A Guide To Snowboarding In Asia — Simon Jack Burgess

Asia’s ski scene is dominated by Japan due to the incredible amounts of snow that cover the country between December and March., but Japan isn’t your only option for an Asian ski or snowboard trip. China hosted the Beijing Olympics and as such invested heavily in infrastructure across the country. South Korea has ski resorts surrounding its capital city of Seoul and high in the Himalayas, resorts like Gulmarg offer a ski experience of a different kind. If you are looking for something different from your next ski adventure then Asia could just be for you.

Asian ski and snowboard experiences are no longer a secret attracting winter visitors from around the globe. The ease of access from Australasia has meant that Japan has become a favourite amongst Aussies and Kiwis looking for their snow fix. But further afield in Europe and the US, an Asian ski trip is attracting more people every year.

It’s simple, an Asian ski trip offers something different from the norm for international skiers and snowboarders. The chance to dive deep into a new culture, explore new foods and have an adventure remain key reasons for visiting Asian ski resorts. Asia is a continent that offers a lot of variety in its ski scene and this is also appealing. I have enjoyed taking day trips to Heaven Lake in China and to see the snow monkeys in Japan whilst on Asian ski trips.

Consider a trip to Japan if you want to visit the snowiest place in the world and lap fresh powder until your legs can take no more. Head to China if you are looking for well-maintained terrain parks or the worlds largest indoor dome in Harbin. Host to the 2022 Winter Olympics, infrastructure in China is improving rapidly. Alternatively, why not consider India and the opportunity to ski or snowboard amongst the Himalayan mountain range and access the worlds highest lift at 3797m.

The ski season in Asia runs between December and April with the best conditions found in late January to mid-February. During this time Japan traditionally receives large dumps of snow. Although some ski resorts in China and South Korea receive lower annual snowfalls, during December - April the conditions are cold enough to run the snow guns to ensure a full season

EXPLORE BY COUNTRY

China has recently exploded its ski and snowboard scene since hosting the Winter Olympics in Beijing. This event was a major catalyst for huge investment in Chinese ski resorts. Ski areas in Yabuli, Changbaishan and closer to the capital of Beijing growing in popularity.

Japan is a snowboarding mecca that used to be a secret but that secret is well and truly out. Japan is best known for epic snowfall that delivers some of the world’s best powder skiing conditions. Japan also delivers off the slopes with an incredible culture to throw yourself into.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can You Snowboard In China?

Yes, with China set to host the Olympics it has invested heavily in it’s ski infrastructure. There are hundreds of resorts across the country however you will find the main ones close to Beijing or in the North East of the country near Harbin.

How Much Does It Cost To Snowboard In Japan?

It’s not cheap, let’s start there. Everything from; transport, accommodation and lift passes can add up in Japan. I ended up staying in a guest house, which was nice but it was shared with other guests. You can find a link to it here. In terms of lift pass prices, you will expect to pay between 3000-5000 Yen per day for a lift pass. You can buy weekly passes which save you some money and include inter-resort transport.

What is better Hakuba or Niseko?

From a personal perspective, I can not answer this having only snowboarded in Hakuba, not Niseko. I have however had friends who have worked, skied and lived in both and essentially this is their opinion… Niseko is more cruisey than Hakuba so if you are looking for steep runs then Hakuba is your answer. Niseko get’s more snow than most places on the earth… so if snow is your only criteria than Niseko probably pips Hakuba. Hakuba does still receive over 12m of snow per season!

What is the best month to go snowboarding in Japan?

Japan can have a relatively shorter season with the best conditions normally occurring between January and February.

Where is the best snowboarding in Asia?

Well, this one is going to be incredibly subjective. Asia is a continent with lots of diverse conditions that can make for some interesting ski areas. Japan has to be high on the list due to the abundance of snow and incredible tree skiing.