Powder hounds will already have Japan on their radar. It’s the Hokkaido resorts in particular which are known as “powder heaven”, offering consistent and plentiful snowfall every year and spectacular backcountry skiing. But even if you stick firmly to the beginner slopes, Japan is an excellent winter sports destination. With hundreds of resorts to choose from, there’s something for every depth of pocket, skill set and style of travel.

And while Japan’s famous destinations are worth the hype, the country’s ski scene demonstrates that there’s so much more to explore away from the Golden Route. In that spirit, here are just a few of Japan’s best ski resorts, both big names and hidden gems.

Become a subscriber and, along with unlimited digital access to The

AloJapan.com