Generally, snow resorts open at 8am and close at 5pm. Anything before or after this is usually classified as "Morning Skiing" or "Night Skiing". 

For some people, the best part of a ski or snowboard weekend is what you do after a day at the mountain. Snuggling up to a fire at the lodge, going out to dinner and a night on town are all popular activities – if you’re not too sore from all that skiing or snowboarding. Skiing and snowboarding in Japan offers a unique chance to get some new experiences that you can only gain in Japan. You won’t usually find the thumping nightlife like you do in resort areas in Europe or North America, and it may be difficult to finds good Italian or western restaurants - but there is often things to do to choose from with an unique Japanese flavor.

What you will find (in most places, not everywhere!) are Japanese restaurants, karaoke clubs and Japanese pubs. If you see pubs with the word ‘snack’ written on the outside, it may be a good idea to send somebody in to find out what kind of a place it is. Some are hostess bars that can be quite expensive and include a hefty table charge just for sitting down. Izakayas (Japanese pubs) are a lively and fun place to get some food and have a few drinks with friends, but they can often be smoky and loud, so if you’re looking for a quiet place, you may want to go elsewhere. For a more exciting après ski scene, one of the larger and livelier resorts areas is recommended.

Another great thing about skiing in Japan is the hot springs. Many of the resorts in Japan are located in volcanic areas and hot spring towns and hotels often have there own onsen, and if not can usually tell you where the nearest one is. Onsen are a good way to relax before trying out the après ski. Wherever you go, find some Japanese friends and enjoy!