How to Plan a Family Ski Holiday in Japan: Ski Resorts and Tips

Skiing in Japan is a top choice for families worldwide. You and your kids could enjoy family-friendly ski resorts with high-quality natural powder snow, fun winter activities, English-speaking ski schools, childcare services, and traditional Japanese onsens.

Discover family-friendly ski resorts in Japan and get the information you need to plan the perfect family ski trip.

1. Choose When to Go to Japan for a Ski Trip

Japan's ski season usually runs from December to April. However, the actual open dates depend on each resort and its location. Due to the northernmost location of Hokkaido and the high elevation of Nagano's mountains, snow in these places comes earlier than elsewhere — in early November, while elsewhere in Japan it begins to fall in December.

January and February are the peak months for skiing, with steady snowfall and dry, light powder snow — the two most important elements of a perfect ski resort. Christmas and New Year holidays also attract lots of people to go skiing.

There are fewer people in December, March, and April. Although it still snows in March and April, the snow is unstable due to warming temperatures, and artificial snow is used when there is not much natural snow.

2. Decide Where to Ski in Japan

Japan has two main skiing regions for families: Hokkaido and Nagano.

Hokkaido is a top pick if skiing is your main reason for the trip. It boasts more family-friendly ski resorts, offering high-end hotel options and the most vibrant nightlife. However, there aren't many other winter attractions to explore in Hokkaido besides skiing. Additionally, Hokkaido is far from other popular tourist cities in Japan, usually requiring air travel to connect.

Nagano is recommended if you prefer to combine skiing with visiting major highlights. It's close to Tokyo, accessible via the Shinkansen. Besides skiing, Nagano offers experiences like watching snow monkeys relax in onsens and soaking in natural hot springs. Being located in central Japan, Nagano is easy to reach other tourist cities as well.

• For families who want to go skiing in Japan in November, ski resorts in Hokkaido are suggested as there's unlikely to be snow elsewhere.
• For families who want to ski with the best-quality powder snow and first-class facilities, Hokkaido is the place to go because it has heavy snowfall and more luxury chain hotels.
• For families visiting Japan for the first time and wanting to combine skiing with exploring Tokyo's major highlights, Nagano's ski resorts are highly recommended. Nagano is only 1½ hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen.

3. Select the Best Family Ski Resorts

Most family-friendly ski resorts in Japan are located in Hokkaido and Nagano. These resorts offer convenient access, are suitable for all ski levels, provide kid-favored experiences beyond skiing, and are easy to incorporate into your exploration of Japan. You could choose the most suitable option based on your requirements.

1) Niseko: Most Popular

• Location: Hokkaido
• Distance: 2 hours from New Chitose Airport by car
• Ski school: yes

Niseko in Hokkaido is the largest and most popular ski resort in Japan, renowned for its top-notch powder snow and liveliest atmosphere. The resort comprises four interconnected areas: Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri, and Hanazono.

All four resorts are ideal for families. Annupuri and Niseko Village are especially perfect with more fun options and gentle slopes. You and your kids could enjoy snow carting, snowshoe trekking, horseback riding, and more.

If your kids need ski lessons or you want to learn skiing as a family, GoSnow in Hirafu is a recommended ski school in Niseko. It's the most cost-effective, offering various lesson types suitable for kids aged 3 and above.

Niseko has the most nightlife options among Japanese ski resorts. You and your partner could enjoy bars, pubs, and night markets, making it a great place for romantic nights.

However, booking hotels in Niseko could be challenging due to high demand. You're highly recommended to reserve your preferred hotel 8–12 months in advance to secure your booking.

2) Rusutsu: Less Crowded than Niseko

• Location: Hokkaido
• Distance: 2 hours from New Chitose Airport by car
• Ski school: yes

Rusutsu in Hokkaido is just a 30-minute drive from Niseko. It boasts a similar quality powder snow as in Niseko, offering a less crowded, more affordable skiing experience. However, the hotel and restaurant facilities cannot be compared with Niseko.

Rusutsu has been chosen as the best family ski resort in Japan. It offers a wide range of activities that kids and teenagers love, along with a dedicated kids' park. Activities include mini bobsleds, snow racers, ice fishing, an indoor carousel, etc.

3) Kiroro: All-Inclusive Club Med

• Location: Hokkaido
• Distance: 1½ hours from New Chitose Airport by car
• Ski school: yes

If you're looking for a stress-free skiing vacation with your kids, Kiroro is the perfect choice for you due to its all-inclusive Club Med.

The package includes accommodation, meals, activities, all-day hosting services, and ski lessons. It ensures both kids and parents have a fulfilling time at the ski resort. Your family could relax in hot springs, watch performances, and access a minibar for added enjoyment.

Kiroro offers the deepest snowfall in Hokkaido and fewer crowds, enhancing your experience. However, the costs are high and there is little to explore around the resort so you may spend most of your time at the hotels.

4) Furano Ski Resort: More Japanese Vibe

• Location: Hokkaido
• Distance: 2½ hours from New Chitose Airport by car
• Ski school: yes

Furano Ski Resort is a tranquil getaway with more flat slopes, perfect for beginners and families. Like other family-friendly ski resorts in Hokkaido, it offers ski schools, a snow park, and childcare services.

You and your kids could also explore a small local village nearby. In contrast to the three highly Westernized resorts mentioned earlier, it offers more authentic Japanese cultural experiences, local eateries, and traditional Japanese accommodation.

5) Hakuba Valley: Close to Tokyo

• Location: Nagano
• Distance: 3 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen plus car
• Ski school: yes

Hakuba Valley in Nagano is the most popular family ski resort near Tokyo, easily accessible by Shinkansen. Surrounded by many traditional onsens with history, you could enjoy a more Japanese atmosphere compared to ski resorts in Hokkaido.

It is Japan's largest ski resort, boasting 10 interconnected resorts. Among these, Tsugaike Kogen, Hakuba47, and Jiigatake are ideal for families, due to their gentle slopes and family-friendly facilities. The resort hosts competitions, music weeks, and other entertainment programs throughout the ski season for families to enjoy a fun time together.

Beyond skiing, Nagano is convenient to connect with major Japanese cities, such as Tokyo and Kyoto. Plus, don't miss witnessing the unique sight of snow monkeys soaking in hot springs in Nagano.

4. Choose the Best Places/Hotels to Stay for Your Family

Ski resorts in Hokkaido and Nagano are large, with many hotels located in separate areas within the resort, making it important to choose where to stay.

It's recommended to choose a hotel with ski-in/ski-out access to save more time and energy getting to and from the pistes.

Additionally, most hotels in Japanese ski resorts offer rooms that could accommodate 3–5 people.

Family interconnecting rooms are few in these hotels and get booked up quickly, so it's best to reserve them 8–12 months in advance. Alternatively, you may opt for an aparthotel for a more spacious room and ease of booking.

Here are the recommended areas and hotels for families in the ski resorts mentioned above.

Niseko

Niseko Village and Annupuri as they offer more family-friendly facilities.

• Recommended hotels: Hilton Niseko Village and Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri

Rusutsu

West Mountain in this resort is the main area to stay.

• Recommended hotel: The Westin Rusutsu Resort

Kiroro

Club Med Kiroro Grand is perfect because it's all-inclusive, making it hassle-free for parents.

Furano Ski Resort

The Furano area is perfect to stay in as it offers ski-in/ski-out access.

• Recommended hotel: New Furano Prince Hotel

Hakuba Valley

It's best to opt for a hotel that is within walking distance of the ski resorts because many of the accommodation options in Hakuba Valley do not offer ski-in/ski-out access.

• Recommended hotel: Hakuba Sun Valley Hotel

5. How Long to Stay in Japan for a Ski Trip

Typically, it takes 8–14 days to ski in Japan and explore its highlights. For the best experience, plan to spend 2–3 full days at a ski resort to fully enjoy the fun of skiing.

We suggest spending at least 8 days in Japan for your ski trip. Nagano is the best skiing destination as it's close to Tokyo and connected by Shinkansen. You could explore the highlights of Tokyo and Mount Fuji. Check out our 8-Day Tokyo Highlights and Nagano Skiing Tour for more ideas.

If you have 12 days in Japan, it's also recommended to go skiing in Nagano for the same reason. You would have more time to visit other major places like Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. Read our handpicked 12-Day Japan Classics and Hakuba Skiing Winter Tour for inspiration.

For a longer 14-day stay, you could ski in Hokkaido and explore the major cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. It gives you enough time to ski in Hokkaido, which is far away from major cities and needs to be reached by flight. Read our 14-Day Japan Highlights Tour with Skiing in Hokkaido for more details.

6. What to Pack for a Japan Family Ski Holiday

Winter in Japan from December to February could be very cold. Daily highs often drop below zero, particularly in Hokkaido, where temperatures range from -10°C to -15°C (5–14°F). You should take a down jacket to keep warm.

Snowsuits are necessities because they are designed for snow sports and are more resistant to cold and water than normal clothing. Goggles, gloves, and a woolen hat for skiing should also be packed.

While rental shops at the resorts rent or sell skis, poles, and ski boots, most experienced families choose to take their equipment. Traveling through Japan with your skis isn't easy so it's advisable to use a delivery service that would ship your skis directly from the airport to the resort, minimizing your trouble.

7. How Much Does a Ski Trip to Japan Cost?

Skiing in Japan is cheaper than in Europe and North America. Hokkaido's ski resorts are about twice as expensive as those in other regions, particularly Niseko. It boasts many luxury chain hotels, making it the most expensive resort for skiing in Japan.

Here is a breakdown of skiing costs in Japan for inspiration:

• Day pass: ranges from US$50–70 per person
• Lift pass: about US$40
• Ski school: ranges from US$100–200 per day
• Rentals: starting from US$40 per set
• Accommodation: ranges from US$100–950

8. From Which Airport Do You Enter Japan for a Ski Trip?

You could enter Japan through four main airports for your ski trip: Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport, Sapporo's New Chitose Airport, and Osaka's Kansai International Airport.

When skiing in Nagano, the best entrance is one of Tokyo's airports. You could reach Nagano from Tokyo by Shinkansen within 1½ hours. While flying to Osaka is another option, it would take 3½ hours to reach Nagano by train. It's better to explore Osaka and Kyoto before skiing in Nagano.

When skiing in Hokkaido, Sapporo's New Chitose Airport is the most convenient entry point. You could reach the main Hokkaido ski resorts from the airport within 2½ hours.

9. What Else to Do for a Winter Trip to Japan

Beyond skiing, Japan's winter provides many unique experiences that your family shouldn't miss. For example, witness snow monkeys soaking in onsens in Nagano, admire wintry lighting at traditional Japanese farmhouses in Shirakawa-go, enjoy the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido, and relax in hot springs with snow-covered scenery.

Customize Your Japan Family Ski Tour Now

We're here to help you plan your family ski trip in Japan, ensuring that you have a stress-free experience and enjoy quality time together. Explore our Japan ski tours and we'll make your dream trip a reality!

• 8-Day Tokyo Highlights and Nagano Skiing Tour
• 12-Day Japan Classics and Hakuba Skiing Winter Tour
• 14-Day Japan Highlights and Skiing in Hokkaido