Spring skiing in Japan

While the bulk of international skiers and snowboarders visit during January and February, March is often a great month to chase powder without the crowds. It offers excellent skiing conditions with better weather, fewer people, and reasonable prices.

In April, most ski resorts close—not due to a lack of snow, but because it becomes unprofitable to keep the lifts running or challenging to find staff. Many ski lift operators, who are farmers during the rest of the year, need to start preparing for rice planting in the lower valleys. Additionally, university students working as seasonal staff return to classes as the new academic term begins in early April.

However, some ski resorts actually begin their season in April, such as Nakayama Toge, Okutadami Maruyama, and Gassan.

We have compiled a list of ski resorts that remain open through April and into the beginning of Golden Week (the first week of May). While backcountry skiing is still possible beyond Golden Week in places like Tateyama, Chōkai, Fuji, Kiso, and Gassan, this list focuses only on lift-accessed skiing.

The 2024/2025 season saw excellent snowfall, leading several ski resorts—originally scheduled to close at the end of March—to extend operations into early April, including our local Madarao Tangram Resort. For this list, we only include resorts that will stay open beyond the first week of April.

*Please note that closing dates may change based on snow conditions and resort operations. Check the official websites for the latest updates

Hokkaido

Daisetsuzan Kurodake Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,520 m / Base 1,300 m

Furano Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation top: 1,074 m

Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,100 m / Base 630 m

Sapporo Teine

Scheduled closing date: May 6, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,023 m

Niseko

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1308m / Base 255m

Kiroro Snow World

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,180m

Nakayama Toge Ski Resort

Opening date: April 1st, 2025
Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 941m / Base 811m

Aomori

Hakkoda

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025 (For the lifts at the base. Ropeway is open all year round)
Elevation: Top 1320m / Base 667m

Akita

Ani Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: End of April 2025 (weekends only)
Elevation: Top 1,200 m

Akita Hachimantai Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,200 m / Base: 980 m

Iwate

Geto Kogen

Scheduled closing date: End of April 2025
Elevation: Top 1,077 / Base 640m

Appi Kogen

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,328 m / Base 620 m

Yamagata

Zao Onsen Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,661 m / Base 780 m

Yunodai Ski Resort

Planned closing date: May 6th, 2025 (weekends only)

Tengendai

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,820 m / Base 1,350m

Gassan Ski Resort

Opening date: April 11th, 2025
Scheduled closing date: Until the snow melts (July?)
Elevation: Top 1,600 m / Base 700m

Fukushima

EN RESORT Grandeco Snow Resort

Scheduled closing date: April 20th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,590 m / Base: 1,010 m

Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,337 m / Base 1,026 m

Tochigi

Hunter Mountain

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,638m / Base 1,138m

Gunma Prefecture

Kawaba Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: Mid April 2025
Elevation: Top 1,870 m

Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 2,000 m / Base 1,400m

Tambara Ski Park

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,550 m / Base 1,250 m

Niigata

Kandatsu Snow Resort

Scheduled closing date: April 13th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,000 m / Base 460 m

Okutadami Maruyama Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025 (Opens from late March)
Elevation: Top: 1,242 m / Base: 746m

Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,181 m / Base 800m

Charmant Hiuchi Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 5th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,009 m / Base 501 m

Nagano

Takamine Mountain Park

Scheduled closing date: April 20th, 2025
Elevation: Top 2,050 m / Base 1,880m

Sugadaira Snow Resort

Scheduled closing date: April 20th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,620m / Base 1,250m

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,650 m / Base 565 m

Shiga Kogen (Central, Yakebitaiyama, Okushiga, Kumanoyu)

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 2,000 m / Base 1,500 m (Around)

Shiga Kogen Yokoteyama

Scheduled closing date: Mid to late May, 2025
Elevation: Top 2,307 m / Base 1,705 m

Tsugaike Mountain Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,704 m / Base 800 m

Hakuba Happo one Ski Resort

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,830 m / Base 760 m

Hakuba 47 Goryu

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,676m / Base 820m

Gifu

Dynaland / Takasu Snow Park

Scheduled closing date: May 6th, 2025
Elevation: Top 1,550 m / Base 984m

If you’re considering a late-season ski trip, trust La Colina Outdoor to plan it for you. We’ll recommend the best spots for optimal snow conditions with minimal slush and take care of all the details, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Enjoy skiing while also taking in the beauty of cherry blossoms!