Skiing in Japan

There are a lot of places for skiing in Japan.
One of the most popular areas (especially for powder jankey) is Niseko, Hokkaido.
In winter season, you can use a shuttle bus from Shin Chitose(Sapporo) Airport. It takes about 3hr.
But around Nagano prefecture (Hakuba, Myoko, Shiga, and so on), you also find nice areas for ski vacation with good Onsen including Rotenburo( = opean-air hot spring)  !
I think January and Februaly are best season for skiing in Japan, actually it's depend on weather condition (or year), though.
Usually, after the end of February, it gets warmer, and the snow become heavier and damper gradually.(as Travertine's brother wrote) 
Anyway looks like you could find nice place. 
Please enjoy great vacation in Japan with good snow, culinary, and Onsen! 

I just saw this snow bound in Japan article in the NYTimes I thought I'd pass along. When I was in Japan two summers ago I saw folks getting a few turns on the patches of Mount Zao, and Lake Okama in the Miyagi prefecture. I also photographed a small local ski hill right outside the Shinkansen stop in Kariuzawa, a lovely northern town.

Have fun!

I spent a little more than 3 yrs in Japan, and those were easily some of the best years of skiing I have ever had! The amount of snowfall is absurd, and there always seems to be fresh lines...I miss it!

The ultimate source for info on skiing in Japan is www.snowjapan.com . It is an english site with info on EVERY resort (major or not) in Japan. Stats, weather, travel info, everything. But the best part of the site is really the message board. Good people on there, and they will be glad to answer anything you could ask.

My favorites:

Niseko, Hokkaido : not the steepest or gnarliest terrain, but the pow is amazing. Travel here is really not that bad...hr+ flight from tokyo-sapporo, then bus ride for a few hrs, but its relatively painless

Hakuba valley, Nagano : some big mountains, multiple resorts in a small area, so good for exploration, and lots of BC opportunities. Travel can be a little tougher...bullet train to nagano, but nagano is not hakuba so you will have to get on a bus

Naeba, Niigata: Dangerously close to tokyo, but home to my favorite tree run in the world...

lots more...but that should keep you busy

have fun!

dan

"A smaller area that hits it peak of snow depth in Feb. is Myoko Kogen."

Agree definitely. This is an area that doesn't get as much attention from foreign travellers. Weekday skiing is uncrowded and you can get some excellent deals.

Got this from the Welcome to Myoko! site. Check out their live cam shots too: klarbooks.com/guides/myoko/livecam.htm

"Myoko and the surrounding regions were amongst the first to develop ski resorts in Japan and offers some of the most outstanding skiing in all of Asia - and all just a train ride from Tokyo. Suginohara boasts the longest ski run in Japan (roughly 8.5 km) and Akakura Onsen Ski Resort possesses the steepest ski run in central Japan (38°) - rather nefariously refered to as "The Wall”.

In October 2007 the area was designated by The News Corporation Travel Section as one of Japan's best ski resorts.

There are nearly 25 ski areas within 30 minutes of Myoko City. Below is a clickable map (courtesy of of the Snow Japan site) of the major ski areas and below that a list of text links for all resorts - also courtesy of Snow Japan.

Numerous bargain packages can be found - particularly mid-week. As an example, for 2008 Akakura is offering a day lift ticket + lunch + gear discounts for only 3,800 yen whilst Ikenotaira is offering a mystery 'black box' package of hotel, meals, onsen and two lifts starting at just 7,700 yen. Check at one of the local tourist offices before heading up the mountain. Alternatively other discount coupons can be downloaded and printed from the respective resort websites (some Japanese may be required)"