Snow Park Yeti Opens Oct 23, Japan's Earliest Ski Area

Yeti opened on October 23

Snow Park Yeti in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, opened for the 2026-27 season on Friday, October 23. This is the 28th year in a row that it has been the earliest-opening outdoor ski area in Japan (according to the operator). The season is scheduled to run until Sunday, March 28, 2027. ^[1]

Opening-day slope is about 1,000 m long

According to the operator, snowmaking this season began on Friday, October 9. The ICS (Ice Crush System), which can make snow regardless of the outside temperature, ran 24 hours a day for 14 days. At opening, the slope was about 1,000 m long and about 3 m wide, with a snow depth of 30 cm. The operator said conditions were tough right up to the opening, with unseasonably warm weather and storms. ^[1]

TV Shizuoka reported that about 500 people came on the first day, and some skied the man-made snow in character costumes. The manager said the heat of recent days melted some of the snow, but the team worked to get the slope ready in time for October 23. They plan to prepare the four courses one after another from here. ^[4]

Season dates and operating hours

• Season: October 23, 2026 (Fri) to March 28, 2027 (Sun), planned
• Hours: 9:00-22:00 (some days have no night skiing)
• Operation may be cancelled or the season shortened because of weather or poor conditions
• The operating calendar also lists days open 10:00-22:00, and days open 9:00-18:00 with no night skiing. ^[1][2]

The official site shows Yeti as open today, Saturday, October 24. However, the last time for slope skiing today is 16:00. Hours change from day to day, so check the official operating calendar and notices before you go. ^[3]

Other resort openings

See the opening information page for the resorts that have opened this season. It is updated every morning based on official announcements. On the Yeti page (Snow Park Yeti), you can also check snow depth and the live cam.

Sources

1. Snow Park Yeti 2026-2027 season: 28th straight year as Japan's earliest outdoor ski area to open (operator press release)
2. Hours and prices | Snow Park Yeti (official site)
3. Snow Park Yeti official site
4. Yeti, Japan's earliest ski area at the foot of Mt. Fuji, opens again this year (TV Shizuoka NEWS / Yahoo! News Japan)

Prepared with AI assistance from public sources. Always check each resort's official website for the latest information.