With ski lifts no longer spinning and buildings falling into disrepair, abandoned ski areas lay dormant, nestled among the snow drifted peaks of Japan.
The economic boom of 1980s Japan triggered an explosion of new mountain resorts and the financial collapse that followed in 1991 decimated both the Japanese economy and the ski industry. Today hundreds of “ghost resorts” remain dormant in the hills of Japan and ripe for urban explores and backcountry skiers to roam amongst. If you go to Japan, definitely hit up the resorts that are still in operation but consider bringing along your touring gear to check out some of the abandoned ones as well.