The best ski resorts in Japan for experts
Looking for the steepest, most demanding ski terrain in Japan? Here are our top 7, chosen for genuinely serious terrain rather than a single showpiece run, with the map and each resort's guide.
Hakkoda
Nothing here is groomed, even the patrolled courses ski like off-piste, with unpatrolled side country reached straight off the ropeway.
Read the Hakkoda guide
Rusutsu
One of Japan's best lift-served tree-run networks, with no marked zones and no in-bounds no-go areas.
Read the Rusutsu guide
Hakuba Cortina
An unpatrolled, self-responsibility tree area with no briefing or gate needed, on the snowiest resort in Hakuba Valley.
Read the Hakuba Cortina guide
Sahoro
Ungroomed gladed courses up to a 39 degree pitch, on quiet, north-facing terrain.
Read the Sahoro guide
Kamui Ski Links
A third of the mountain left ungroomed on purpose, with pitches up to 35 degrees.
Read the Kamui Ski Links guide
Joetsu Kokusai
The Active Zone reaches a 38 degree pitch, on Japan's biggest standalone ski area.
Read the Joetsu Kokusai guide
Hakuba Happo-One
The Climber's Route, rated the best backcountry access point in Hakuba Valley, sits at the top of an 8km run.
Read the Hakuba Happo-One guide