefecture]
IIZUNA RESORT
This ski resort has a relaxed, local feel, like a place of relaxation for the people of Nagano. Iizuna's night skiing is great because you can ski the long Forest Course (850m) on the main slope. It feels like you can ski on nearly half of the slopes. For the 2021-2022 season, night skiing will be closed on Sundays and Mondays from December to February (except for January 2nd, 3rd, and 9th), but will be open on other days. In March, it will only be open on Fridays and Saturdays. Another plus is that you can enjoy the resort for a long time, until 10pm. Convenient 3-hour and 2-hour tickets are also available
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 18:00-22:00
Operating lifts: 2nd High-Speed Pair Lift
Available courses: 3
Price: Night skiing ticket (18:00-22:00) 3,000 yen / 3-hour ticket 2,500 yen / 2-hour ticket 2,000 yen
Night skiing period: Until March 21, 2021 (Sunday) Closed on Sundays and Mondays from December to February (except January 2, 3, and 9) Open only on Fridays and Saturdays in March
| | | |
| Top elevation 1,500m | Longest run: 2,500m | Elevation difference of 600m | maximum slope 32° |
| | | |
| courses 7 | lifts 3 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://iizunaresort.com/ski/gerende/
[Niigata Prefecture]
Joetsu Kokusai | JOETSU KOKUSAI
The three pastel-colored cocktail lights are perfect for Instagram
Joetsu Kokusai's night skiing is famous for the three pastel-colored cocktail lights that are lit in front of the main building of Hotel Green Plaza Joetsu Kokusai, which stands directly in front of the main slope. When illuminated by these lights, three colored shadows are projected onto the snow surface, creating a very stylish scene. It's romantic and perfect for Instagram. For the 2021-22 season, three courses will be available for night skiing, centered around the main Nagamine slope
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 17:00-21:00
Lifts in operation: Nagamine Quad Lift
Number of skiable courses: 3
Price: Night skiing ticket 1,500 yen
Night skiing period: Until March 21, 2022 (Monday)
| | | |
| Top elevation : 1,017m | Longest run: 6,000m | Elevation difference: 817m | maximum slope 38° |
| | | |
| courses 22 | lifts 19 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:http://www.jkokusai.co.jp/ski
[Niigata Prefecture]
Kandatsu Plateau
The original day-trip ski resort where you can ski until 2am on weekends
Kandatsu is famous for its slopes opening at 7am and night skiing available until midnight. It is also considered the originator of day-trip skiing. For freeriders, it is also famous for the Kandatsu Free Ski School, where you can take lessons in freeriding techniques such as airs and jibs
For the 2021-22 season, night skiing will be available until 2 a.m. on Saturdays and the night before holidays. The C lift, which stretches all the way to the top of the slope, connects Procyon, Vollux, and Vega for a long night cruise. Flexible pricing is also available, with afternoon and night passes from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., regular night passes, and 4-hour night passes available
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 18:00 - 2:00 the following day
Lifts in operation: A Lift, C Lift
Number of skiable courses: 3
Price: Long night skiing ticket 3,800 yen / 4-hour ticket 2,800 yen
Night skiing period: Until Saturday, April 2nd, and the night before weekends and holidays
| | | |
| Top elevation 1,000m | Longest run: 3,500m | Elevation difference: 540m | maximum slope 45° |
| | | |
| courses 15 | lifts 6 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://www.kandatsu.com/
[Niigata Prefecture]
Naeba | NAEBA
Relax and ski in style while watching the illuminated slopes
Night skiing in Naeba has many attractions, including a night park for beginners and challenging slopes. Best of all, you can ski in and out from the Prince Hotel at the bottom of the slopes. If the weather gets bad or you get cold, you can quickly escape to the Prince Hotel and have tea or relax. The No. 4 Romance Lift and No. 5 High-Speed Lift have a panoramic view from the Prince Hotel, so you can enjoy the night ski slopes as you like
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 17:00-20:30
Lifts in operation: 4th Romance Lift, 5th High-Speed Lift
Number of skiable courses: 2
Price: Night skiing ticket Saturdays and New Year's holidays 3,200 yen / Weekdays and Sundays 2,000 yen
)SundayMarch 27th, 2022 (
| | | |
| Top elevation : 1,789m | Longest run: 4,000m | Elevation difference: 889m | maximum slope 32° |
| | | |
| courses 22 | lifts 11 | gondolas Three | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/naeba/winter/
[Gunma Prefecture]
NORN MINAKAMI
Long night games until 10pm every day and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays!
Norn Minakami is attractive for its easy access, just 3km from Minakami IC. Night skiing is available until 10pm Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, making it an incredibly long day. Furthermore, the courses where you can ski at night are the main part of the ski resort, with courses D and E accounting for 60% of the total. At about 1km long, you can enjoy long runs. The park on the mountainside is also open for night skiing. In short, it's a perfect night skiing paradise for night owls
[Information]
Night skiing hours: Until March 21st, 16:30-22:00 (Mon-Thu, Sun) - 24:00 (Fri-Sat)
Number of courses available: 2
Price: Night 22 ticket (valid until 22:00) 2,300 yen / Night 24 ticket (valid until 24:00) 2,700 yen
Operating period: Until March 21st, 2022 (Mon)
| | | |
| Top elevation : 1,220m | Longest run: 2,000m | Elevation difference of 400m | maximum slope 30° |
| | | |
| courses 5 | lifts 4 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://www.norn.co.jp/winter/
[Gifu Prefecture]
Dynaland | DYNALAND
"Yorudaina," which has a nationwide reputation, is open until 11pm every day
Dynaland boasts a total of 17 courses and is one of the largest in western Japan. Along with Takasu Snow Park, which is connected to the summit, it is known for being bustling with young skiers and snowboarders from morning until night during the season. A big reason for this is the famous night ski resort "Yorudaina", which is open until 11pm every day. And "Asadaina", which is open from 6am on weekends, holidays and the New Year's holiday period
With a total of 17 hours of operation per day from morning to night, it is the longest in Japan! It has now established itself as a ski resort that never sleeps in western Japan. What's amazing about Dynaland is not only the amount of time you can ski, but also the longest run at 2,800m and its sheer size. It may be the perfect resort for those who want to practice intensively to improve their skills and those who want to make the most of their day
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 18:00 - 23:00 (except December 31st) Last lift ride is at 22:30
Lifts: α Liner Quad Lift
Number of skiable courses: 3
Price: Night skiing ticket 2,700 yen
Night skiing period: Until March 20th, 2022 (Sunday)
| | | |
| Top elevation : 1,430m | Longest run: 3,200m | Elevation difference: 447m | maximum slope 38° |
| | | |
| courses 17 | lifts 5 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://www.dynaland.co.jp/
[Gifu]
Washigatake | WASHIGATAKE
On Saturdays during peak season, it is open all night from 6am to 6pm the next day
A common lift ticket also allows you to ski at the neighboring White Pier Takasu. With a total of 26 runs, it is one of the largest in Western Japan. Washigatake is famous for its all-night Saturday runs. It is the only place in Gifu Prefecture that operates nonstop from 6am until 6pm the following day. The all-night runs for the 2021-2022 season will be held on Saturdays from January 8th to March 12th. The park offers about one-third of the activities available during the day, and also features special activities with lighting effects. Maintenance will take place around 3pm, making the conditions easier to ski. If you buy an afternoon ticket on the day, you can ski at night, which is a nice bonus
[Information]
Night skiing hours: 16:00 - 22:30
Lifts in operation: Rainbow No. 1 Quad Lift
Number of skiable courses: 3
Price: Night skiing ticket 2,600 yen / All-night ticket 3,800 yen
Night skiing period: Until March 12, 2022 (Saturday)
| | | |
| Top elevation : 1,350m | Longest run: 3,500m | Altitude difference 440m | maximum slope 38° |
| | | |
| courses 13 | lifts 5 | Gondola base | Ropeway - Book |
◆Official Website:https://ski.washigatake.jp/
*Information current as of the end of January 2022. Please refer to the official website for details