Japan

Japan’s mountains offer a ski experience like nowhere else on Earth—where ancient culture meets the deepest powder imaginable. The northern island of Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps are famed for consistent storms that blanket the terrain in meters of light, dry snow. Picture long tree runs through silent birch forests, open bowls filled with untouched powder, and endless opportunities for fresh tracks day after day.

The prime season runs from December through February, when storms roll in off the Sea of Japan and deliver their gifts almost daily. This is the land of ‘Japow’—bottomless, feather-light turns that skiers dream about. Off the mountain, Japan’s warmth and hospitality shine. Traditional ryokan inns welcome you with tatami rooms and steaming hot springs, perfect for restoring tired legs. Meals are as memorable as the skiing itself: steaming bowls of ramen, fresh sushi, hot-pots, and sake shared with new friends.