NISEKO, JAPAN: Family-Friendly Skiing In Niseko (Hokkaido)

The mountainous Niseko region of Japan encompasses some of the country's finest and world-class ski resorts. Mount Yōtei is often referred to as the Mount Fuji of Hokkaido. The area boasts four interconnected resorts with 2,000 acres of skiable mountain on the eastern side of Niseko Annupuri. The annual 15-meter snowfall makes Niseko popular with regional and international skiers. Many people have second homes in Hokkaido, resulting in an exciting and diverse dining and après ski scene uncharacteristic in rural Japan.

Niseko is increasing in popularity and price, particularly during peak season over Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year. It's worth considering spring options for the best deals. If you seek true luxury, the Higashiyama Niseko Village, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is a prestigious sanctuary of peace that magically weaves personalized service with local nature, history, culture, and cuisine. There are many private chalets for families to enjoy this winter wonderland. Make sure that you enjoy an onsen hot springs experience!

Key Guides For Families Traveling To Niseko:

• Ultimate Guide To Niseko With Kids
• Top Restaurants In Niseko 
• Top Hotels, Chalets, And Hotels In Niseko

When to go? Between December and early April. Niseko is a breathtaking outdoor destination during the summer with the opportunity for mountain hikes, tree trekking, rafting, canyoning, golf, and cycling.

Where to stay? We have all the chalets, hotels, and spots to stay in Niseko with kids - click here for the guide!

How to get there? Fly to Sapporo with various carriers and take a car or a bus to Niseko.

HAKUBA, JAPAN: Family-Friendly Skiing In Hakuba (Nagano)

Another one of Japan's favorite ski resort towns, Hakuba, is in the Japanese Alps just outside Nagano, which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. The well-developed resort is home to the Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium, a lively après-ski scene, and the hot springs. Hakuba is a mere three hours from Tokyo and is ideal for a family weekend skiing in Asia.

The Hakuba Valley boasts a variety of ski resorts. The largest and most popular ski is Happo One which offers excellent powder skiing and different level runs. The Upper Route 1 is a must-ski for intermediate skiers who like an early start for immaculate slopes and to perfect their carved turns. This well-developed resort offers top-notch slopes, snowmobiling, snow-shoeing, ski lessons for kids and beginners, and some of the region's finest hot springs. Purchase the Hakuba Valley day pass and access 10 separate mountain resorts.

The Sakka Ski Slope on Happo One is for first-time skiers and snowboarders. Other ski resorts include the Hakuba 47 ski resort, which is connected to Hakuba Goryu and offers some great cruising runs. Iwatake is a small snowpark that is great for kids with easy-to-manage runs. Tsugaike is a large ski area with 27 lifts.

Key Guides For Families Traveling To Niseko:

• Ultimate Guide To Hakuba With Kids
• Where To Stay With Kids In Hakuba - Best Hotels, Chalets

When to go? From December to early April

Where to stay? Best Hotels And Chalets in Hakuba for kids and families

How to get there?

Hakuba is 44 kilometers west of Nagano and can be reached easily from Tokyo Narita Airport and the Nagoya and Kansai areas. You'll need to plan to take a flight to Tokyo Narita, a bullet train to Nagano, and then a taxi or shuttle to your hotel. Be sure to book transportation in advance.

* Please note that the estimated travel times provided are for flights to Tokyo's Narita Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND) from the respective departure points. From Tokyo, you can take various transportation options to reach Hakuba, such as bullet trains (Shinkansen), express buses, or private transfers. The travel time from Tokyo to Hakuba can range from approximately 2 to 4 hours depending on the chosen mode of transportation and the specific route taken.

YUZAWA, JAPAN: Family-Friendly Skiing In Yuzawa, Japan

Yuzawa is a resort town in the Japanese Alps known for its hot springs and many ski areas. The resort offers 11 ski lifts and hot onsens for you to relax after a hard day on the slopes. Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway links the town with ski trails and the Alp no Sato botanical gardens. At the Echigo-Yuzawa train station, Ponshukan is a sake museum with a tasting area and sake bath. It's thought that a sake bath increases your body temperature, raising your circulation and heart rate, allowing your body to detox metabolic imbalances. Little Steps loves the traditional décor and ambiance of Hatago Isen. Yuzawa is known for deep powder and a long season.

When to go? From mid-November to late May

Where to stay? The Hatago Isen, https://hatago-isen.jp/OLD/en/index.html

How to get there? Fly to Tokyo Narita or Haneda and take the Narita Express to Tokyo Main Station, then the Shinkansen bullet train directly to Yazawa.

* Please note that the estimated travel times provided are for flights to Tokyo's Narita Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND) from the respective departure points. From Tokyo, you can take a direct train to Yuzawa using the Joetsu Shinkansen line, which takes approximately 80-90 minutes. Yuzawa is a popular ski resort destination easily accessible from Tokyo by train.

TOHOKU, JAPAN: One Of Japan's Oldest Ski Resorts (Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi, Yamagata)

Tohoku ticks all the boxes if you want an authentic Japanese ski trip. The area is known for its volcanoes, breathtaking mountains, the tiny pine-covered islet, Matsushima Bay, and skiing. Tohoku boasts Lake Towada, a vast crater lake famed for its crystal clear sapphire waters and surrounding forests. The region's largest city, Sendai, is the site of the Osaki Hachimangu Shinto shrine and ornate Zuihoden, the tomb of feudal lord Date Masamune. Tohoku is one of the oldest ski resorts in Japan, made up of six areas Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi, and Yamagata. The locals speak very little English, and it is considered off-the-beaten-track.

When to go? December until early April

Where to stay?  Zao Kukusai Hotel https://www.zao-kokusaihotel.jp/en/ or  Zao Onsen Ski Resort https://www.zao-spa.or.jp/english/

How to get there? Fly into Narita International Airport, then travel from JR Tokyo Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen or Joetsu Shinkansen lines. This bullet train will take up to three-and-a-half hours in total.

*Please note that the estimated travel times provided are for flights to Tokyo's Narita Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND) from the respective departure points. From Tokyo, you can reach Tohoku by either taking a train or a domestic flight, depending on your specific destination within Tohoku. Train travel times from Tokyo to major cities in Tohoku, such as Sendai or Aomori, can range from approximately 2 to 4 hours, while domestic flights can vary in duration depending on the chosen route and airport. It's recommended to check the specific transportation options and schedules based on your desired destination within Tohoku.

NOZAWA ONSEN, JAPAN: World Class Skiing In Japan At This Secret Find For Families!

Experience old-fashioned Japanese hospitality, world-class skiing, phenomenal gastronomy, and true hot spring onsen bath culture in Nozawa Onsen. Make your way to Nozawa Onsen from major Asian cities like Tokyo and Hong Kong and stay in comfortable accommodation options dotted all around the Village. This magical winter wonderland is perfect for snow-loving families with babies, toddlers, and teens! Little Steps brings you the ultimate ski guide on where to eat, play, and stay in Nozawa Onsen. Head to the Village and let it snow!  Click here for the full Little Steps guide!

When to go? The best time to visit Nosawa Onsen is from mid-December to mid-May when the region experiences ideal snow conditions for skiing and snowboarding.

Where to stay? Check online here for the various accommodation offerings available in Nozawa Onsen. Some

How to get there?  It’s relatively simple to get to Nozawa Onsen from Tokyo, Haneda or Narita International Airports, or by catching the train to Liyama Station. You can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen high-speed bullet train from Tokyo or Ueno and travel to Liyama Station. At Liyama Station, it’s pretty straightforward to catch the Nozawa Onsen Liner bus straight to Nozawa Onsen. This bus journey takes about 20 minutes, and you can check the Nozawa Onsen Liner bus schedules here.

*Please note that the estimated travel times provided are for flights to Tokyo's Narita Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND) from the respective departure points. From Tokyo, you can take a combination of trains and buses to reach Nozawa Onsen. The most common route is to take a shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Iiyama Station, and then transfer to a bus that will take you directly to Nozawa Onsen. The travel time from Iiyama Station to Nozawa Onsen is approximately 25-30 minutes by bus. It's recommended to check the train and bus schedules in advance for a smoother journey.

YONGPYONG SKI RESORT IN SOUTH KOREA: World Class Skiing For Beginners To Experts

The Yongpyong Resort is ideal for families who want to hit the slopes, enjoy a long weekend in quality snow, and enjoy some of South Korea's famed hospitality. It's hosted various FIS Alpine World Cups, the Winter Olympics, and the IPC Paralympic World Cup. 28 glorious slopes cover over 24 kilometers and provides exceptional skiing for beginner, intermediate, and expert levels, so there is something for everyone. Elevations range between 700 and 1,438 meters above sea level.

When to go? End of November to April

Where to stay? Yongpyong Resort, South Korea, www.yongpyong.co.kr

How to get there? Fly to Seoul and travel to the resort for approximately two hours.

*Please note that the estimated travel times provided are for flights to Incheon International Airport (ICN) from the respective departure points. From the airport, you can arrange transportation to Yongpyong Ski Resort, which is located approximately 200 kilometers away. This typically involves taking a shuttle bus or taxi service, with travel times ranging from 2.5 to 4 hours depending on traffic conditions and the chosen mode of transportation. It's recommended to check the availability and schedules of shuttle services or pre-book a taxi in advance for a smooth transfer to Yongpyong Ski Resort.

YABULI, CHINA: Visit The Largest Ski Resort In China

Yabuli Ski Resort is the largest ski resort in China and includes the country's most extensive ski jumping facilities. It is located in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, 170 kilometers southeast of Harbin. The all-inclusive Club Med is in the heart of Yabuli National Park. It provides ski passes, ski and snowboard lessons, all food and beverages, and accommodation, allowing for a stress-free holiday. While the kids are skiing or in the kid's club, mom and dad can enjoy the blissful L'OCCITANE spa treatments. There is a range of activities, including ice festival-inspired party evenings, a climbing wall, an indoor swimming pool, and fitness classes, not to mention the Go Pro corner.

When to go? From mid-November to mid-March

Where to stay? Club Med Yabuli, https://www.clubmed.com.hk/r/Yabuli/w. Note that this resort has an age limit of 2 years or above.

How to get there? Fly to Harbin via Shanghai and then transfer to Yabuli, approximately two-and-a-half hours by train.

*Please note that the estimated travel times provided are for flights to Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB) from the respective departure points. From the airport, you can arrange transportation to Yabuli Ski Resort, which is located approximately 200 kilometers away. This typically involves taking a shuttle bus or taxi service, with travel times ranging from 2.5 to 4 hours depending on traffic conditions and the chosen mode of transportation. It's recommended to check the availability and schedules of shuttle services or pre-book a taxi in advance for a smooth transfer to Yabuli Ski Resort.

BEIDAHU, CHINA: Family-Friendly Skiing In China

The valley connects the Beidahu mountains to form the impressive Club Med ski resort. It offers the highest operating vertical in the country, with areas ideal for skiing lessons for kids and many scenic cross-country trails. The all-inclusive Club Med offers accommodation, delicious food and beverage offerings, a kids club, a fitness center, ski passes, group ski lessons, and even your flights! Beidahu is perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers over the age of two.

When to go? From late November to early March

Where to stay? Club Med Beidahu, https://www.clubmed.co.th/r/beidahu/y. Please note that they have an age limitation of two years and above.

How to get there?

There are direct flights from Hong Kong to Changchun and then a two-hour drive. From Singapore, expect a 15-hour flight to Changchun with a layover in Shanghai and a two-and-a-half-hour transfer to the resort.

*Please note that the estimated travel times provided are for flights to Changchun Longjia International Airport (CGQ) from the respective departure points. From the airport, you can arrange transportation to Beidahu Ski Resort, which is located approximately 50 kilometers away. This typically involves a combination of private transfers and/or shuttle services, with travel times ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the chosen mode of transportation and road conditions.