"Time tickets" have recently appeared along with the introduction of IC tickets. If used properly, they seem to be a very efficient way to enjoy skiing to the fullest. This sounds intriguing! So we've put together a list of ski resorts that are offering time tickets for the 2024-2025 season. "Time tickets" can also be purchased at an early bird discount, and some are only available for a limited time. Be sure to check out the official website
How does a "time ticket" work?
Simply put, a time ticket is a ticket that contains a 1-hour ticket for a set number of hours. It can be used in 1-hour increments, and time spent on breaks does not count. Furthermore, any remaining hours can be carried over and used across days within a set period during the season
Let's take the case of a 20-hour ticket as an example. When you first pass through the gate, one hour is subtracted from your IC lift ticket, leaving you with 19 hours remaining. From that point on, you can pass through the gate as many times as you like for one hour. From then on, the time is subtracted every hour in the same way, giving you a total of 20 hours of use
Looking at the visual case for the 20-hour ticket for Geto Kogen here, it gives a concrete and easy-to-understand image
For example, if you arrive at the ski resort at 8:30 and first pass through the gate at 9:00, the one hour from 9:00 to 9:59 will be counted and deducted from the 20 hours. So, if you get on the lift just in time for 9:59, ski down the slope at 10:15, and pass through the next gate at 10:45, the next hour from 10:45 to 11:44 will be counted and deducted. In other words, if you pass through a gate within one hour, the time will not be deducted until you pass the next gate
This is extremely user-friendly and a great deal. You can take your time to have lunch or take a break without worrying about time, and with this timed ticket you don't have to worry about regretting not getting your full-day pass, or pushing yourself to ski in bad weather. What an efficient and convenient solution!
Now, let's take a look at some ski resorts that offer these convenient time tickets
[Common] NSD Snow Resort | Common time ticket *NEW!
New "25-Hour Ticket" and "15-Hour Ticket" are now on sale, allowing you to ski freely and efficiently at nine resorts.
This season, two types of time tickets, the 25-hour ticket and the 15-hour ticket, have been introduced as a new service for NSD Group partner resorts operated by Nippon Ski Resort Development Co., Ltd. These common time tickets, which can be used at multiple resorts at these nine popular resorts, are on sale in limited quantities from October 1st. The NSD Group ski resorts that are eligible are as follows:
Miyagi Prefecture - Miyagi Zao Eboshi Resort
Gunma Prefecture - Oguna Hotaka Ski Resort | Kawaba Ski Resort
Nagano Prefecture - Kashimayari Ski Resort Family Park | Tsugaike Mountain Resort | Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield | Ryuo Ski Park | Sugadaira Kogen Snow Resort Gifu Prefecture
- Meiho Ski Resort
The sale period is from October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. It will end once sold out
| Ticket type | Sales period | 15-hour ticket | 25-hour ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common lift ticket | 10/1~3/31, 2025 | 22,500 yen (limited to 10,000 copies) | 30,000 yen (limited to 20,000 copies) |
[Hokkaido] Sapporo Teine | "25-hour advance ticket + 5"
A 25-hour ticket with 5 hours of bonus fun to fully enjoy Sapporo Teine
is available for advance sale from October 15th to November 29th
It's extremely accessible, just a 40-minute drive from central Sapporo. From the summit, which is 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 sparse forest nature zone is a powder paradise with ungroomed snow
In recent years, Sapporo Teine has become extremely popular among advanced freeride enthusiasts and skiers and snowboarders. Their main attraction is the vast backcountry that lies beyond the gates at the summit. The quality of the snow and the fascinating terrain are incredible. Easy lift access allows you to ski down the powder-filled faces and then return to the ski resort's parking lot. This "25 Hours + 5" plan allows you to ski the fascinating Sapporo Teine efficiently for a full 30 hours, only when the conditions are good. The 25-hour ticket includes 5 extra hours of benefits
The hourly rate for the "25-hour advance ticket + 5" is 834 yen for adults, a 17% discount over the regular "25-hour ticket"! A regular "5-hour ticket" is 30% off! Advance tickets are only available from October 15th to November 29th, so don't miss your chance!
| Ticket type | Sales period | Adults (19-64 years old) | Seniors (65 and over) | Junior and senior high school students (13-18 years old) | Children (ages 4-12) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advance 25-hour ticket +5 | 10/15～11/29 | 25,000 yen | 22,000 yen | 22,000 yen | 16,000 yen |
[Hokkaido] Rusutsu Resort | "25-hour ticket + 5"
The 25-hour ticket allows you to ski in one-hour increments and includes a bonus 5-hour pass!
Available for a limited time from November 1st!
The "25-Hour Ticket + 5" is a convenient and economical option that allows you to ski in one-hour increments across dates during the season, and includes an additional 5 hours of bonus time. It's like a card with 30 1-hour tickets
30 hours means you can enjoy the park 6 times if you use it for 5 hours a day, or 10 times if you use it for 3 hours a day. If you purchase online, the price per hour for the "25-hour advance ticket + 5" is 1,050 yen for adults. This is 17% cheaper than the 25-hour ticket and 47% cheaper than the 5-hour ticket
Rusutsu receives drier powder than the Niseko area because Mount Yotei blocks the humidity flowing in from the Sea of Japan. Intermittent snowfall from December to February resets the faces with fresh snow almost every day, making powder hits more likely
Rusutsu is a place full of nature, and you can enjoy side country parks that make use of the undulating and varied natural terrain, as well as tree runs in the beautiful forests scattered throughout the area
The "25 hours + 5" ticket is the best way to enjoy Rusutsu efficiently and strategically. If you're planning on going on a ski trip staying in Rusutsu for a few days twice a season, or if you're a Hokkaido resident looking to go skiing in Rusutsu on a day with good conditions, this ticket is by far the best value
| Ticket type | Sales period | Adults (19-64 years old) | Seniors (65 and over) | Junior and senior high school students (13-18 years old) | Children (ages 4-12) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-hour ticket + 5 | 11/1 ～12/10 | 33,000 yen (31,500 yen) | 27,500 yen (26,300 yen) | 27,500 yen (26,300 yen) | 16,500 yen (15,800 yen) |
[Gunma Area] POWDER5 Gunma | Common Time Ticket
Sales for
10-hour or 20-hour lift tickets for Kawaba, Marunuma, Iwakura, Hodaigi, and Ogunahotaka 00:00 on Tuesday, October 1st
The ever-popular "POWDER5 Hourly Ticket Gunma 5" is a convenient and economical ticket that allows you to ski to your heart's content at five ski resorts in Gunma Prefecture: Kawaba Ski Resort, Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort, White World Oze Iwakura, Gunma Minakami Hodaigi Ski Resort, and Katashishina Guna Hotaka Ski Resort. This season, there are two types of tickets: a 10-hour ticket and a 20-hour ticket
It is very efficient because it can be used in one-hour increments from the time you first pass through the IC gate (touch your IC ticket), and if you have time left, you can use it on another day during the season. You can also check the remaining time on your IC ticket at the ticket counter of each ski resort. It is very convenient as it allows you to use your time effectively. There is no need to exchange it at the ski resort, as it is an IC lift ticket that can be used directly on the lift, so there is no need to line up at the ticket counter, making it stress-free
Each of the five ski resorts is unique. They offer a wide variety of courses, including powder, long courses, and groomed runs, all taking advantage of the abundant natural terrain that is unique to the Gunma area. Be sure to check out the official website for more information
The "POWDER5 Time Ticket Gunma 5" will be sold in limited quantities this season as well. Sales will begin on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 0:00, and orders will be accepted at WINTER PLUS. A thoughtful bonus with the purchase is "one drink at each ski resort." (A total of five drinks will be provided. The contents will vary depending on the ski resort.)
| Ticket type | Sales period | 10-hour ticket | 20-hour ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | 10/1〜11/30 | 9,600 yen | 18,700 yen |
| usually | After December | 12,000 yen | 22,000 yen |
[Tohoku Area] Geto Plateau | Super Early Bird 20-Hour Lift Ticket
bird discounts for this freeriding paradise of heavy snow, powder, and tree runs
are available until October 31st!
Geto Plateau is well known as one of Japan's snowiest areas. Located in the southwestern part of Iwate Prefecture, it is bounded by the Kitakami Mountains to the east and the Ou Mountains to the west. The terrain produces an undeniable amount of dry powder, making it the snowiest place in Honshu. The high powder reset rate makes it a paradise for powder lovers. What makes Geto Plateau even more outstanding is the vast tree riding zone in the beautiful forest. To make the most of this charming Geto Plateau, we recommend the Super Early Bird 20-Hour Lift Ticket. Tickets will also be on general sale during the season starting this season
The special feature of Getyu Kogen's 20-hour pass is that it can be used anytime during the season, and if you find you don't have enough time, you can recharge it in 5-hour increments (only available to those who purchase a 20-hour pass).
It's really convenient to be able to add 5 hours when you have a tricky amount of time left, like 1 or 2 hours, or when the conditions get better and you want to extend your time. A 5-hour charge costs 5,500 yen.
Recharging is available at the ticket counter.
| Ticket type | Sales period | 20-hour ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Super Early Bird | 9/1〜10/31 | 21,800 yen |
| usually | 11/1～ | 26,000 yen |
[Shinetsu Area] Madarao Kogen Ski Resort | Time Ticket
This is perfect for those who want to go skiing on the snowy mornings of Madapow!
The 2024-2025 season is more convenient with options of 3, 5, 7, 14, and 24 hour skiing.
Madarao is known for its unique high-quality powder, known as "Madapow," and its abundant natural snow. The course layout, which makes use of the undulating natural terrain, is also attractive, and it has the most tree run courses in Japan! The variety of courses is impressive, and it is often called the best in Japan for tree runs. Countless powder freeride enthusiasts are captivated by the outstanding environment. This time pass is perfect for those who can't come often enough to buy a season pass, but still want to go skiing on the mornings when the Madapow is piled high!
Flexible "time tickets" that are valid throughout the season. Even more convenient for the 2024-2025 season! Previously, a 4-hour ticket was valid for 4 consecutive hours from the first time you passed through the gate, but this season's new time tickets are valid for 1 hour from the time you pass through the gate
Since then, the system has been updated so that the next hour becomes valid from the moment you pass through the gate after more than an hour has passed
It can also be used for night skiing. It's convenient and great value for those who want to concentrate on skiing for a short period of time, those who want to take longer breaks, those who want to ski depending on the weather and snow conditions, those who live in an area with easy access to Madarao, etc. Another appealing feature of Madarao is the wide variety of tickets available, from 3 hours to 24 hours
| Ticket type | Adults (junior high school students and above) | Seniors (55 years and older) | Elementary school student |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-hour ticket | 3,900 yen | 3,600 yen | 2,700 yen |
| 5-hour ticket | 6,500 yen | 6,000 yen | 4,000 yen |
| 7-hour ticket | 7,700 yen | 7,000 yen | 4,900 yen |
| 14-hour ticket | 14,000 yen | 13,300 yen | 9,100 yen |
| 24-hour ticket | 24,000 yen | 22,800 yen | 15,600 yen |
[Yuzawa Area] Kandatsu Snow Resort | 25-hour ticket
Only 100 25-hour tickets are available for sale, allowing you to make the most of Kamitate's long day, which is open from early morning until late at night
This 25-hour pass is well worth it for people who want to ski only during a convenient time for a day trip, who like to take their time for lunch and coffee, who don't use the lifts much, who only want to enjoy the powder snow first thing in the morning, who want to ski for only one hour at night, or who want to decide the time they ski each time depending on the weather
Speaking of Kandatsu Snow Resort, it's incredibly accessible, just 69 minutes from Tokyo on the Joetsu Shinkansen, about 7 minutes by free shuttle bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station, and just 1km or 3 minutes by car from the Yuzawa IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway, with free parking all day. The lifts start operating early on weekends and holidays, and night skiing is available until 2am on Fridays, Saturdays, and the days before holidays. The resort boasts an unparalleled range of amenities to make your day trip a comfortable and enjoyable one, including a hot spring and sauna where you can relax all day, a nap space with Wi-Fi, plenty of restaurants with a wide selection of food, and contracted lockers
The high-quality snow park and Kandatsu Free Ski School are well-known to free skiers who love jumps and jibs, but there are also ungroomed powder areas, mogul areas, tree runs, steep slopes with a maximum gradient of 45 degrees, and a long course along a ridge that is 2,900 meters long, to satisfy the desires of all types of skiers
Why not try a 25-hour ticket to make the most of your time at Kamitate this season?
| Ticket type | Sales location | |
|---|---|---|
| 25-hour ticket | GROUNDBASE 2F ticket counter | 20,000 yen |