Oh, how soon we forget. When my brother recently informed me he was planning to spend a week snowboarding in Japan I thought, “Japan?” I’m sure he knew exactly what I was thinking because he broke the silence with, “Hello… Nagano.” Of course… Nagano.
Those of you with better memories probably don’t need to be reminded that Nagano, Japan hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. And, while they may not be as well known as the Rockies or the Alps, Japan’s powdery slopes are magnets for winter sports enthusiasts just the same.
Japanese mountain villages like Niseko are becoming increasingly popular among local and international skiers looking for a pure powder experience. (The area is home to3,924-foot Mount An’nupuri.) In fact, Japan ranks at the top of Asia’s list in terms of skiing. For that reason Japan has twice played host to the Winter Olympics and now boasts some 620 ski resorts. Granted, it may lack the towering peaks of Europe or North America -Mount Fuji is the country’s tallest mountain at only 12,385-feet – Japan has plenty of quality snow.
That’s what got my brother to buy a ticket to the “Land of the Rising Sun.” He and his three buddies are looking to cut into the deep, dry powder (the area averages about 45 feet a year). What’s more, the snow usually lasts well into May.
My brother will travel from his home in Hawaii to Niseko, which is located on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido (it sits at the same latitude as Siberia). It’s an area that is routinely exposed to sub-Arctic winds that whip across the Sea of Japan—-hence, the tremendous amount of snow.
My brother happens to speak Japanese, however I learned that in order to attract American tourists many ski resorts in Japan have adopted English as a second language. The town’s restaurants offer English menus and bus schedules, while the ski resorts employ English-speaking instructors and wait staff. Another plus for American travelers on a budget—skiing in Japan is affordable. An adult one-day ski pass to Mount An’nupuri’s 61 runs, 38 lifts and 29 miles of groomed slopes costs $42. Compare that to a one-day ski pass at Aspen Snowmass, which retails for about $82.
Japanese ski resorts also cater to families by offering day care facilities where parents can drop their children off while they ski. In addition, they also provide ski camps for young skiers just learning the ropes.
I’m curious to see how well my brother will fare on Japan’s mountains.
Have you ever taken a winter ski trip to Japan?
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