Ski Resort News

Kagura opened for the 2025-2026 season on 22 November 2025, earlier than recent years. The high Kagura and Mitsumata areas run until 17 May 2026.

Shiga Kogen Yokoteyama & Shibutoge, the highest ski area in Japan at 2,307 metres, opened on 20 November 2025. It runs one of the longest seasons, into late spring.

At Karuizawa, lift tickets are free for children up to elementary-school age, through the Prince Snow Resorts Kids Free campaign. The resort also has a kids park and a kids school.

Through the NSD Kids Program, children can ski at 14 group resorts, including Tsugaike, for one small fee. The fee was 1,800 yen until 31 January 2026, then 3,500 yen.

For 2025-2026, Tsugaike added 11 more snow machines for its Loop 4000 area, about 4,000 metres long. This helps the resort open with reliable snow earlier in the season.

Joetsu Kokusai opened for the 2025-2026 season in December 2025. The huge, family-friendly resort has four zones and a long run of up to 6,000 metres.

Hakuba Cortina opened for the 2025-2026 season on 13 December 2025. It is known for 100% natural powder snow and shares a 28-course common ticket with Hakuba Norikura.

Hakuba Happo-One opened sales for 2025-2026 season passes. Early-bird prices ran until 15 October 2025. The child pass covers students up to high school age.

Lotte Arai Resort opened sales for 2025-2026 early-bird season passes and lift tickets in June 2025, at lower prices than during the winter.