Japan has long been a destination for travel hungry skiers and snowboarders looking to experience the legendary “JAPOW” snow conditions and vibrant culture of the incredible country but the ski resorts that are currently operational are only small swath of what was available decades ago.
Japan had an economic boom in the 1980s which triggered an explosion in newly constructed ski resorts but it all came crashing down in 1991 economic collapse which decimated widespread ski resort expansion.
Today there are literally hundreds of “ghost resorts” laying dormant in the hills of Japan which are ripe for backcountry skiers to explore. If you have your sights set on a ski trip to Japan next year, definitely the ample lift serviced skiing but also consider bringing your touring gear to check out some of these alpine time capsules.
