"First Track" is the ultimate experience for skiers and snowboarders who love powder and groomed runs. This service allows you to take a special lift or gondola ride before the regular runs open, giving you the opportunity to hit the slopes first thing in the morning and enjoy untracked powder and beautiful groomed runs. Here are some ski resorts where you can enjoy First Track this season.
*For details, please refer to the official website of each resort.
[Hokkaido]
Kiroro Snow World｜Hokkaido
Fast Track Plan with Professional Photography "Kiroro Photo Shooting Session"
This special First Luck plan is available only on Monday, January 12th, 2026 (national holiday). This is a luxurious photoshoot camp where professional photographer Keyphoto will take photos of participants' snowboarding and gift them to them as a gift. A Kiroro Snowboarding Advisor will guide you to the best photo spots of the day. A professional snowboarder will ski alongside you and give you advice on how to use Kiroro's courses and terrain. During this time, photos of each individual ride will be taken and gifted to you at the end! It's an inspiring day.
| time | Registration: 8:00-8:15 ・Skating & photo session: 8:30-14:00 ・End: 14:00 |
| price | 19,000 yen (including photo data) / adult |
| hold | Only on Monday, January 12, 2026 (national holiday) |
◆Official HP／ https://www.kiroro.co.jp/ja/snowworld/
Niseko Village Ski Resort｜Hokkaido
"Fast track cat ski" to get on the CAT with the sunrise
Niseko Village, which forms NISEKO UNITED, provides fast track by CAT.
The operation operates once a day, with a maximum of 10 people enjoying the luxury of having the powder fields all to themselves. At 6:45am, as the sun rises, participants board a Cat and head to the slopes where untouched powder awaits.
You can enjoy plenty of powder riding until the end time of 8 o'clock. CAT accommodates groups of up to 10 people for private charters. There is only one ski slope before it opens.
| time | Gathering 6:45 ～ End 8:00 |
| price | 100,000 yen (Advanced users 13 years and older, up to 10 people: reservation required) |
| hold | Mid-December (check official website and SNS) |
◆ Official HP / https://www.niseko-village.com/ja/
Niseko Hanazono Resort｜Hokkaido
Guaranteed "fast track" with HPG Private Tours
HPG (HANAZONO POWDER GUIDES), a resort-run service, guides you through the powder spots within the ski resort as well as the backcountry area, which is accessed through 11 gates established by the Niseko Rules. If you take a private HPG guided tour (for 1-4 people), you are guaranteed "first track." Only tour participants can ride the lifts before the general public opens.
Since this is a private guided tour, the tour schedule will be arranged according to the skill, experience and pace of the guest. For fast track: from 8:00am. Shuttle service to accommodation is available.
| 1-4 people | ¥125,000 / group | one lead guide only if all participants are the off-piste skill assessment chart |
| Tail guide | ¥60,000 / group | If there are 5-7 participants, a tail guide reservation is required |
|---|
◆Official website: https://hanazononiseko.com/ja/winter
Hoshino Resort Tomamu｜Hokkaido
"Morning Glory" where you can casually enjoy Tomamu powder
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu boasts the finest dry powder produced by the cold weather unique to inland Hokkaido. "Morning Glory" is a service that allows you to ride the gondola before general opening and carve a track as you like on the fresh barn first thing in the morning. The course will be decided by the guide according to the conditions in the morning of the day.
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu also has a CAT ski program run by the resort, but Fast Track is a chance to casually enjoy Tomamu's powder.
| time | 8:00～9:30 |
| price | Application for 2 or more people: 5,500 yen/person Application for 1 person: 7,500 yen/person (If you wish to apply for 1 person, please contact the contact information) |
| hold | December 21, 2025 - April 5, 2026 |
・Online reservation system ・Reservations accepted until the day before
・Separate lift ticket required
・Capacity: 2 to 8 people (minimum number of participants is 2)
・Suitable for people aged 7 years or older and able to ski intermediate courses or higher
◆ Official HP / https://www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/
Rusutsu Resort｜Hokkaido
An exciting ride that will make your dreams come true first thing in the morning! "Mt. Isola First Track"
A popular fast track where you can ride powder first. Held for a limited time and number of people every Sunday in January and February during the year-end and New Year holidays when the probability of deep powder is high! Free shuttle bus will take you to Mt. Isola before regular business hours.
You can choose your favorite course according to the snow quality of the day and your own skiing style, such as the Isola Grand Course (intermediate), which boasts the longest distance in Rusutsu at 3,500m, and the popular Heavenly Canyon Course, where you can enjoy plenty of uncompacted powder. can.
| time | Move to the foot of Mt. Isola by free shuttle bus before business hours, start boarding the Isola gondola at 8:45, start skiing from the summit of Mt. |
| price | 5,000 yen/person 2024-25K-WINTER PASS holders 3,000 yen/person |
| hold | December 31, 2025 (Wednesday) - January 4, 2026 (Sunday), January 11 (Sunday), January 18 (Sunday), January 25 (Sunday), February 1 (Sunday), February 8 (Sunday), February 15 (Sunday), February 22 (Sunday) |
・Advance reservation required 60 people each day
・Normal lift tickets must be purchased separately, and owners of season tickets and consecutive nights tickets also need to purchase special tickets separately
◆ Official HP / https://rusutsu.com/
[Tohoku area]
Shizukuishi Ski Resort | Iwate Prefecture
" SURISE CAT TOURS "
Shizukuishi Ski Resort is a representative resort in the Tohoku region, having hosted international alpine skiing competitions in the past. It is particularly famous and popular for its long runs. This special First Track is a special event that is only held three times per season. Starting before dawn, you will travel by snowmobile up Mt. Odakakura, located next to Shizukuishi Ski Resort's main slope, and after watching the New Year's sunrise, you will ski the super-long First Track from top to bottom on a CAT-exclusive course. The entire course is ungroomed, so you're sure to feel ecstatic with the auspicious sunrise and a private, super-long powder ride.
| time | 5:00~7:00 |
| price | 15,000 yen/person per bottle |
| hold | 2026 1/1 (Thu), 1/11 (Sun), 2/22 (Sun) |
Reservations required (reservations accepted until 4:00 PM the day before)
Capacity: Approximately 8 people
Advanced participants only
◆Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/shizukuishi/winter/
Tengendai Kogen｜Yamagata Prefecture
Go to an altitude of 1,820m with a snow compactor with a cabin! "Tsugamori East Wall Fast Track Tour with Guide"
Tengendai Highlands is located in the southern part of the 2,000-meter-high Ou Mountains. With an elevation of over 1,800 meters at its peak, and thanks to its north-facing slopes and favorable geographical location, its powder quality is said to be among the best in Honshu. The snow tends to be in good condition, boasting a long season that typically spans six months from early December through Golden Week in May.
The popular First Track Tour will be available again this 2024-2025 season! This tour takes you to Kitamoudai, at an elevation of 1,820 meters, on a 15-passenger snow-compacted vehicle, and then offers guided powder rides on the east and west walls of Tsugamori. The tour will be held every Sunday morning from January to February 2026, and requires lodging at Tengendai Highlands.
| time | 7:20～8:20 |
| price | 3,500 yen/person |
| hold | Every Sunday in January and February 2026 |
・Reservation required until 16:00 the day before
・Capacity: 15 people
・Limited to advanced users
◆ Official HP / https://www.winter.tengendai.jp/
Summer Oil Kogen Ski Resort｜Iwate Prefecture
Heavy Snow Powder & Tree Run "Fast Track"
Summer Oil Plateau, one of Japan's heavy snowfall areas. Dry powder piles up continuously during the season. Tree run is famous along with heavy snow powder. It is a dream-like environment where you can ski in a vast area of beautiful forest woven by undulating terrain. Fast track is where you can enjoy this summer oil first thing in the morning before anyone else.
Get on the first gondola 10 minutes before the regular gondola operating time and get access to No Track before anyone else. You can freely choose the course from A1 to B2, where you can run up the tree run course where deep powder unique to summer oil accumulates, and beautiful grooming burn.
| time | Reception 7:15-8:30 Meeting time 8:35 Mountain Information next to the ticket counter |
| price | Basic 1,000 yen/person | Without snow 500 yen/person | Over 30cm of snow 1,500 yen/person |
| hold | Weekends, holidays from December 13th to February 23rd, and the New Year's holiday period (December 27th to January 4th) |
Registration: 7:15-8:30 at the ticket counter (participants must purchase lift tickets)
Capacity: First 30 people
◆ Official HP / https://www.getokogen.com/winter/index.html
[Joetsu area]
Lotte Arai Resort｜Niigata Prefecture
Priority ride on gondola lifts with “First Class Ticket”
Arai has already had more than 3 meters of snow during the airy season in December, and during the high season it has always remained at more than 5 meters, so there will be plenty of snow until spring. It's a natural powder mountain where 84% of the snow is uncompacted, and the powder reset rate is one of the best in Japan. In addition, it is a mega field that can fit four Tokyo Disneylands.
The appeal of Arai is that you can efficiently ski the vast powder field using lifts, and the special system that allows you to enjoy it to the fullest is the ``First Class Ticket'' (8,000 yen). If you purchase this ticket, you will be able to get priority rides on gondola lifts. As a result, I was able to reach the fast track first thing in the morning.
| time | 8:30～ |
| price | Adults (19-49 years old) 12,500 yen | 50+ (50 years old and over) 12,000 yen | Children (7-18 years old) 8,000 yen |
| hold | Saturday, December 13, 2025 - Sunday, March 22, 2026 |
◆ Official HP / https://www.lottehotel.com/arai-resort/ja/ski-webzine.html
[Yuzawa area]
Maiko Snow Resort | Niigata Prefecture
"Haglöfs First Track Cat Tour"
Starting in the 2025-2026 season, a snow cat tour called "Haglöfs First Track Cat Tour" will be held! Before the lifts open, you will approach the slopes by cat (snow vehicle), and a dedicated guide will show you around.
Speaking of Maiko, the number of ungroomed snow and tree run courses is rapidly expanding, especially in the Okusoji area, and it is an attractive field with a rich natural landscape and powdery Uonuma snow. The first track, crowned by Haglöfs, is attracting a lot of attention, and details are eagerly awaited.
Be sure to check the official website!
◆ Official HP / https://www.maiko-resort.com/
Naeba Ski Resort | Niigata Prefecture
There are nine chances this season! Naeba's traditional "fast track"
"First Track" is a regular event in Naeba where you can enjoy untouched and groomed runs. It is held under Prince Gondola No. 2 and No. 1. No reservations are required, and tickets can be purchased on the morning of the day. Please note that the ticket booths vary depending on the location of First Track.
| time | 7:15~ Special tickets available at the No. 1 Gondola Lift ticket booth (special counter) 7:30~ Gondola boarding begins 8:00~8:30 Skiing |
| price | 2,000 yen/person ・Season ticket holder 1,500 yen/person |
| hold | January 1st, 2026 (New Year's Day), January 4th (Sunday), January 11th (Sunday), January 18th (Sunday), January 25th (Sunday), February 1st (Sunday), February 22nd (Sunday), March 1st (Sunday), March 15th (Sunday) |
・How to apply → Tickets will be on sale at the lift ticket counter from 7:15 AM on the day of the event.
・For inquiries, please contact Naeba Ski Resort at 025-789-4117.
*The event will be held at Prince Gondola No. 1 in January and February, and Prince Gondola No. 2 in March.
◆ Official HP / https://www.princehotels.co.jp/
Kagura | Niigata Prefecture
``KAGURA Fast Track'' by staying at Wada Hut
A plan that is very popular among powder enthusiasts is to stay at Wada Hut, located halfway up the Kagura slopes at an altitude of 1,380m, and enjoy the first track the next morning. In other words, this is a special service limited to guests staying at Wada Goya. The accommodation operating period of Wada hut for the '23-24 season is from Saturday, December 2, 2024 to Monday, May 5, 2025 (holiday).
Another nice bonus is that you can purchase a one-day lift ticket (adult/senior) for 5,000 yen x number of days at the time of check-in. If you arrive after 11:30 A.M. on the day of your stay, you can use the afternoon ticket for that day for 3,500 yen. If you register after 2:00 P.M., the afternoon ticket for that day is free, but only if you purchase a lift ticket for the following day.
| time | 8:00 (7:30 on weekends and holidays) ~ |
| price | Wada Hut 1 night and 2 meals (dinner and breakfast included) Adult ¥15,000 / Child ¥12,000 (up to elementary school age) |
| hold | Saturdays, New Year's holiday (December 27th (Sat) - January 3rd (Sat)), Golden Week (April 29th (Wednesday, national holiday) - May 5th (Tuesday, national holiday)), special days (January 11th (Sunday), February 22nd (Sunday, national holiday), March 20th (Friday, national holiday)) |
・Wada hut lodging fee and separate lift ticket required
◆ Official HP / https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/naeba/winter/
Muikamachi Hakkaisan Ski Resort | Niigata Prefecture
"HAKKAISAN First Track" will be held every day from December 27th (Sat) to March 8th (Sun)!
"First Track" is a regular event at Muikamachi Hakkaisan Ski Resort, where you can enjoy the "No Track & Groomed Run" that no one has skied on yet. This season, it will be held every day from Saturday, December 27, 2025 to Sunday, March 8, 2026! To apply, please call the ski resort between 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m. the day before your visit.
TEL: 025-775-331
| time | 7:40-8:00 Reception at the lift ticket office at Ropeway Sanroku Station 8:10 Board the ropeway |
| price | 2000 yen/person |
| hold | All days from Saturday, December 27, 2025 to Sunday, March 8, 2026 *Excluding January 1, 2026 (New Year's Day) |
*Lift tickets after Fast Track are an additional charge.
*Hailholders of Hakkaisan season tickets also pay a
◆ Official HP / https://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/hakkaisan/winter/
[Gunma area]
Kawaba Ski Resort｜Gunma Prefecture
Daily CAT "fast track" from the summit
Before the general opening, you can take a quick approach to the top of the slope on their stylishly decorated snowmobiles. You can enjoy the magnificent panoramic view from the top and ski down the empty runs first thing in the morning. Another great thing about this resort is that it operates every day during the season. Of course, the best time to go is the morning after it snows. The popular "First Track" + "1-Day Lift Ticket" is 8,500 yen on weekdays and offers plenty of fun skiing.
Kawaba also has a very popular non-compact snow powder riding area called "OFF THE PISTE". First thing in the morning is the fast track, and then you can enjoy the off-piste feeling all day long with OFF THE PISTE.
| Fast Track (single person rate) | weekday | 3,000 yen |
|---|---|---|
| Weekends, holidays, New Year's holiday (12/27~1/4) | 3,500 yen | |
| Fast Track (1 person fee) + 1-day lift ticket | weekday | 8,500 yen |
| Weekends, holidays, New Year's holiday (12/27~1/4) | 9,000 yen | |
| Fast Track (private tour) *Maximum of 15 people can participate | 1 cat 50,000 yen Includes breakfast vouchers for the number of people | |
・Advance online reservation system
◆ Official HP / https://www.kawaba.co.jp/snow/