Unveiling Japan's Top Ski Resorts: Rankings and Real User Feedback

Japan's Top Ski Resorts Rankings for 2025-2026

In recent developments from the Japan Food and Beverage Foreign Employment Association, the results of a survey concerning ski resort usage during the upcoming 2025-2026 winter season have been unveiled. This year, they surveyed users across six themes: recommended spots for female skiers, culinary excellence at resorts, places where you’ll be satisfied even without skiing, exceptional staff service, beginner-friendly environments, and hidden gems. They collected data segmented by five regions: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, and Western Japan.

The rankings compiled from these surveys provide valuable insights for those planning their trips for the 2026-2027 winter season. Below are the detailed findings.

Survey Overview

- Data Collection Period: February 27, 2026, to May 31, 2026
- Conducted By: In-house survey by SURF&SNOW
- Participants: Users aged 10 to 60 who utilized ski resorts during the 2025-2026 season
- Method: Web-based questionnaire on the SURF&SNOW site

Rankings Highlights

The rankings were categorized into six major themes, offering a comprehensive look at the ski resorts favored by users this season.

1. Top Recommendations for Female Skiers

For many female skiers and snowboarders, comfort while enjoying the slopes is paramount. Modern ski resorts are paying particular attention to amenities like clean restrooms, exclusive female discounts, and a welcoming atmosphere. The following resorts received top marks for creating a female-friendly environment:

- Hokkaido Region:

1. Rusutsu Resort
2. Nayoro Piyashiri Ski Resort
3. Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort
4. Hoshino Resort Tomamu Ski Resort
5. Furano Ski Resort

- Tohoku Region:

1. Hoshino Resort Nekoma Mountain
2. EN RESORT Grandeco Snow Resort
3. Appi Kogen Ski Resort
4. Zao Onsen Ski Resort
5. Aizu Takayama Nango Ski Resort