Top 5 reasons to ski Japan

Have one eye on visiting Japan to ski this winter? Jordy Heis gives his top 5 reasons to entice you to go to the land of the rising sun.

The Snow

Japan’s Power is the driest in the world, meaning the powder is light and fluffy for skiers and boarders, making for premium snow conditions. The average snowfalls are up to 14 metres and is right up there with the big mountain resorts of North America, with tree line skiing possible in off-piste areas.

Food

Hungry? The Fresh Japanese food is amazing, and every area has regional specialties, as well as the more traditional Japanese food we associate with the country such as sushi, tempura, soba noodles etc. A word of warning though, watch for ‘horse’ on the menu if you’d rather bet on the racing kind! If the local grub isn’t your thing, many ski villages also offer lots of Western and other ethnic dining options (from Mexican to Thai and everything in between).

Culture

Your experience will never be like your average North American or European destination. Here you can partake in ‘Japan Only’ experiences like a Japanese Tea Ceremony, Ride the Bullet Train, observe the fashions of the “Harajuku Girls”, and if you’re lucky, train with a Samurai. The influence of Buddhism is also clearly evident with the bronzed statues located around the country. If you have the time, a trip to Japan can be much more than just skiing.

Onsens (Thermal Hot Springs)

Most traditional Japanese guest houses will have a private onsen that is often split between the two genders, as bathing in them requires you to be naked. There is no shortage of onsens in Japan, and each one has something different to offer, with options like crystal clear water, high levels of minerals (to refresh the body), indoor, outdoor (rotenburo) and stunning views, this is the perfect way to finish up a day of skiing or boarding.

Entertainment

Want to party? Places for nightlife, to play pool, foosball, darts, sing karaoke and dance the night away are dotted all around the ski resorts. Less lively ski resorts still have traditional Japanese pubs, (Izakaya), as well as hotel lounges and bars to relax and have a beer with friends and compare the day’s best runs. If you can manage a stopover in Tokyo, you’ll see the neon lights, that make the city famous, and if you are from a Western country, it is not uncommon for you to be approached in the street and asked for a photo with the locals, and be treated like a D-grade celebrity!

Posted by Jordy Heis on December 19th, 2009 in Japan

Jordy Heis @skiresortsjapan

I’m Jordy Heis and I write insider tips and use my local resort knowledge to help you get the most out of your snow trip to Japan, specialising in The Hakuba Valley. During the day I work at Liquid Snow Tours, while at night I dream of fresh lines and blue birds.