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16 Best Ski Resorts in Eastern Hokkaido (2025-2026): Ski with Dynamic Views!
In the Eastern Hokkaido (Doto) area, many ski resorts are built amidst rich nature, offering panoramic views of the sea, lakes, and more from the mountain tops. You can ski or snowboard with views of drift ice and snow-covered lakes below, enjoying not just the winter sports but also the spectacular scenery. Here, we introduce ski resorts where you can fully appreciate these dynamic, nature-filled landscapes!
- Akankohan National Ski Area UTARA (Kushiro City)
- Abashiri Lake View Ski Area (Abashiri City)
- Monbetsu Oyama Ski Area (Monbetsu City)
- Engaru Rock Valley Ski Area (Engaru Town)
- Unabetsu Ski Area (Shari Town)
- Nukabira Gensenkyo Ski Area (Kamishihoro Town)
- Sakuragaoka Ski Area (Takinoue Town)
- Okoppe Town Ski Area (Okoppe Town)
- Churui Hakugindai Ski Area (Makubetsu Town)
- Akenogaoka Ski Area (Makubetsu Town)
- Kunneppu Town Ski Area (Kunneppu Town)
- Gokayama Ski Area (Yubetsu Town)
- Lily Yama Ski Area (Bihoro Town)
- Saroma Town Ski Area (Saroma Town)
- Midori Ski Area / Midori Ski Area Snow Park (Kiyosato Town)
- Shibetsu Kanayama Ski Area (Shibetsu Town)
1. Akankohan National Ski Area UTARA (Kushiro City)
A ski resort where you can enjoy skiing while gazing at Mount Oakan and Lake Akan. The slopes, boasting excellent snow quality, feature two courses: one for beginners/intermediates and one for advanced skiers. The snow park, with its diverse features, is especially popular among snowboarders. The kids' park allows families with young children to enjoy sledding and playing in the snow, making the resort bustling with everyone from leisure visitors to competitive athletes every year.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Dec. 25, 2025 (Thu) – April 2026 (planned), 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass: High school students & older: 4,000 yen / Ages 60 & over: 3,000 yen / Junior high students & younger: 2,000 yen
■Location: 4-4 Shurikomabetsu, Akan-cho, Kushiro City
Click here for details and map for Akankohan National Ski Area UTARA (Kushiro City)
2. Abashiri Lake View Ski Area (Abashiri City)
A ski resort where you can enjoy powder snow and scenery unique to the Sea of Okhotsk. Six of the seven courses are open to snowboarders, so they can enjoy their time without worry. There's also a sledding course for small children, making it perfect for families. On clear days, you might even see the Shiretoko Mountain Range from the summit.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Late December 2025 – Late March 2026
Mon–Fri 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM / Sat 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM / Sun, Holidays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
*Opening date is undecided due to lack of snow. Please check the official website for the latest status (as of Dec. 28).
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass: Adults 2,940 yen / Junior high students & younger 1,680 yen
■Location: 28-3 Yobito, Abashiri City
Click here for details and map for Abashiri Lake View Ski Area (Abashiri City)
3. Monbetsu Oyama Ski Area (Monbetsu City)
A ski resort with a panoramic view of the Sea of Okhotsk from the slopes. Besides being able to ski while watching the drift ice approach the coast, its convenient location near the city center and right next to a national highway is another major draw. It is well-equipped with a hut that serves as a cafeteria and rest area, as well as a two-seater pair lift, ensuring a comfortable stay.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Jan. 6, 2026 (Tue) – Late March
Jan. 6 (Tue) – Jan. 12 (Mon) 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM / From Jan. 13 (Tue) 9:00 AM – 8:45 PM
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass: Adults 2,700 yen / Children 1,700 yen
■Location: 4-25-4 Oyama-cho, Monbetsu City
Click here for details and map for Monbetsu Oyama Ski Area (Monbetsu City)
4. Engaru Rock Valley Ski Area (Engaru Town)
A ski resort that satisfies everyone from beginners and families to advanced skiers with its diverse courses. It features a total of six courses, including the Champion Course with a maximum gradient of 33 degrees, a course over 1,000 meters long for dynamic skiing, and a family slope for beginners and families, as well as a bobsledding area. Ample lighting is installed, allowing for night skiing from the summit.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Dec. 20, 2025 (Sat) – Early April 2026 (planned), 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
*Hours vary depending on the period and day of the week.
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass: General 3,200 yen / High school students & younger 2,000 yen
■Location: 150 Nogami, Engaru-cho, Monbetsu-gun
Click here for details and map for Engaru Rock Valley Ski Area (Engaru Town)
5. Unabetsu Ski Area (Shari Town)
Unabetsu Ski Area is where you can enjoy winter sports amidst a dynamic view. The blue Sea of Okhotsk stretching below turns into a white field of drift ice in winter. You can fully enjoy a winter day on the ski slopes, which are equipped with a pair lift and night skiing facilities.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Early January – Mid-March 2026 (planned)
Lift Operation Day Session: Tue–Sun 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM / Night Session: Tue–Fri 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM *No night session on Sat, Sun, Holidays
■Closed: Mondays
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass (Reference: 2024-2025 season): Adults 3,200 yen / Elementary school students 1,900 yen
■Location: 110 Minehama, Shari-cho, Shari-gun
Click here for details and map for Unabetsu Ski Area (Shari Town)
6. Nukabira Gensenkyo Ski Area (Kamishihoro Town)
Located in Nukabira Gensenkyo within Daisetsuzan National Park, this ski resort allows you to fully enjoy the grand nature of Eastern Hokkaido, including the mountains of Higashi-Taisetsu, Lake Nukabira, and Mount Meakan visible on clear days. Among its many courses, the 4.3 km long forest trail that winds through Sakhalin fir and Yezo spruce trees is particularly popular. Blessed with magnificent scenery and high-quality snow, it offers courses that will satisfy everyone from beginners to advanced skiers.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: From Dec. 30, 2025 (Tue) (planned), 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass: Adults 4,500 yen / Seniors 4,000 yen / Junior high students 3,000 yen / Elementary school students 2,000 yen
■Location: 75 Nukabira Gensenkyo, Kamishihoro-cho
Click here for details and map for Nukabira Gensenkyo Ski Area (Kamishihoro Town)
7. Sakuragaoka Ski Area (Takinoue Town)
This ski resort has good snow quality on its northwest-facing slope and offers four courses for everyone from advanced to beginner skiers. A cross-country ski course is also available at the base, and it is equipped with lifts and night skiing facilities. Located in the center of the Nigorigawa district, it is also known as a famous spot for cherry blossoms in the spring.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Dec. 27, 2025 (Sat) – Late March 2026 (planned), 9:30 AM – 8:45 PM (until 5:00 PM on Sundays only)
*Shorter hours on weekdays in March.
■Closed: Dec. 31 – Jan. 1, Mondays (except during the winter break of local elementary and junior high schools)
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass: Adults 1,500 yen / Ages 18 & under 750 yen
■Location: Nigorigawa Chuo, Takinoue-cho
Click here for details and map for Sakuragaoka Ski Area (Takinoue Town)
8. Okoppe Town Ski Area (Okoppe Town)
A ski resort where you can see the drift ice of the Sea of Okhotsk from the summit. The course is relatively short at about 400 meters, but the spacious slope is suitable for beginners and intermediates, making it a safe and enjoyable place for family skiers. Snowboarding is allowed on all courses, making it ideal for beginner snowboarders to practice.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Open: Typically late December to mid-March
*Lift operation hours vary depending on the period and day of the week.
*Opening postponed due to lack of snow. Please check the official website for the latest status (as of Dec. 28).
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass (Reference: 2024-2025 season): Adults 1,570 yen / Junior high students & younger 1,050 yen
■Location: 38-2 Hokko, Okoppe-cho, Monbetsu-gun
Click here for details and map for Okoppe Town Ski Area (Okoppe Town)
9. Churui Hakugindai Ski Area (Makubetsu Town)
This is the only ski slope in the Southern Tokachi region. It's a family-friendly slope where you can enjoy not only skiing and snowboarding but also sledding. It is fully equipped with a pair lift, night skiing lights, and a lodge for resting when you're tired from playing, allowing you to have fun all day long.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Dec. 20, 2025 (Sat) – Mar. 15, 2026 (Sun) (planned), 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
*In March, night skiing (5:00 PM–9:00 PM) is available, excluding weekends.
*Opening postponed due to lack of snow. Please check the official website for the latest status (as of Dec. 28).
■Closed: Dec. 31, Jan. 1
■Price: 5-Hour Lift Pass: Adults 1,600 yen / Ages 60 & over, Junior high students & younger 900 yen
■Location: 415 Hakugin-cho, Churui, Makubetsu-cho
Click here for details and map for Churui Hakugindai Ski Area (Makubetsu Town)
10. Akenogaoka Ski Area (Makubetsu Town)
A town-operated ski area using the slopes of Akenogaoka Park, well-equipped with night lighting, a pair lift, and a rest lodge. There is also a dedicated sledding course, making it a place where everyone from small children to advanced skiers can have fun.
【2025-2026 Season】*Opening postponed due to lack of snow.
■Hours: Dec. 20, 2025 (Sat) – Mar. 15, 2026 (Sun) (planned)
Weekdays 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM / Sat, Sun, Holidays, Winter Break Weekdays 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
*Opening postponed due to lack of snow. Please check the official website for the latest status (as of Dec. 28).
■Closed: Dec. 31, Jan. 1
■Price: Half-Day Lift Pass (4 hours): Adults 1,400 yen / Ages 60 & over, Junior high students & younger 800 yen
■Location: 496-18 Akeno, Makubetsu-cho
Click here for details and map for Akenogaoka Ski Area (Makubetsu Town)
11. Kunneppu Town Ski Area (Kunneppu Town)
The recreation park in Kunneppu Town opens as a ski area in winter. The slope area is 26,000 square meters and is popular with many people from both inside and outside the town. It's free to use, and there's also a sledding course, so parents and children can have fun together.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Dec. 27, 2025 (Sat) – Late February 2026 (planned)
Mon–Fri 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM / Sat 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM / Sun, Holidays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
*Opening postponed due to lack of snow. Please check the official website for the latest status (as of Dec. 28).
■Closed: Dec. 31 – Jan. 3
■Price: Free
■Location: Inside Recreation Park, Kyosei, Kunneppu-cho, Tokoro-gun
Click here for details and map for Kunneppu Town Ski Area (Kunneppu Town)
12. Gokayama Ski Area (Yubetsu Town)
A family-friendly slope with a panoramic view of the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk and Lake Saroma. It features four varied courses that can be enjoyed by a wide range of skiers, from beginners to advanced, including a course with a total length of one kilometer. Snowboarding is allowed on all courses, and a practice course for cross-country skiing is also available.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: January – Mar. 20, 2026 (Fri) (planned), 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (*Night skiing from 4:00 PM)
*Opening date is undecided due to lack of snow. Please check the official website for the latest status (as of Dec. 28).
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass (Reference: 2024-2025 season): High school students & older 1,500 yen / Junior high students & younger 750 yen
■Location: 100 Kitaheimura-niku, Yubetsu-cho, Monbetsu-gun
Click here for details and map for Gokayama Ski Area (Yubetsu Town)
13. Lily Yama Ski Area (Bihoro Town)
A ski resort where you can enjoy a beautiful view from the summit. It is a family-friendly slope for beginners and intermediates, with a length of 450m, a maximum gradient of 20 degrees, and an average gradient of 13 degrees. It's conveniently located near the city center for easy access. A pair lift of about 400m in length is also installed.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Dec. 20, 2025 (Sat) – Mar. 8, 2026 (Sun) (planned), 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM *Until 5:00 PM on Sundays
*Hours vary on certain dates.
■Price: Daytime Lift Pass (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM): High school students & older 2,200 yen / Junior high students & younger 1,100 yen
■Location: 175-1 Bikin, Bihoro-cho
Click here for details and map for Lily Yama Ski Area (Bihoro Town)
14. Saroma Town Ski Area (Saroma Town)
A ski resort with three courses for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers. It's a slope where a wide range of ages, from small children to seniors, can comfortably enjoy activities like skiing, snowboarding, and sledding.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Typically January to March, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Night skiing from 4:00 PM)
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass (Not valid for night hours / Reference: 2024-2025 season): High school students & General 1,500 yen / Preschoolers, Elementary & Junior high students 800 yen
■Location: 277-2 Nishitomi, Saroma-cho
Click here for details and map for Saroma Town Ski Area (Saroma Town)
15. Midori Ski Area / Midori Ski Area Snow Park (Kiyosato Town)
A ski resort where snowboarding is permitted on all slopes. The resort also features a snow park with kickers and boxes. It has beginner-friendly features, making it a park that can be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Jan. 6, 2026 (Tue) – Early March, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (until 5:00 PM on Sundays and holidays)
*Lift suspended for inspection between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
*From March, open only for night skiing (6:00 PM–9:00 PM) on weekdays.
■Closed: Mondays (open on holidays)
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass: Adults 2,000 yen / Junior high students & younger 1,000 yen
■Location: 51 Midori-machi, Kiyosato-cho, Shari-gun
Click here for details and map for Midori Ski Area / Midori Ski Area Snow Park (Kiyosato Town)
16. Shibetsu Kanayama Ski Area (Shibetsu Town)
A ski resort where you can enjoy the unique location and snow quality of Shibetsu. Here you can enjoy the "platinum snow" created by the harsh weather conditions of Kanayama. The course is full of varied inclines, and from the top of the slope, you can get a panoramic view of Kunashir Island and the Notsuke Peninsula.
【2025-2026 Season】
■Hours: Typically January–February, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM *In February, open only on weekends and holidays.
■Closed: Weekdays in February (open on holidays)
■Price: 1-Day Lift Pass (Reference: 2024-2025 season): Adults 2,300 yen / Children 1,400 yen
■Location: 58 Rinpan-kohan, Shibetsu Jigyoku, Kotanuke Kokuyurin-nai, Shibetsu-cho, Shibetsu-gun
Click here for details and map for Shibetsu Kanayama Ski Area (Shibetsu Town)
*All information is current as of December 2025.
*All information is subject to change. Please check official websites for the latest details.
