Japan — For most ski resorts in Japan, the ski season has concluded. However, the season at one ski resort recently began.
On April 10th, Gassan Ski Resort opened up for the 2026 ski season. The Japanese ski resort actually doesn’t operate during the winter. Typically, they plan to be open for April, May, and June. YouTuber Healthkey TV (헬스키TV) broke down the experience in a video released last month, showing what newcomers should expect. It’s an autobubbed video, meaning that there’s an English voiceover.
Takeaways
Personally, I’ve been interested in this ski resort for a while, but I haven’t found much information about the skiing experience on websites or through Google searches. This video report is a good guide to know what the ski experience is like.
The first interesting thing about the experience is getting to the slopes. Unlike most ski resorts, this one isn’t next to the parking lots. Next to the parking lot is an overnight lodge where guests can stay out, though the nightlife seems a bit on the quiet side. Guests park and then walk a decent way to reach the true base area. At the base area, there’s a decently sized base lodge with food and drink options.
The ski area is primarily serviced by a fixed-grip double chairlift. This lift gets you most of the way up. But to reach the true summit, skiers hike up. There are lifts on the upper mountain, but they weren’t open when the video was filmed.
While Japan is known for its fluffy powder, this is more of a pronounced spring-skiing experience. While there are some differences between this and American summer skiing, the skiing part will look familiar for those who ski into the spring and summer.
Image/Video Credits: 헬스키TV, Gassan Ski Resort
