About our information

Information & updates

The ski area information published on SnowJapan has been gradually built up since the site first launched in 1999. Every year since then, it has been manually checked and updated.

In addition to written information, all charts, visualisations, diagrams and icons featured throughout SnowJapan have been created specifically for this website. This includes lift configuration diagrams, Google Earth-based visualisations, ski town location maps, and the many data charts found throughout the site. All content is researched, assembled and maintained by people.

日本語

We use original Japanese-language official sources when reviewing and updating information. Whenever possible, we try to verify details from more than one source.

The main annual updates for the upcoming season are usually made between September and December. Most information is updated during the second half of November and the first half of December, as that is the period when many ski areas publish information for their upcoming season.

Our intention is for the information on SnowJapan to be as accurate and up to date as possible. However, there may occasionally be instances where outdated information remains or a mistake has been made. We are happy to acknowledge and correct mistakes when they are brought to our attention. If you believe you have found an error, please contact us.

It is important to note that SnowJapan is not directly involved in the operation of any ski areas. While we make every effort to keep information current, changes made by ski areas during the winter season will not immediately be reflected on SnowJapan. If we become aware of such changes, we will update the information as soon as possible.

Although SnowJapan entered a new chapter in 2026 with a completely renewed platform and more information than ever before, we do not consider the project to be "finished" — and we never expect it to be. There will always be information to update, ski areas whose status requires further research, historical details to verify, and another winter season to prepare for. Even after all these years, we are occasionally surprised to discover another small local ski area that we had not previously known about. The work continues, and SnowJapan continues to evolve.

The new site has also been designed to work across desktop, tablet and mobile screens. Some of the more detailed search and comparison tools are available only on larger screens, and some pages have been simplified for mobile view.

If you are planning to visit a ski area, we recommend checking official ski area websites for the latest operational information.

We are confident in the accuracy of the information published on SnowJapan and take great care in maintaining it. However, SnowJapan accepts no responsibility for decisions made based on information published on this website.

About ski area planned opening dates

Most ski areas in Japan have fairly predictable planned opening and closing periods and often aim to open and close at similar times each season.

However, many ski areas do not announce specific planned opening dates until the autumn months. Actual opening and closing dates will, of course, also depend on snowfall and weather conditions.

Check for previous actual season dates at ski areas around Japan here:

2025-2026 season: Visualisation | Chart
2024-2025 season: Visualisation | Chart
2023-2024 season: Visualisation | Chart
2022-2023 season: Visualisation | Chart
2021-2022 season: Visualisation | Chart

About ski area statistics

Some ski area statistics are straightforward and clearly defined. Examples include the number of ski lifts and the vertical elevation difference.

Other statistics, however, are less directly comparable because they are defined by individual ski areas rather than by an industry-wide standard. Examples include course difficulty classifications, the number of courses, and the longest course.

A course classified as intermediate at one ski area might be considered beginner level at another. Some ski areas divide a continuous top-to-bottom run into several named courses, while others may count the same kind of route as a single course. Similarly, a stated longest course may refer to one named course or to the combined length of several connected courses.

For that reason, care should be taken when directly comparing these types of statistics between different ski areas. Our data will generally reflect the statistics officially provided by ski areas.

About ski lift tickets

The lift ticket information published on SnowJapan generally represents the main ticket types available during the core winter season.

In recent years in particular, additional ticket types may also be available. Many ski areas offer discounted tickets when purchased online in advance, as well as reduced prices during early season and spring periods. Special promotions for certain groups, such as children, seniors or women, may also be available on specific days.

Season passes are often available at reduced prices if purchased before the start of the winter season.

For the latest pricing and ticket information, we recommend checking official ski area websites.

Closed ski areas

Some ski areas included in our listings may be temporarily closed or operating only part of their facilities. We will try to make that clear on the listing.

Ski areas that are no longer operating, or whose current operating status is unclear, are listed separately in our Inactive ski areas section. This includes ski areas that have recently been officially declared ‘permanently closed’, while others have an unclear status, with little or no publicly available information about their current situation.

If you are looking for a ski area that is not listed on SnowJapan, it may have permanently closed. You might find information about it on the SnowJapanHistory website, which introduces ski areas from Japan's past.

The status of some ski areas can be frustratingly difficult to establish with certainty. Sometimes, there is literally no recent information available, and we are left with more questions than answers. We will continue to keep an eye on these ski areas and update their status if new information becomes available.