Best Japan ski deals for the 2023/24 season (updated October 2023)

Red hot ski deals for Japan's 23/24 season, thanks to weakened yen and attractive early bird specials.

For the first time in years, we’re approaching a Japanese ski season without the need to ask questions like: “Will borders be open?” or “What kind of travel restrictions will be in place?”. Thankfully, we can finally go back to planning out our travel months in advance, which means scoping out the best deals on the market.

Travel companies and accommodation providers have once again dropped some very juicy offers to try and win your business, with plenty of deals on offer. In addition, the yen is still relatively weak against the dollar, which means more value for your hard earned coin.

Niseko Central: Early/spring season perks + Stay and Save offers

Resort: Niseko

Niseko Central, one of the resort’s long-serving accommodation providers, is currently offering complimentary rental gear for early and spring season stays (1 December – 17 December 2023 & 17 March – 7 April 2024) in a deal that includes free premium skis or snowboard plus boot rental from YamaSport.

Hirafu Woods is one of more than 200 luxury properties managed by Niseko Central

Long stay rewards are on offer throughout the entire ski season (Dec 1 – 6 Apr), ranging from a single free night for stays of seven or eight nights, and up to four free nights for stays of 14 nights and longer. Repeat guests are also entitled to an additional 5% discount.

YamaSport complimentary rental gear

in addition to its main branch at Niseko Landmark View, YamaSport operates out of both Skye Niseko and Ki Niseko (booking counter only). Guests of these hotels also have access to the above-mentioned deal, which includes complimentary rental gear for early and spring season stays (1 December – 17 December 2023 & 17 March – 7 April 2024).

Up to 50% off at Niseko Village hotels

Resort: Niseko

Three Niseko Village hotels are currently offering “First Snow” and “Alpine Delight” discounts, which reward early season stays, advanced bookings and long stays.

Kasara Niseko Village

Niseko Village’s First Snow discount is given to customers staying at least 3 nights in early winter, with Kasara offering 50% off stays between 1-14 December. Green Leaf and Hinode Hills are both offering 30% off best available rates during this period. The Alpine Delight discount is intended to reward advanced bookings and longer stays, and currently applies to bookings between 15 December and 2 March. Both Kasara and Hinode Hills require a 4 night minimum stay for a 30% discount, while Green Leaf requires a 3 night minimum stay for 20% off best available rates.

Both deals feature additional benefits including 15% off mid-range skis, boots and poles or mid-range snowboard and boots, 20% off private ski or snowboard lessons with Niseko Village Snow School and 20% off the Niseko Village Lift Pass.

Up to 40% off in Nisade’s Shoulder Sale

Resorts: Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu

Nisade is responsible for some of Hokkaido’s most luxurious ski hotels including the Vale Niseko, its sister hotel, The Vale Rusutsu, and Fenix Furano, all of which enjoy ski-in ski-out access to some of Japan’s most popular ski destinations.

Save up to 40% off in NISADE’s Shoulder Season sale

Nisade is currently running a Shoulder Season Sale with discounts of up to 40% off during early and late winter dates (1-17 December & 9 March – 26 April). A 2-3 night minimum booking is required for most properties. However, discounts on 1-night stays are available at Always Niseko, Snow Crystal, Fenix Furano and The Vale Rusutsu.

Always Niseko’s Short Stay Sale is particularly appealing, with 30% and 40% discounts on 1- and 2-night stays in shoulder season, plus further discounts – between 10% and 20% – on longer stays (3-5 days) during peak season.

Yu Kiroro Winter Early Bird Sale

Resort: Kiroro

Yu Kiroro

Currently a nominee for Japan’s best boutique ski hotel at the World Ski Awards, Yu Kiroro is a 5-star luxury condomium hotel boasting direct access to one of Japan’s snowiest resorts. The hotel, whose entrance is within 100 m of Kiroro’s Gateway Express Gondola, has yet to end its Winter Early Bird sale, which features 30% off 3+ night bookings and 20% off bookings made 60 days in advance.

Vacation Niseko Christmas and New Year Gap Stay Promotion

Resort: Niseko

Niseko is home to an impressive range of premium condominium hotels. However, thanks to the resort’s evergrowing popularity, most of these require a commitment to 5 nights during peak season.

Vacation Niseko Christmas and New Year Gap Stay Promotion

As part of its Christmas and New Year Gap Stay Promotion, Vacation Niseko has put together a collection of 3- and 4-night deals at some of Niseko’s most popular condominium hotels including Muse, Niseko Landmark View and Loft 201. These start from ￥216,000 for 3 nights (25-28 January) at Hana & Jo, pair of luxury family townhouses.

Powder Ski Japan: “Stay 7, Pay 5” at Yakebitaiyama, Shiga Kogen

Resort: Yakebitaiyama, Shiga Kogen
Book by: 15 December

Of the 18 ski resorts that make up the ski area known as Shiga Kogen, Yakebitaiyama is the largest and one of the most popular. The resort is known for its fabulous snow quality, and also has some appetizing steeper pitches to the skiers’ left of the No. 2 gondola – one of two gondolas and five lifts.

For the 23/24 season, Powder Ski Japan is offering skiers the chance to book into the Prince Hotel West Building at the base of the resort on a “stay 7 pay 5” deal. Skiers can opt for a twin share package that also includes a 3-day Yakebitaiyama lift pass and daily buffet breakfast.

The Family “Stay 7, Pay 5” package  is potentially even more attractive; it includes a family room, daily buffet breakfast, a 3-day pass for two adults and a 7-day pass for two children.

Myoko Apartments: from just ¥8606 (~US$64) per person per night in March

Resort: Akakura Kanko Ski Resort, Myoko

We’re big fans of Myoko Apartments, not least because co-owner Nathan Eden is a regular contributor for Ski Asia and a constant source of insight into the ski industry. And while we might be a little biased, the newly-renovated property has already gathered a stack of exclusively 5-star reviews to back it up –  which are full of praise for Nathan and his wife Akiko’s hospitality, Akiko’s homemade gyoza (often washed down with beer and local sake from the Gyoza Bar in the neighbouring Myoko House, their other property), or the general homeliness and comfort.

Myoko Apartments. Learn more

The property also happens to be just 800m from Myoko’s Akakura Kanko Ski Resort, home to some of the best powder powder skiing in Japan.

In addition to an already healthy March discount (15% off their peak season rate), Myoko Apartments is offering an extra 10% off for stays of three nights or more when you quote “Ski Asia” during the booking process. For a group of eight, it works out at a very reasonable ¥8606.25 (~US$64) per person per night.

Oz Snow: 10 nights in Hakuba and Madarao from AU$1,799 (~US$1,173)

Resorts: Hakuba, Madarao

In a conversation on Japan’s best powder skiing destinations, you wouldn’t be surprised to hear the names Hakuba and Madarao come up more than once. Hakuba is almost indisputably the capital of Japanese backcountry skiing – think expansive terrain and big backcountry lines – while Madarao is a smaller resort that punches way above its weight on a powder day, with bottomless snow and superb tree skiing.

Madarao Mountain Resort

A trip that encompasses both gives you the best of both worlds, and over 10 days you’ll almost guarantee yourself a few snorkel-worthy days on the slopes.

Oz Snow’s 10-night Explore Nagano Powder Pack gives you exactly that, with six nights in Hakuba, four nights in Madarao, transfers, lifts passes, and breakfast (click here for the exact inclusions). And from just AU$1,799 (~US$1,173) per person or just AU$179.90/night, there’s a whole lot of value for what would be a very special trip.

Kiroro Grand: AU$3134pp (~US$1,979) for 7 days

Resort: Kiroro

Club Med’s newest Japanese ski hotel, Kiroro Grand, is set to open on December 1 this year, following the successful launch of neighbouring Kiroro Peak last year. Unlike Kiroro Peak, which had a minimum guest age of 12, Kiroro Grand will cater to families of all ages, with the brand’s much-loved kids’ club program available for children and teens aged between 4–17.

Kiroro is a powder skier’s dream, with up 21 metres of snow per season

Guests can expect a quintessential Club Med experience, with drinking and dining, ski passes, ski lessons and daily entertainment all included in the rate. Other experiences, like a trip to the beautiful coastal town of Otaru, can be added for a fee.

A 7-day stay at the resort in April starts from just AU$3134 (~US$1,979) per person or AU$448 (~US$283) per day. Admittedly, if you want to experience Kiroro’s famous powder snow – up to 21 metres a season – then you will likely be better off visiting in January (from AU$5,739) or February (from $4,779).