Or How to Save Money on Your Coming Ski Trip to Japan
For many international avid skiers and snowboarders visiting Japan during winter, the cost of a daily lift ticket is perceived as being cheaper compared to the average price of resorts in the US, Canada, and Europe. However, with the steady increase every year in the price of ski lift tickets across popular Japanese ski resorts, more people are looking for ways to take advantage of using global ski passes like Ikon Pass, Indy Pass, or Epic Pass—without knowing that there are multi-resort ski passes available in Japan perfect for those planning a long ski trip with visits to many ski resorts.
These passes provide a cost-effective, convenient, and flexible way to access many mountains under a single purchase. In this guide, we’ll explore the available options for this season, from nationwide passes to regional offerings, helping you find the best value for your trip.
Navigating Japan’s Top Multi-Resort Pass Options
The landscape of common season tickets in Japan is diverse. Some cover the whole country, others focus on a single prefecture or operator group. Understanding which resorts are included is key to maximizing value.
We don’t cover lottery-based passes like the All Nagano Ski Resorts Season Pass, Gunma Platinum, Niigata’s Snow Heaven, Gunma’s Oze area Powder5, or the Hokkaido Wide Ski Season Pass, and we have also excluded multi-resort pasess covering Western Japan, since those resorts have shorther seasons and are not as popular among inbound skiers. Note also that both the Premium Season Ticket (Seibu Group) and the Earth Hopper system have been discontinued for 2025/26.
Nationwide passes
Mac Earth Japan Common Season Ticket
One of the broadest passes, covering 21 locations operated or allied with the Mac Earth group across Hokkaido, Niigata, Nagano, Toyama, Gifu, Shiga, Hyogo, and Hiroshima. The pass includes benefits such as liability insurance, store gift certificates, free parking, discounts at affiliated hotels, and even green-season perks like golf or gondola rides. Early bird pricing from August 1 makes it especially attractive.
Resorts include: Nayoro Piyashiri, Kandatsu Snow Resort, Kurohime Kogen Snow Park, X-JAM Takaifuji, Yomase Onsen, Sugadaira Kogen Pine Beak, Iizuna Resort, Tateyama Sanroku, Ushidake Onsen, Takasu Snow Park, Dynaland, Washigatake, White Pia Takasu, Hirugano Kogen, Hakodateyama, Chikusa Kogen, Ojiro, Hyonosen Kokusai, Kannabe Manba, Mineyama White Peak, Utopia Saioto.
Snow Resort Club
A strong competitor covering 17 resorts across Hokkaido, Iwate, Yamagata, Fukushima, Gunma, Niigata, and Nagano. Valid from October 1, 2024 to March 15, 2025, this pass also includes a coupon system for additional flexibility.
Resorts include: Hakodate Nanae, Iwate Kogen, Kuroboku Jungle Jungle, Aizu Kogen Daikura, Takatsue, Okutone Snow Park, Yuzawa Kogen, Akakura Onsen, Iizuna Resort, Ryuoo, Shirakabako Royal Hill, Kurohime Kogen, Chateraise Nobeyama, Chateraise Koumi, Tangram, Yachiho Kogen, Kurumayama Sky Park.
Snowbirds Club
Not exactly a multi-resort pass, but when you purchase an annual season pass at any of the affiliated ski resorts, you are automatically enrolled in the Snowbirds Club, obtaining a 50% discount on lift tickets at any partner resort. The pass also includes 5 free one-day lift tickets that can be used by family and friends. This network spans 22 ski resorts nationwide, with new resorts joining every season. Current affiliated resorts include: Moiwa Ski Resort, Geto Kogen Ski Resort, Lotte Arai Resort, Togari Onsen Ski Resort, Kijimadaira’s The Cupid of Romance, Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park, Blanche Takayama Ski Resort, Yachiho Kogen Ski Resort, Yabuhara Kogen Ski Resort, Tateyama Mountain Ski Resort, Fukui Izumi Ski Resort, Snow Park Yeti, Wing Hills Shiratori Resort, Meiho Ski Resort, Grand Snow Oku-Ibuki, Hachi-Hachikita Ski Resort, Daisen White Resort, Yawata Highland 191 Resort, Geihoku Kogen Osa Ski Resort, Megahira Ski Resort, Osorakan Snow Park.
Suzuki Shokai Group 6 Ski Resorts Pass
Covers six resorts including: Hakodate Nanae, Iwate Kogen, Jungle Jungle, Okutone Snow Park, Akakura Onsen, Shirakabako Royal Hill, and can be purchased only during September.
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu Season Pass
Includes Tomamu, Nekoma Mountain, plus 3 days at Tanigawadake Tenjindaira Mt. T, all three resorts under Hoshino Resorts group. It is not market as a multi-resort pass, and rather, if you purchase a Tomamu or Nekoma annual pass, automatically you get access to the other group resorts. It offers free elementary school season pass, one free rental, hot springs access, accomodation discounts, etc. Those purchasing the Tomamu pass, will get the benefits of Hokkaido Ski Season Net.
Hokkaido Passes
Diamond Dust Pass
An exclusive 7-resort pass limited to 50 buyers, covering small ski resorts around the Asahikawa area in Northern Hokkaido such as Piyashiri, Hyuga, Asahi, Wassamu Higashiyama, Horotachi, Pippu, Canmore.
Kamori Kanko “K-Winter Pass”
Covers Sapporo Teine, Rusutsu, Sahoro, Nakayama Pass. It offers a super-early bird discount when purchased from March to May, and comes with tiered options and loyalty discounts, such as discounts in rentals, additional lift tickets, free locker use, priority parking, hot sprins entrance, etc It’s a much lovel pass among Sapporo residents.
Hokkaido Powder Belt Pass
Supported by Hoshino’s resort created Hokkaido Powder Belt DMO, it includesthe ski resorts of Furano, Tomamu and Kamui Ski Links. Early bird limited to Japan residents starts around August 25th, it is limited to only the first 200 tickets, an includes Hokkaido Ski Season Net benefits. Once all are sold out, it is possible to buy a 5-day ticket which offers great value for those staying in Asahikawa.
Hokkaido Ski Season Net
Not a pass itself, but any season pass from affiliated resorts grants discounts at 23 ski resorts across Hokkaido. For example, holders of the Niseko United All Mountain season pass can present it at the ticket office at Furano Ski Resort and get a discount for one-day lift ticket.
Regional Passes (Honshu & Beyond)
Aizu Kogen 4 ski resorts season pass
Limited to the first received 100 applications, covers the small resorts of Nango Ski Resort, Takatsue Ski Resort, Daikura Ski Resort, Kita-Nikko Takahata Ski Resort around the Aizu Kogen area in Fukushima prefecture.
Smile Resort Common Season Pass
A great value pass with an extensive coverage across different regions and popular ski resorts. Includes the resorts of Yuzawa Nakazato, Maiko, Muica, Ninox, Cupid Valley directly operated by Smile Resort group, offering free parking and hot springs access, but also provides lift tickets discounts at the associated resorts of GALA Yuzawa, Joetsu Kokusai, Iwappara, Charmant Hiuchi, Ryuoo, Ikenotaira, Lotte Arai, Okutadami Maruyama, Suginohara, Akakura Onsen, Akakura Kanko, SAM Hakusan, Tangram, Tainai, Mikawa, Murakami Budou, Nekoma.
Naeba, Kagura, Muikamachi Hakkaisan Ski Season Pass
While the Nation-wide Prince Hotel ski pass has been discontinued from 2025-2026 season, Seibu’s group season pass for the Prince Snow Resorts of the Chuetsu region continues. Covering the ski resorts of Naeba, Kagura, and Hakkaisan offers free parking, accomodation discounts, and access to the ropeways during spring and autumn.
Mt. Myoko All Mountain Pass
The only pass that provides unlimited access to all four main Myoko resorts: Akakura Onsen, Akakura Kanko, Suginohara, and Ikenotaira—making it the top choice for those planning to stay primarily in the Myoko area. For those staying in the region for a short time but that can take advantage of Japan’s largest skiable area, the Mt. Myoko Three Day pass includes three days lift access (which can be non-consecutive) at the four main Mt. Myoko resorts of Akakura Onsen, Akakura Kanko, Suginohara, and Ikenotaira, as well as nearby Lotte Arai and Madarao-Tangram. It also includes free use of the shuttle buses connecting all these resorts, making it an excellent choice for those wanting to explore without their own transportation.
NAGANO6 Powder Dream Pass
Provides access to the northern nagano ski resorts of Nozawa Onsen, Madarao, Tangram, Togakushi, Shigakogen, Ryuoo. This is perhaps the best-value pass in Japan, offering access to major ski areas like Shigakogen and Nozawa, excellent powder at Madarao-Tangram, and a long usable period from late November to early May. Additional perks include discounts on rentals, lessons, and food across the resorts, as well as free access to selected summer lifts. Previously, the application process required filling out a tedious form to be sent by post or purchasing directly at resort ticket counters. Starting from the 2025–2026 season, however, the pass can now be purchased seamlessly online in both English and Japanese, with early-bird discounts introduced for the first time.
Mt.3 Pass
First introduced for the 2024-2025 season, from this season Tangram Ski Circus has been incorporated to provide access to the ski resorts of Madarao-Tangram, Shigakogen’s Yakebitaiyama and Okushiga. It provides discount on rentals, night skiing access, and discounted lift tickets at the affiliated resorts of Getokogen, Nozawa Onsen, Kijimadaira’s The Cupid of Romance, Togari Onsen, Ninja Snow Highland and Ryuo Ski park.
Conclusion
The 2025/26 season brings more opportunities than ever to experience Japan’s slopes affordably. From nationwide passes like Mac Earth to local gems such as the NAGANO6 Powder Dream, there’s a pass to match almost every region and style of skiing. Securing early bird deals and arranging accommodation well in advance are key to making the most of these multi-resort passes.
At La Colina Outdoor, we help you cut through the complexity and focus on what really matters—skiing. Whether it’s choosing the pass or resort that best fits your needs, finding the right accommodation, or providing ski concierge services so you can seamlessly explore a new resort each day, we ensure your ski trip is smooth, stress-free, and tailored to you.