Plan your ski trip to Japan
Stories, guides, and tips for skiing and snowboarding in Japan — written by our team and the instructors who teach there.
Latest articles
Can You Bring Medication to Japan? What You Need to Know Before You Travel
Packing for a ski trip to Japan usually means thinking about warm layers, waterproof clothing, ski gear and everything you'll need for long days in the snow. But there's one part of your packing that deserves a little more attention: medication. Japan has strict regulations around bringing medicines into the country, and some medications that are completely routine and legally prescribed elsewhere are treated very differently under Japanese law. That doesn't mean you need to travel without your medication. It simply means you should check the rules before you fly, rather than discovering them when you arrive.
Best Ski Width for Japan: A Guide by Skier Level
Piste, all-mountain or powder skis? We break down the best waist width and stiffness for every level. We also explain why Japan's light snow lets you ski narrower than you might expect, and why afternoon chop on storm days still favours a wider ski.
What Happens During a Child’s First Ski Lesson?
For parents, a child’s first ski lesson can come with a lot of questions. What will they actually do? Will they go straight onto a slope? How quickly will they learn to stop?
How Long Should a Ski Lesson Be for Children?
When booking a ski lesson for children, one of the questions parents often have is: “How long should the lesson be?” It is easy to assume that younger children should automatically have shorter lessons.
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Should I Ski With My Child During Their Lesson?
One of the questions we're asked most often is whether parents can join their child's ski lesson or stay nearby to watch.
Gate 11 — Mizuno no Sawa: Niseko's Avalanche-Controlled Zone
Gate 11 at Niseko Village is the only avalanche-controlled zone on the mountain. Guide to terrain, opening hours, the conditions that make it good, and when to avoid it.
Gate 10 — Moiwa Sidecountry: Spacious Powder Bowls
Gate 10 at Moiwa accesses wide west/southwest-facing powder bowls with no hike. Guide to terrain, the conditions that make it good, and when to avoid it.
Gate 9 — Waterfall: Consistent Fall-Line Tree Skiing
Gate 9 — the Waterfall gate — faces south/southeast and loads deep in the lee of the prevailing wind. Guide to terrain, the conditions that suit it, and when to avoid it.
Gate 8 — Hachi-Ban: Annupuri Tree Skiing Without a Hike
Gate 8 at Annupuri is a no-hike tree gate facing west/southwest. Guide to terrain, the conditions that make it good, and when to avoid it.
Gate 7 — Annupuri's Low, Sheltered Bad-Weather Gate
Gate 7 at Annupuri is a low, sheltered gate — the go-to in bad weather, but very sun-exposed. Guide to terrain, the conditions that suit it, and when to skip it.
Gate 6 — Moiwa Peak: Uncrowded Backcountry at a Separate Resort
Gate 6 at Moiwa Peak accesses uncrowded bowls at a separate resort, on a choice of aspects. Guide to terrain, the conditions that make it good, and when to avoid it.
Strawberry Fields — Hanazono's Best Inbounds Trees
Strawberry Fields at Hanazono is Niseko's most popular inbounds advanced tree zone. Guide to terrain, the conditions that make it good, and when to skip it.