Back to grid

Top snow destinations and winter wonderlands

Back to grid
Hokkaido
Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood
9.3
Hokkaido sits close enough to Siberia that cold air masses dump some of the lightest, driest snow anywhere. Local skiers call this powder pauda for its almost weightless texture. Riders can find fresh tracks for days after a single storm passes. Steaming volcanic vents warm several outdoor hot springs across the island.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Explore historic Otaru Canal and its shops
  • 🏂 Ski or snowboard in world-famous Niseko resorts
  • 💧 Visit the spectacular Shirogane Blue Pond
Hakuba
Alpine ski valley beneath the Japan Alps
7.9
Hakuba hosted the downhill and slalom events at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. The valley holds ten separate ski areas beneath the Northern Japan Alps. Skiers can link several of these resorts using a single shared lift pass. Snow monkeys soak in hot springs not far from the base villages.
Highlights:
  • 🏟️ Visit Hakuba Olympic Ski Jumping Stadium and museum
  • ♨️ Relax in natural hot springs after outdoor adventures
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard on world-class Hakuba slopes
Niseko
Hokkaido powder snow and four linked resorts
8.2
Niseko sits downwind of the Sea of Japan, catching some of the heaviest snowfall in the country. Storms can drop meters of powder in a single week. Skiers can duck into steaming outdoor hot springs right after a powder run. The nearby volcano, Mount Yotei, watches over the valley like a smaller Fuji.
Highlights:
  • 🚵‍♀️ Explore mountain biking trails in Twin Peaks Bike Park
  • 🧗‍♂️ Take a thrilling zipline ride at Hanazono Resort
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard on world-class powder snow
Sapporo
Snow festival city with ramen and beer
7.7
Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, the earliest Winter Games ever held in Asia. The city runs a massive snow festival each February with ice sculptures towering over its streets. Skiers can reach nearby ski areas within an hour of downtown. Its subway system stays warm enough that locals commute through winter without heavy coats.
Highlights:
  • ⏰ Visit the historic Sapporo Clock Tower landmark
  • 🌳 Stroll through Odori Park, Sapporo’s central green space
  • 🌄 Enjoy panoramic city views from Mount Moiwa Observatory
Nozawa Onsen
Thirteen free public baths and a ski area
8.3
Nozawa Onsen keeps thirteen free public hot spring baths scattered throughout its village streets. Locals still tend the baths under a centuries-old rotating duty system. Skiers can soak sore legs in these baths after a day on the mountain. A fire festival held each January draws crowds from across the region.
Highlights:
  • 🔥 Experience the unique Ogama boiling hot spring kitchen
  • 🥾 Hike trails around the scenic Nozawa Onsen village
  • ♨️ Tour the 13 historic public hot spring bathhouses
Zao Onsen
Sulfur onsen, snow monsters and ski slopes
7.9
Zao Onsen is famous for its juhyo, trees so heavily coated in frozen snow they look like giant frosted monsters. Sulfur-rich hot springs feed public baths scattered through the village. Skiers can glide past the frost-covered trees under colored lights after dark. The resort has run continuously since the early 1900s.
Highlights:
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard on Zao’s scenic slopes
  • 🌋 View the stunning Okama Crater’s color-changing lake
  • ♨️ Soak in Zao’s famous acidic sulfur hot springs
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Alpine town below Germany's highest peak
8.3
Garmisch-Partenkirchen sits below the Zugspitze, Germany's tallest mountain. The town hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics under a single combined name. Skiers can ride a cable car to the summit for sweeping views into Austria. The original Olympic ski jump from that era still stands above the town today.
Highlights:
  • ⛷️ Visit the iconic Olympic Ski Jump used in winter sports
  • 🌊 Hike through the stunning Partnachklamm Gorge
  • 🏔️ Ascend Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, for breathtaking views
Feedback