Japan’s ski season is officially underway, and it started once again in funky tradition on the slopes beneath Mount Fuji.
Snow Park Yeti in Shizuoka Prefecture opened for the 2026-27 season on Oct. 23, marking the 28th consecutive year the resort says it has been the earliest outdoor ski area to open in Japan.
Opening day at Yeti has become known for one particularly fun tradition: skiers and snowboarders showing up in costume to celebrate the start of winter.
This year, anyone arriving in a qualifying costume before 10 a.m. receives an additional one-day lift ticket that can be used later in the season.
Ski Season Starts Early Beneath Mount Fuji
Yeti sits on the southern side of Mount Fuji, roughly two hours from central Tokyo.
The resort gets a jump on the rest of Japan by preparing snow well before most major ski destinations begin operating, allowing skiers and snowboarders to start making lift-served turns in October.
Opening day centers around Slope A, the run traditionally used for Yeti’s early-season skiing.
The resort is small compared with Japan’s famous destinations in Hokkaido and Nagano, but its October opening has made it one of the country’s most recognizable early-season traditions.
Costumes Are Part of the Celebration
Each year, riders dressed as superheroes, cartoon characters and just about everything else imaginable gather for the first turns of the season.
Yeti’s First Snow Day celebration includes a countdown before the first run, music, giveaways and free Shizuoka-style oden for the first 400 visitors.
To qualify for the costume promotion, visitors generally need at least two costume items or an outfit covering at least half of their body.
A hat by itself isn’t going to cut it.
Japan Is Skiing Again
Most of Japan’s major ski resorts are still weeks away from opening, which makes Yeti’s annual October start stand out.
Unofficial Networks covered Yeti’s opening last season, when costumed skiers and snowboarders once again helped kick off the country’s outdoor ski season.
Japan is skiing again, Mount Fuji is providing the backdrop, and some of the first turns of the season are being made by people dressed like they belong at a Halloween party.
Heads up, if you are interested in rad fully immersive Japanese ski experience this winter we highly recommend checking out Japan Ski Tours, good times guaranteed. As of now they have slots open but they will fill up fast so don’t dawdle. Get a taste of what its like skiing with Japan Ski Tours below:
