Best Spring Ski Resorts in Japan (March–April)
Still winter where it counts
Late season isn’t a consolation prize. March still throws proper refills, and April gifts cold mornings, chalky north faces, and surprise top-ups — especially in Hokkaidō and far-north Tōhoku. Crowds thin. The vibe chills. You get room to hunt.
For planning, track record beats altitude. Resorts that consistently run well into April are a safer bet than chasing peak height alone. Latitude helps — Hokkaidō stays colder — but Honshū’s spring specialists keep quality high with elevation, aspect, and grooming. Aim for high lifts, north and north-east aspects, and networks that let you chase the best surface all day.
We’ve weighted late-season reliability and snow quality over hype. You’ll see Hokkaidō up top, with Honshū’s proven spring performers right behind. Pack for changeable weather, ride shade early, soak often, and pounce when a cold front rolls through.
At a glance
- Colder, later, safer: Hokkaidō headliners — Kiroro, Furano, Asahidake, Sapporo Kokusai.
- Honshū spring specialists: Shiga Kogen, Kagura, Hakuba 47/ Hakuba Goryu, Appi Kogen, Geto Kogen.
- Backcountry-first (guided): Asahidake, Hakkoda, Mt. T (alt pick), plus spring routes from Hakuba.
- Easy weekends: Kagura, Sapporo Kokusai, 47/Goryu — quick transport, lots of turns.
- Wildcard extra: Gassan opens in April — true spring skiing.
OnsenFreeride / Trees (guided)Village hang-outsStorm MagnetBackcountry (guided)Stormy microclimate, snow holds into April
Kiroro hangs onto winter longer than most. Maritime lows still clip the range in March, and north-facing bowls keep snow dry late into the day. Start on the main ridge to feel wind direction, then read the mountain: ribs for drifted chalk, trees for settled powder, gullies for fresh wind-load. Visibility swings fast — that’s a feature, not a bug — and it keeps surfaces refreshed between sunny breaks. With a guide, sidecountry laps stay in play deep into spring; in-bounds trees scratch the itch if weather’s moody. Base is quiet, functional, and close — ride first chairs, soak, early dinner, repeat. When you want late-season dependability without fuss, Kiroro is the smart call.
Typical closing window: early May (around Golden Week).610mVertical drop
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English ski schoolOnsenTerrain parkNight skiingVillage hang-outsCold mornings, velvet afternoons, easy nights
Furano transitions gracefully from winter to spring. March often rides like mid-season up high — cold mornings, grippy chalk, and timely refreshes — while April becomes a game of aspect and timing. Work shade off the top early, then move to sunnier faces as the surface turns to velvet. Kitanomine’s trees hold quality; the Furano zone is for long, fast grooming sprints and park laps when the snow sets. Evenings are easy: ramen alleys, relaxed bars, family-friendly dining. If your crew spans abilities, Furano gives everyone a lane while still delivering late-season quality where it counts.
Typical closing window: early May (Golden Week).964mVertical drop
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OnsenFreeride / Trees (guided)Storm MagnetRemoteBackcountry (guided)Guided volcanic alpine with wintery windows
Badges: Backcountry (guided) · Remote · Storm Magnet · Onsen · Freeride/trees (guided)
A ropeway into a volcanic alpine — that’s Asahidake. March brings frequent resets; April deals bluebird windows with cold snow cached in shaded gullies and forest ribs. Expect touring or short hikes to stitch the best fall-lines. Terrain is natural and serious: pillows, rollovers, big faces when clouds lift. Go guided, read the weather, and travel with proper kit. Evenings in the onsen village reset legs for early starts. For advanced riders who prefer quality over crowds, Asahidake delivers spring days that feel like you stole another week of winter.
Typical closing window: early May; ropeway maintenance usually follows mid-May.500mVertical drop
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OnsenTrain-to-liftsTerrain parkNight skiingVillage hang-outsCity-close laps with reliable April surface
Close to the city, big on late-season consistency. Kokusai’s orientation and storm path keep the surface lively in March and surprisingly good into April. It’s not the steepest hill in Hokkaidō, but it’s efficient — wide, honest fall-lines and quick laps that make sense for weekend missions. Mix groomer speed with side pockets off the main routes when north-westerlies load the edges. Easy logistics mean more riding and less admin: stay in Sapporo, ride hard, soak, supper — repeat. When you need a dependable spring session without big transfers, this is your go-to.
Typical closing window: early May (often around May 6).470mVertical drop
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OnsenFreeride / Trees (guided)Storm MagnetRemoteBackcountry (guided)Northern beech mazes, late-season wild feel
Hakkoda is late-season Japan at its most atmospheric. A ropeway into endless beech and birch, with routes that feel wild when visibility plays nice. March serves real powder; April blends cold pockets in the trees with smooth chalk on open faces. Go guided — the terrain is complex, storm cycles are quick, and that’s exactly why the lines stay special. Evenings are pure Tōhoku: quiet inns, serious hot springs, early starts. If your crew wants a spring destination that still feels deeply winter on the right day, Hakkoda is the call.
Typical closing window: mid-May.1100mVertical drop
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OnsenNight skiingFreeride / Trees (guided)Storm MagnetRemoteGondola-fed trees that keep paying
Geto doesn’t clock off when the calendar flips. Two gondolas feed broad fall-lines and designated trees that keep paying on north-west flows. Storm days? Duck into the glades and let the spacing do the visibility work. Bluebird? Chase drifted edges, then rack groomer miles while it sets. Lifts are efficient, regroup points obvious, and the on-mountain rhythm makes it easy for groups to split and sync. Base nearby for simple food, early nights, and first lifts. Late-season powder per hour stays high here.
Typical closing window: early May (often around May 6).430mVertical drop
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OnsenTrain-to-liftsTerrain parkNight skiingVillage hang-outsHigh plateau mileage, cold-facing lines
Appi is a late-season endurance play. High, cold plateau. North-facing layout. Groomers that ride fast and clean when the mercury dips overnight. After a March refresh, edges of the runs and between-stand trees hold soft snow well into the morning; when it sets, the piste miles keep everyone smiling. Night sessions add extra hours when surfaces tighten after sunset. Stay slopeside for convenience or down in Hachimantai/Morioka for more izakaya choice. Mixed-ability groups thrive here: confidence steps for newer riders, speed for the chargers, and enough tree texture to keep it interesting.
Typical closing window: early May.828mVertical drop
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OnsenTrain-to-liftsTerrain parkNight skiingVillage hang-outsHigh, connected network to chase quality
A high-elevation web of connected areas that rewards roaming. When late storms flirt with Nagano, Shiga’s altitude and aspect keep snow chalky for days. Use the network to follow quality: Yakebitaiyama and Okushiga for cleaner snow, Ichinose for easy-lap cruising, steeper faces when the light improves. If wind scuffs one zone, slide to another. Base down in Yudanaka/Shibu for classic onsen-town evenings and quick buses. You won’t run out of routes in a weekend — or a week.
Typical closing window: early May (spring pass often through May 6).980mVertical drop
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OnsenTrain-to-liftsFreeride / Trees (guided)Storm MagnetBackcountry (guided)Honshū spring stronghold with long tail
Kagura is Honshū’s spring stronghold. Elevation, aspect, and smart grooming keep snow quality higher and longer than neighbours. Work Mitsumata early, then push deeper as visibility settles. Tree bands between pistes hide cold pockets; traverses unlock stashes without heroic effort. On a reset, you’ll lap short, playful pitches; on bluebird, link long descents across the zones. With a guide, spring routes over the back can be all-time. Base in Echigo-Yuzawa for frictionless logistics — fast trains, easy rentals, many onsens — and keep an eye on wind shifts for bonus reloads.
Typical closing window: mid to late May.1225mVertical drop
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OnsenTerrain parkNight skiingVillage hang-outsBackcountry (guided)North-aspect bowls, proper village nights
Timing is everything in Hakuba, and 47/Goryu rewards the patient. North aspects up high hang onto quality; when a late front drops in, you can still score cold turns from the ridge into the upper bowls. Between systems, groomers are fast and the park crew keeps things dialled, so you stack mileage while you wait. With a certified guide, spring backcountry windows open across the range — but you can stay in-bounds and still have big days. Evenings deliver proper village energy: onsen, izakaya, bakeries — the works.
Typical closing window: early May (around May 6).800mVertical drop
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11GassanOnsenFreeride / Trees (guided)Storm MagnetRemoteBackcountry (guided)Spring-only high plateau, opens in April
The spring unicorn. Gassan opens in April and can run into early summer in big years. Think high plateau, T-bars, hikes, and a true spring-ski culture. On cold snaps you’ll steal winter-like turns; most days you’re blending smooth corn with wind-drifted chalk in shaded lines. It’s a different rhythm — start slow while the surface softens, then hunt aspect for the best feel underfoot. Go with a guide if you want to push beyond the obvious lines. Logistics are simple but remote: stay nearby, charge hard, soak long, smile often. If you love spring for its own personality, Gassan is a must-tick.
Typical season: opens in April and runs to late June or early July, snow-dependent.435mVertical drop
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