Fresh Snow Lingers On Japan’s Upper Slopes As Spring Melt Creeps In
Updated April 9, 2025: Light snow still falling on Japan’s upper slopes, with 300" at Tengendai Kogen. Gassan’s summer season kicks off Friday. Read the full report here!
- Morning freeze keeps high-altitude lines firm and fast
- Gassan set to kick off summer ski season this Friday
- Tengendai Kogen holds world’s deepest snowpack at 750cm
- Rain in the valleys, but snow still possible on northern peaks
JAPAN REPORT
As we get deeper into springtime, the thaw of lower-lying Japanese ski slopes is gathering pace, but there have still been frosts and even light snowfalls on higher slopes over the past week, so there's still fresh pow to be had if you're lucky. Subzero temperatures can also be found on the upper mountains in the first hour or so each morning. Most of Japan's best-known ski areas stay open until early May, although many are now reducing open terrain to the upper mountain. The country's Gassan summer ski area is due to start its 2025 season this Friday, so it will be interesting to see if its accumulated pre-season snow depth overtakes the world's current deepest, still Yamagata's Tengendai Kogen Ski Area (750/750cm / 300/300”).
JAPAN FORECAST
Sunshine and showers through the coming week. Daytime highs at resort bases are in the high plus teens, and overnight lows up high are just about hitting freezing or a degree or two below. Most showers will therefore be rain, except, if you get lucky, on the highest, most northerly slopes.
