Japan Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-2027: Honshu Tracker

Last updated: 30 July 2026. Status: most resorts have not announced their 2026–27 dates yet.

Planning a ski trip near Tokyo for the 2026–2027 season? This page tracks opening dates for all 56 resorts in our guide. Most resorts announce their dates between September and November. We check public resort data and update this page within 24 hours of each announcement. Until then, you can see when each resort opened last season. This is a good guide for planning.

If you want to know how opening dates work in general, read our guide: When Do Honshu Ski Resorts Open? (and Close)

Quick answer: the earliest places to ski

Based on last season, the first resorts to open are:

Most other resorts open in mid-December. Almost all resorts are open by December 20.

Open by date: match resorts to your travel dates

Use this list if your travel dates are fixed and you want to know where you can ski. Dates are based on last season and may change.

• ✓Skiing in November: Karuizawa, Gransnow Okuibuki, Yokoteyama, Kagura, Geto Kogen, Grandeco, Nozawa Onsen
• ✓Open by the first week of December: the resorts above, plus Tsugaike, Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba 47, Happo-One, Marunuma Kogen, Appi Kogen, Shiga Kogen Central, Yakebitaiyama, Hoshino Nekoma Mountain (North area)
• ✓Open by mid-December: most resorts in our guide, including Naeba, Zao Onsen, Lotte Arai, and Fujiten
• ✓Open by December 20: almost every resort, including GALA Yuzawa and Hakuba Iwatake

How to read this tracker

• ✓2026–27 opening: "Not announced" until the resort confirms a date. We then show the confirmed date.
• ✓Last season (2025–26): the real opening date from last season. Dates marked "approx." were not confirmed to the exact day.
• ✓Snow can change plans. A resort may delay its opening if snow comes late.

Hakuba area

Yuzawa area

Myoko area

Shiga Kogen area

Nozawa and Karuizawa

Gunma area

Nagano (other areas) and Yamanashi

Tohoku and Fukushima

Other areas

Announcement watch: who announces first?

Some resorts publish their season plan early. Last year:

• ✓Karuizawa confirmed its November 1 opening by early October.
• ✓Hakuba Cortina and Joetsu Kokusai published season dates in late September.
• ✓Ryuoo Ski Park announced in late October.
• ✓Prince Hotel resorts (Kagura, Naeba, Karuizawa) usually publish season schedules early.

We expect the first 2026–27 announcements in late August or September.

Planning early December with kids?

Many families from Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia travel in early December. Here is our honest advice:

• ✓Safest choices: Karuizawa opens first every year because it makes its own snow. It is also easy to reach from Tokyo by shinkansen. Yokoteyama and Kagura sit very high, so they open early too.
• ✓Know the limits: in the first weeks, only a few courses are open. Snow may be thin at the bottom of the mountain. Kids parks may open later than the main courses. Check each resort page before you book.
• ✓Stay flexible: book hotels you can cancel. If snow comes late, you can change your plan.

For first-time planning help, see First-time Japan ski trips and Getting to the slopes from Tokyo.

How we track opening dates

We follow public resort data for all 56 resorts. When a resort confirms its opening date, we update this page within 24 hours. We also publish a short news article for each confirmed date. You can see last season's dates in our 2025–26 opening dates archive.

FAQ

When do resorts announce their opening dates? Most resorts announce between September and November. A few announce in late August. We update this page as each date is confirmed.

Can I ski in Japan in November? Yes, at a few resorts. Karuizawa opens around November 1 with machine-made snow. Yokoteyama, Kagura, and some Tohoku resorts open in late November if natural snow arrives.

Is early December safe for a family ski trip? It can work well if you choose the right resort. Pick resorts with machine-made snow or high elevation. Expect fewer open courses than in January. Book plans you can change.

Are these dates guaranteed? No. Opening dates depend on snow. Resorts can delay or move dates. We show the latest confirmed information and update within 24 hours of changes.