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 each ski resort's official website or SNS for the latest information.
Ski resort scheduled to open in October
Opening scheduled for Friday, October 24, 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 opens every October, the earliest in Japan, making it a seasonal tradition. The 27th consecutive year, the 2025-2026 season will also see the park open the earliest in Japan, on Friday, October 24th. While
only the A slope (officially 1,000m long, with an elevation difference of approximately 150m) is usually available at opening time, snow machines and groomers are in full operation, ensuring consistently good slope conditions. Yeti's exceptionally clear autumn skies mean you can enjoy a pleasant run under blue skies. Night skiing is open every day from 5pm to 10pm (some exclusions apply), and one-day tickets are valid until night skiing, allowing you to enjoy plenty of time into the evening.
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.
This is the annual opening event. This year, a ceremony and costumed ski run will be held to celebrate the "earliest opening in Japan."
The opening ceremony will be held on Friday, October 24th from 9:45.
Accompanied by a gun fireworks display and balloons, visitors dressed in costumes all take to the skies at once. If you arrive dressed in costume by 10am, you'll be rewarded with a free one-day ticket for the day. However, please note that there are conditions for "free skating in costume." (You
must enter wearing at least two items, or your costume must cover more than half of your body.)
Also, on the opening day, there will be a free serving of Shizuoka specialty "Shizuoka Oden" in front of the restaurant from 10am. The first 300 visitors will be blessed with the charm. Why not dress up in costume and try to become a Yeti on October 24th?
Opening hours: Weekdays 9:00-22:00 | Weekends and holidays 9:00-22:00 (some exclusions apply)
Lift fee: Adult (middle school students and older) 1-day ticket (valid until 22:00) Weekdays 4,300 yen / Weekends and holidays 5,300 yen
◆ Official HP / https://www.yeti-resort.com/
Scheduled to open on Friday, October 31, 2025
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).
The snow park is packed with attractions, including the "Snow Play Area" where you can enjoy sledding and snow striders, and the "Fluffy Area" with athletic and other air play equipment, so even small children can enjoy the snow safely. Admission is 1,200 yen (free for children aged 0-2), and there are plenty of stage shows and events all day long. Easily accessible from the city center, it's a great place to enjoy a day trip, and the cost is reasonable, making it "cheap, close, and short." It's also a popular outing spot for families in the metropolitan area.
Opening hours: 10:00-21:00 (reduced hours: 10:00-17:00 on 10/31, 12/31, 1/1, and 3/29)
Lift fees: Adult (middle school students and above) 1-day ticket: 4,000 yen, night ticket: 2,500 yen
◆ Official HP / https://www.seibu-leisure.co.jp/ski_we
Ski resort scheduled to open in November
Scheduled to open on Saturday, November 1, 2025
First skiing period: November 1st (Sat) - December 19th (Fri) Discounts available!
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 | First ski season / 8:30-4:30 Regular season / 8:00-17:00
Lift fee | Adult 1-day ticket: First ski season Open ~ 12/19 8,000 yen (pre-purchase online 7,000 yen Regular season: 10,000 yen (on-site purchase) 9,000 yen (pre-purchase online)
◆ Official website / https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/karuizawa/winter/
Grand Snow Oku-Ibuki (Shiga Prefecture) | Scheduled to open on Friday, November 14, 2025
service on Friday, November 14th
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: 8:00-17:00
Lift fee: Adult 1-day ticket 4,000-7,000 yen (4 types of fees 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 stretches between 1,690 and 1,960 meters above sea level, mostly facing north. It's a popular spot in Shiga Kogen, known as "Kumayuki" (bear snow) among powder lovers. The reason for this is the presence of Mount Kasa behind the resort. Snow clouds over this mountain result in large amounts of dry, fresh snow. Though compact, the slopes are steep and offer many drop-offs, so you'll never get bored.
Snow typically arrives early, and the resort usually opens in late November, using a mix of natural and artificial snowmaking machines. This season, the resort is scheduled to open on Saturday, November 15th. The second lift will be operational, opening one run approximately 600 meters long and 20-40 meters wide from the intermediate drop-off point. Check the slope conditions every morning on the website, YouTube LIVE, and social media, so be sure to check.
Business Hours | 8:30-16:30
Lift Ticket | Adult 1-day ticket 6,500 yen (first-time discount available)
◆ Official HP / https://www.kumanoyu.co.jp/
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort (Hokkaido) | Scheduled to open on Friday, November 21, 2025
Scheduled to be the fastest opening in Hokkaido with 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 (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM from April 1st onwards during the spring season)
Lift fee: Adult 1-day ticket: 6,000 yen / Online 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 ski in heavy snow, powder, and tree runs in the summer oil. 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 is blessed with abundant dry powder, boasting the highest snowfall in Honshu, a surprising record. The combination of heavy powder snow and a variety of tree-running courses makes it one of Japan's most popular tree-running spots, earning it the nickname "Tohoku's Geto." During
the first ski season, from opening until December 5th, adult one-day passes are discounted from the usual ¥6,800 to ¥5,200. Also available through November 3rd, the official website offers a "Super Early Bird One-Day Ticket." This ticket is the same price as the first ski season, ¥5,200, and can be used anytime during the season. Also available this season is a limited-time early bird 20-hour ticket, the "Early Bird 20-Hour Ticket," which is valid for 20 tickets (1 hour x 20 tickets) and can be used anytime during the season. Geto's timed tickets can be recharged in five-hour increments during the season, adding to their appeal. The early bird 20-hour ticket is also a great deal, normally priced at 27,600 yen but now priced at 23,000 yen. Be sure to get yours before the deadline.
Opening hours : 8:30-16:30 (regular season) / 9:00-16:00 (first ski season: Open until December 5th)
Lift fee: Adult 1-day ticket: Open until December 5th: 5,200 yen / Regular price: 6,800 yen
◆ Official HP / 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: 8:00-16:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 6:00-22:30)
Lift fee: Adult (middle school students and above) 1-day ticket for White Pier Takasu and Washigatake: 6,000 yen
◆ Official HP / 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!
Located approximately 15 minutes from Takasu IC and 10 minutes from Hirugano Kogen Smart IC, White Pier Takasu is easily accessible. Its ice crusher allows for an early opening. While the resort typically opens with approximately 1,000 meters of skiable terrain from the Echo Pair Lift platform to the center house, this season's opening is scheduled for Friday, November 21st. The neighboring Washigatake Ski Resort, which connects to the summit, is also scheduled to open on the same day.
On Saturdays and Sundays during the opening period, from the opening until Sunday, December 14th, the resort is scheduled to open as early as 6:00 AM. However, only early-morning passes (4,300 yen) are available for skiing between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Season passes, advance tickets, and discount tickets are available from 8:00 AM.
Opening hours: 8:00-16:00 (Opening hours on Saturdays and Sundays: 6:00-)
Lift fee: Adult (junior high school students and above) 1-day ticket: 5,200 yen / White Pier Takasu & Washigatake combined 1-day ticket: 6,000 yen
◆Official HP／ 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 fee | Adult 1-day ticket: First time skiing Open ~ 12/19: Online purchase 8,000 yen / Counter 9,000 yen Regular season: Online purchase 8,400 yen / Counter 9,400 yen)
◆ Official website / https://sapporo-teine.com/snow/
Tengendai Kogen Ski Resort (Yamagata Prefecture) | Scheduled to open on Sunday, November 22, 2025
Honshu's finest powder! Powder land 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: 8:10-15:30
Lift fee: Adult 1-day ticket 5,500 yen
◆ Official HP / 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
This ski resort in the Yuzawa area of Niigata Prefecture is known for its powder and backcountry skiing. It is usually open from late November to late May. Its convenient location, just two and a half hours from the Kanto region, combined with its heavy snowfall and high altitude, means it's renowned for its excellent snow quality. Another reason for its popularity is the large number of skiable areas, including the section that connects to Tashiro. Kagura's powder runs on the slopes feature three lines with varying slopes and distances.
Access to the backcountry is also excellent, with access via a dedicated backcountry gate from the summit lift. All you need is a mountain climbing permit and backcountry equipment to ski. There are also numerous backcountry tours for beginners and intermediate skiers through guide services, making it the perfect place to safely debut in the backcountry after some basic training 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 HP / https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/kagura/winter/
Scheduled to open on Saturday, November 29, 2025
Powderland's "Super Early Bird Season Pass" is on sale until December 14th, highlighting the beauty of the tree runs.
Kiroro is close to Sapporo city and easily accessible for day trips even for those staying in Sapporo. Many riders visit Kiroro for its overwhelming snowfall, fascinating natural terrain, and expansive tree run fields. Monthly snowfall during the peak season can exceed 4 meters, with snow falling almost every night, completely changing the course conditions.
Five expansive tree run areas are accessible via entrances within the ski resort's management area, offering a wide variety of terrain, including beautiful broadleaf forests, diverse natural terrain, deep powder spots, and exploratory runs. Many runs can be efficiently navigated using the lifts, providing a truly enjoyable experience for powder and tree riding lovers. While we eagerly await this season's opening, season passes are on sale until December 14th. The "Super Early Bird" discount offers significant savings, with adults reduced from the regular price of ¥98,000 to ¥68,500, and seniors (65 and over) reduced from the regular price of ¥93,000 to ¥65,000.
Business Hours: 8:30-16:45
Lift Ticket: Adult 1-day ticket 9,800 yen
◆Official HP／ https://www.kiroro.co.jp/ja/snowworld/
Scheduled to open on Saturday, November 29, 2025
Let's go into this season with high hopes for "FURANO bonchi powder"!
Furano is known for its vast scale and dry powder that can only be found inland. The snow that falls in the Furano Basin is of exceptional quality even within Hokkaido, and is affectionately known as "FURANO bonchi powder." Furano city is accessible from the ski resort in about 10 minutes. Another attraction is being able to enjoy sightseeing and gourmet food in Furano Town after skiing or on days when you're not on the mountain.
Opening hours: 8:30-16:00 or sunset.
Lift fee: Open until December 5th: 6,500 yen / Regular price: 8,000 yen
◆Official HP/ 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.
Mt. Yotei blocks the humidity flowing in from the Sea of Japan, resulting in drier snow quality than the mountains in the Niseko area. Intermittent snowfall from December to February resets the faces with fresh snow almost daily. Furthermore, the slopes of Mt. Isola and East Mt. face north, so they are less exposed to the sun and maintain good snow conditions. The
best way to enjoy Rusutsu efficiently and to the fullest is with the advance lift ticket "25-Hour Ticket + 5." During the season, the "25-Hour Ticket" allows you to ski in one-hour increments across dates, and also comes with an additional "5-hour" bonus. Depending on how you use it, this lift ticket can be very cost-effective and convenient. 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 when purchased online)
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 / Nighttime: 16:00-20:00 (planned)
Lift fees: Adults (19-64 years old): 1-day ticket: 16,200 yen (12,000 yen if purchased online) / 5-hour ticket: 14,000 yen (10,500 yen if purchased online) / 25-hour ticket: 34,700 yen (33,100 yen if purchased online)
◆ Official HP / 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, the ski resort will sell a one-day pass for 8,400 yen for the early season (not available online).
Opening hours:
Niseko Hanazono Resort: 8:30-16:30, night skiing: 16:30-19:00;
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu: 8:30-16:30 (end time varies 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/