LUXURY SKI HOLIDAY SPECIALISTS SINCE 1985
We combine our love for the mountains, deep knowledge of Japan and capabilities as a ski specialist to create unique and exclusive experiences for you and your party. Hosted by our hand-picked Powder Byrne ski guides, you will receive the support and attention to the little details you expect from us, allowing you to unlock the best skiing Japan has to offer.
Our Inspired Japan team know the country intimately and personally visit the properties, destinations and suppliers with whom we work to ensure the quality and consistency of service we expect. We continue to forge strong relationships with local partners, artisans and operators, many of whom play an integral role in bringing an authentic and personal touch to your experience. We are committed to supporting local businesses, promoting positive engagement with cultural and natural heritage, carefully considering the impact of our operations with a commitment to sustainable travel.
OUR RECOMMENDED RESORTS IN JAPAN
While we offer our services to any resort of your choice, we recommend a selection of exceptional resorts that align with our high standards. At Powder Byrne, we specialise in providing personalised options tailored specifically to your preferences, ensuring a truly customised experience that suits your needs perfectly.
Niseko
Japan’s largest and best-known ski resort, the quality and quantity of snow here is unparalleled – for powder. Niseko is famous for its light and abundant powder snow, night skiing, hot springs, world-class hotels and restaurants and spectacular views of the Mount Yōtei volcano. From gentle terrain to world-class tree runs and backcountry bowls, it is a skier’s paradise. For advanced skiers looking for some exceptional powder skiing alongside gorgeous views, choose a clear day and take the single-seat ‘King Lift’ to the highest lift point in Niseko, before taking the 20 minute hike to the famous Grand Hirafu Peak. With 128 vertical metres of elevation, the hike is quite strenuous, but the spectacular views from the top over the Sea of Japan, Pacific Ocean and the Mount Yōtei Volcano make it totally worthwhile.
Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen is a special resort for many reasons. Long before skiers started to flock to the snow filled bowl, the temple of Risshakuji in the heart of the old town has been welcoming visitors since the year 860. The rich sulphur waters of this town gurgle up in the most unlikely places and made Zao famous as an onsen (traditional spa) town since the middle ages. The ski resort is the largest in the Tohoku region offering a totalof 57 slopes served by three gondolas and other lifts and is renowned for its amazing powder snow. It is well connected, with different interlinked ski zones, offering slopes for all abilities from beginners to experienced skiers. Those in search of distance will not be disappointed as Zao offers a lot more than most. The Juhyogen slope is the longest intermediate slope in the resort offering a run of just over 10km from the top to resort centre. The first 2km are through the majestic ‘snow monsters’ on the highest slopes before you work your way down through a variety of terrain on your way to the finish in the village.
Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen is a world-class ski resort with a charming, old-time atmosphere. Nozawa Onsen is one of the most popular ski areas in Japan, yet it still retains a unique Japanese character thanks to its narrow, stone-lined streets, established onsen spa culture and traditional architecture. The annual Dosojin Fire Festival in mid-January is a highlight, and skiers interested in skiing history will enjoy a visit to the Japan Ski Museum. The big appeal here is the easy access to a huge choice of ‘sidecountry’ skiing which the more adventurous will enjoy discovering with our guides. It is easy to combine a trip to the famous snow monkeys of Jigokudani too, which is a popular attraction.
Hakuba
The mountains of Hakuba are part of the Northern Chu- bu-Sangaku National Park, offering spectacular alpine scenery, pristine air, and a wealth of outdoor activities make Hakuba a popular destination all year round. The skiing offers some of the steepest inclines in Japan, as well as accessible backcountry skiing, particularly around the large resort of Happo-One and Cortina, which offers exceptional powder slopes and tree skiing.
Alts Bandai
Located on the slopes of Mount Bandai, commanding spectacular views south over Lake Inawashiro. The region is famed for its smooth, dry ‘micro-fine’ powder snow which blows in from the Sea of Japan and is one of the snowiest areas in Japan. The snow is some of the driest on earth, so dry in fact, that no matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to make a snowball! Along with spectacular views of the mountain range, the stand-out aspect of these Aizu ski resorts is their quiet slopes, and compared to skiing the more popular resorts, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve arrived in your very own private ski resort. Skiers looking to blaze their own trails and find their own slice of powder paradise may well agree they have found the holy grail in Aizu.
WHEN TO GO SKIING
Ski from December to April
In line with the European ski season, you can enjoy Japanese ski resorts between December and April. We’ve assisted clients with exclusive Festive skiing solutions as well as Easter family skiing options during the longer school holidays. For clients less restricted by school holidays, we can arrange bespoke programmes throughout January, February or March at a time that suits you.
Japan’s ski resorts are renowned for their unparalleled snowfall, surpassing any other destination worldwide. Among them, the northernmost island of Hokkaido stands out as a winter wonderland, however we’re also delighted to present a range of other less-known resorts which offer quieter slopes and a truly authentic atmosphere. Not only do these resorts offer unbeatable powder skiing, they also provide exceptional opportunities for tree skiing, earning them a spot among the best in the world. The gentle slopes and terrain make the skiing accessible to enthusiasts of all skill levels.
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