The best ski resorts in Japan for off piste
Looking for in-bounds tree runs and off-piste terrain in Japan, reached by the lifts rather than a gate into the backcountry? Here are our top 7, with the map and each resort's guide.
Hakuba Cortina
The “Tree area”, an unpatrolled, self-responsibility zone with no briefing or gate needed, unlike the marked systems some other Hakuba resorts use.
Read the Hakuba Cortina guide
Rusutsu
No marked tree zones and no in-bounds no-go areas: trees off every edge of the mountain.
Read the Rusutsu guide
Appi Kogen
A separate cat-accessed peak, Mt Nishimori, reached only by pass holders.
Read the Appi Kogen guide
Kamui Ski Links
Gated tree runs and a dedicated “Tree Run Field”, with a third of the mountain left ungroomed on purpose.
Read the Kamui Ski Links guide
Geto Kogen
Twelve marked, graded-for-ability in-bounds tree run areas, at one of the cheapest ways to ski deep snow in Japan.
Read the Geto Kogen guide
Sahoro
Ungroomed gladed courses through birch and pine, up to a 39 degree pitch.
Read the Sahoro guide
Kiroro
About five gated tree-run zones, officially the only off-piste the resort allows.
Read the Kiroro guide