Features
Best Ski Resorts for November Powder in Japan: Shibetsu Hinata, Horotachi, Hakkoda
November has started, and for anyone chasing snow the question is where it falls earliest. Using past Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) AMeDAS records, we looked at which ski resorts get the most days with 15 cm or more of snowfall in a day (we call these JAPOW days) in November.
Inland Hokkaido and Hakkoda lead in November
Here are the resorts with the most November JAPOW days, as 20-year averages per season. [1]
- 1st: Shibetsu Hinata (Hokkaido, AMeDAS station Shumarinai): 4.5 days
- 2nd: Horotachi (Hokkaido, AMeDAS station Horokanai): 3.9 days
- 3rd: Hakkoda (Aomori, AMeDAS station Sukayu): 3.8 days
- 4th: 音威富士 (Otoifuji) and Nakagawa Town Ski Area (Hokkaido, AMeDAS station Otoineppu): 2.9 days
- 5th: Asahidake, Daisetsuzan Sounkyo and Kurodake (Hokkaido, AMeDAS station Sounkyo): 2.8 days
The top of the list is mostly inland Hokkaido, with Hakkoda the one Honshu resort in third place. Snow is usually associated with December onward, but these areas can already see heavy falls in November.
Hakkoda leads over the full season
Over the whole season (20-year average), the ranking changes. Hakkoda is first with 40.1 days, followed by Yunodai (Yamagata, AMeDAS station Hijiori) with 34.1 days. Third is Yudonosan, Gassan Ski Area and Asahi Shizenkan Snow Park (Yamagata, AMeDAS station Oizawa) with 31.3 days, and fourth is New Greenpia Tsunan, Matsunoyama Onsen and Sakae Club Ski Area (Niigata, AMeDAS station Tsunan) with 30.2 days. Shibetsu Hinata, first in November, takes fifth place with 29.0 days. [1]
Hakkoda ranks near the top both in November and over the full season.
How to read these numbers
The day counts come from observation stations near the base of each resort. They do not reflect snowfall at the summit, and they are not a forecast for this year. Because they are 20-year averages, you should not expect this many days in any given year. [1]
You can check the ranking month by month on the powder day ranking (November). Many resorts are not yet open in November. We update this season's opening status every morning on the opening information page, based on official announcements from each resort.
Sources
Prepared with AI assistance from public sources. Always check each resort's official website for the latest information.