Japan Ski Resort Opening Dates Winter 26/27
When it comes to riding Japow, everyone knows that the early bird gets the deep tracks. It's no secret, with lift lines packing out for an 8:30 am opening, to then be completely cleared out by 8:45 am when riders have dispersed all over the mountain to their favourite pow pockets.
But how early is too early? Naturally, you don't want to book in a holiday and get to town to find that the resorts are still looking like this and no lifts are spinning...
So when do the lifts actually start spinning? Let's break it down.
Niseko United and Surrounding Resort Opening Dates 2026
Niseko, located in Hokkaido on the north island of Japan offers up four interconnect ski resorts (Niseko United), an elevation of 1,308 meters and 73 runs (84 including gates). On top of that, it averages between 12-15 metres of snow each and every year.
As you can imagine, it's a pretty epic spot to go riding.
If you're planning on hitting up Niseko, here's when you'll be able to go riding.
Resort | Planned Opening Date | Planned Closing Date | Notes |
Niseko Hanazono Resort | November 28th, 2026 | April 11th, 2027 | |
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu | November 28th, 2026 | May 5th, 2027 | |
Niseko Village Ski Resort | November 28th, 2026 | April 4th, 2027 | |
Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area | November 28th, 2026 | May 5th, 2027 | |
Rusutsu | November 28th, 2026 | March 30th, 2027 | Not Affiliated With Niseko United |
Night Skiing Schedule
Dates: December 12, 2026 – March 22, 2027
Coverage: Available across all four interconnected ski areas
Furano Ski Resort Opening Dates Winter 2026/27
Japow's best kept secret, Furano, located in central Hokkaido roughly about 2 hours from Sapporo, is known for serving up some of the lightest and driest pow, two primary resort locations (Furano Ski Area and Kitanomine) as well as some epic terrain every which way you look from the main township.
And did we mention, kids 12 and under also score free lift passes?
If you're jumping on the Furano train before it packs out over the years to cme, here's when you can expect to strap in:
Resort | Planned Opening Date | Planned Closing Date | Notes |
Furano Ski Resort | November 28th, 2026 | May 5 - 6, 2027 | Covered under the Ikon pass |
Kitanomine Zone | Early to Mid December, 2026 | Late March, 2027 | Covered under the Ikon pass |
Sahoro Resort Ski Area | Early December, 2026 | April 4th, 2027 | Nearby to Furano in the Kamikawa region. |
Furano Zone Night Skiing: Starts around mid-December 2026
Kitanomine Zone Night Skiing: Starts around late December 2026
End Date: March 21, 2027
Weekday Hours: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Cost: ¥3,100 for adults)
Weekend, Holiday & Peak Period Hours (Dec 26 – Jan 3): 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Cost: ¥3,900 for adults)
Hakuba Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026/27
It’s the snow, naturally resort opening dates tend to come down to the weather, and Hakuba normally play it safe by not announcing the resort opening dates until it's go-time.
Buttttttt, there is an extra special announcement for Able Hakuba Goryu this year.
They’re opening up things a little bit earlier, with the announcement that they will be installing two snow machines run from 100% pure renewable energy to help give us epic snow to shred until the skies open up and bless us with the real thing.
With that huge announcement, you’ll be able to ride the lower levels of the resort in the Toomi Ski Resort base area from the 21st of November, 2026.
Upper summit areas and other resort opening dates across the Hakuba Valley haven’t been announced just yet, but based on previous years opening dates we’re expecting:
Late November – Early December:
Tsugaike Mountain Resort
Able Hakuba Goryu
Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park
Hakuba Happo-one Snow Resort
Mid-December
Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field
Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort
Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort
Kashimayari Ski Resort
Jigatake Snow Resort
White Resort Hakuba Sanosaka
Wait, you haven't pre-booked your gear yet? Don't you know that you save heaps of dosh by pre-booking in advance?