When Do Hokkaido Ski Resorts Open? 2026-27 Opening Dates for Niseko, Rusutsu, Furano and More

Most of Hokkaido's ski resorts open for the 2026-27 season between late November and early December. The earliest is Sapporo Teine on November 21 (Sat), and Niseko's four resorts all plan to start together on November 28 (Sat). The thing to remember is that these are all planned dates. If there isn't enough snow, they slip later. Rather than building your trip around opening day exactly, leave three or four days of room on either side. To check whether snow has already started piling up, see Will Niseko have snow in 2026-27?.

The table below shows the 2026-27 opening dates each resort has published as of October 13, 2026. Some are confirmed on the resort's own site; others are still unannounced and come from travel information sites, so we added a column for that. Before you book flights or a room, check each official site once more for the latest date. Weather can push any of these forward or back.

When does Niseko open for 2026-27?

Niseko United's four resorts (Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, Annupuri) plan to open on November 28, 2026 (Sat). Grand Hirafu's official site lists the season as "November 28, 2026 to May 5, 2027 (tentative)," with night skiing from December 12 to March 22 (Grand Hirafu, checked October 13, 2026). Because the four share one mountain, their opening dates usually line up. Closing dates differ, though: Annupuri and Hanazono wrap up in early April, while Hirafu runs into early May.

In the first few days of the season, the running lifts and open runs are both limited. The upper mountain opens only once enough snow has settled. If you go in late November, plan to find your feet on the gentle slopes near the base. We wrote up the snow and what to wear this time of year in What is Niseko like in November?.

A local tip: opening day is a nice "I skied the first day" story, but the snow is still thin. If you want to really ski, wait about two weeks after opening and far more runs will be open.

Opening dates for Hokkaido's other main resorts

Outside Niseko, Hokkaido's big resorts also cluster in late November to early December. Sapporo Teine starts on November 21 (Sat), among the earliest in Hokkaido. It is close to central Sapporo, so some skiers use it to warm up at the start of the season (Sapporo Teine). Furano plans to open on November 28 (Sat) (Shin Furano Prince Hotel), and Hoshino Resorts Tomamu runs from December 1 (Tue) to April 5, 2027 (Tomamu).

Rusutsu usually opens in late November, and travel sites list November 28 (Sat) for 2026-27, but as of this article the resort has not posted an official announcement. Kiroro has only announced that online ticket sales for 2026-27 are open, with the lifts usually starting in early December. Sahoro and Kamui also tend to open once December begins. For any of these, confirm the latest date on each official site before you count on it.

Go right at opening, or wait?

Go on opening day and the crowds are thinner, but the snow is still building and only some runs are open. For deep snow and powder, aim for January and February; for quiet slopes and calmer prices, early December and March. Choose the month by what matters most to you. We compare the snow, crowds and prices month by month in When is the best time to visit Niseko?. Deciding first whether you want "quiet opening runs" or "reliable powder" saves a lot of second-guessing.

Whether snow has actually fallen is easier to judge if you watch the snowfall and forecast before you leave. Even with a planned opening date, how much falls that week changes the first day's conditions. Which numbers to look at, and which to trust, is in How to read the Niseko snow report.

Prices and lift passes shift with the dates

In early December, right after opening, the all-mountain pass and hotels are often cheaper than over the New Year holidays. From December 24 the peak season starts and both passes and rooms jump. We lay out the gaps between periods and how to choose a pass in Niseko lift passes 2026-27. Just after opening, fewer lifts are running, so a half-day or point ticket can fit the day better than a full-day pass. As the date nears, buying a pass online in advance for a set date is the surest route.

FAQ

What date does Niseko open for 2026-27?

Niseko United's four resorts plan to open on November 28, 2026 (Sat). Grand Hirafu's official site lists the season as "November 28, 2026 to May 5, 2027 (tentative)," with night skiing from December 12 to March 22 (checked October 13, 2026). All of these can shift with the weather.

Which Hokkaido resort opens earliest?

Among the ones with an official date, Sapporo Teine on November 21 (Sat) is among the earliest. It is close to central Sapporo and works as a place to warm up at the start of the season. Niseko, Furano and Rusutsu follow about a week later, around November 28.

Can opening dates really change?

Yes. Every resort publishes a "planned" date, and if there isn't enough snow they push opening back, or bring it forward in an early winter. Don't pin flights and rooms to opening day exactly; keep a few days of room on either side.

Is it fine for a beginner to go right after opening?

You can ski, but fewer runs are open and the steeper ones sometimes open first, so mid-December onward, when the gentle slopes are fully open, is easier for learning. If you go just after opening, plan around the base-area slopes and lessons.

When does each resort close?

Niseko's Grand Hirafu runs into early May 2027, while Annupuri and Hanazono close in early April. Tomamu runs to April 5, 2027, and Sahoro and Kamui aim for early April too. Spring changes the snow, so the skiable area gradually narrows. Check the closing date on each official site as well.

— Niseko Hub Editorial Team