Hokkaido Ski Resort Raises One-Day Lift Ticket to 14,500 Yen Surpassing Disney Resort
Lift Fees at Rusutsu Ski Resort in Hokkaido Rise 65% in Two Seasons
At the “World Ski Awards 2024,” which recognizes the top ski resorts worldwide, Hokkaido’s “Rusutsu Resort” was named Japan’s Best Ski Resort. This marks the fifth time it has won the award, making it the most awarded domestic ski resort.
Rusutsu Resort features three mountains with 37 courses and three hotels at the base. It has recently made headlines with a significant increase in lift ticket prices for the 2024–2025 season.
A one-day lift ticket, which allows unlimited rides during operating hours on the selected day, costs a staggering ¥14,500, the highest price at any domestic ski resort, even more expensive than a one-day ticket at a Disney Resort.
“Two seasons ago, Rusutsu Resort’s one-day lift ticket was ¥8,800, which was raised to ¥11,500 last season, making it the first resort in Japan to exceed ¥10,000, which caused quite a stir. This season, the price jumped by ¥3,000 to ¥14,500. People must be surprised to see a 65% increase in just two years.”
This is what the head of the “Ski Dokkōbō Research Institute” (K), who shares information about ski resorts on blogs and X (formerly Twitter), had to say. With nearly 40 years of skiing experience, K has skied on slopes in Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. Currently, he spends almost every weekend during the season skiing at the Gāra Yuzawa Ski Resort in Niigata, known for its mogul slopes.
K, who is very familiar with ski resorts across the country, shared his thoughts on Rusutsu Resort’s lift ticket pricing.
“The one-day lift ticket at Gāra Yuzawa, where I ski, is ¥6,800. The most expensive ski resort on Honshu, Karuizawa Prince Ski Resort, charges ¥8,800.
Rusutsu’s one-day ticket is certainly much more expensive than ski resorts on Honshu. For people who don’t stay at the resort and only go for one or two days in a season, this price increase could be a significant blow.”
Does this mean that only a limited number of ski customers will opt for the ¥14,500 one-day ticket?
“I believe there will still be people who use the one-day ticket. However, whether they will actually pay ¥14,500 at the ticket counter at the resort is another question.
If you buy the one-day ticket online, it’s ¥11,200. No one would pay ¥3,000 more to buy it at the counter.”
Like K, skiers and snowboarders who frequent their favorite ski resorts throughout the season usually purchase a season pass.
“For someone like me, who goes to the same ski resort repeatedly, it’s definitely a season pass. There are also common season passes and multi-use tickets that allow you to ski at several resorts, catering to people who want to ski at different places.
Rusutsu Resort also offers season passes. The ‘K-Winter Pass,’ which gives access to four ski resorts operated by the Kamori Kanko Group (Rusutsu Resort, Sapporo Teine, Sahoro Resort, and Nakayama Pass Ski Resort), costs ¥103,000 after November 4. If you buy it early, you get a ¥10,000 meal voucher, making the price ¥86,000.
If you plan to visit Rusutsu more than 10 times during the season, a season pass will save you more money compared to buying a one-day ticket online each time. For people who ski 20 or 30 days a season at Rusutsu, the increase in the price of the one-day ticket won’t affect them much.”
IIn the U.S., it costs around ¥45,000. Niseko, which has seen a surge in inbound tourism, is also raising its prices.
What about for skiers in the Greater Tokyo Area?
“From the Tokyo area, people are likely to use package tours that include flights, hotels, and lift tickets. Most won’t focus on just the lift ticket prices.
The same goes for international skiers. Inbound visitors always stay in hotels. The lift ticket is included in the accommodation cost, so they don’t buy lift tickets separately. The impact of the price increase is likely minimal for them.”
A day ticket at world-renowned ski resorts costs about ¥45,000 in Vail, U.S., and around ¥32,000 in Whistler, Canada. A day ticket in Japan is much cheaper compared to North America. Moreover, due to the yen’s depreciation, even the highest lift ticket price in Japan, at Rusutsu, is considered very affordable for overseas skiers.
“This is just my speculation, but the pricing of the day tickets might be a domestic promotion. In fact, the significant rise in lift ticket prices this season has garnered attention from the media. As a result, it could boost Rusutsu’s visibility.
Another possible reason might be to increase the resort’s brand value. By raising lift ticket prices, they create an image of a high-end ski resort and offer occasional cheaper days to attract domestic skiers. I think this could be part of their strategy.”
This season, the four ski resorts of “Niseko United” — including Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village Ski Resort, Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area, and Niseko HANAZONO Resort — also raised their day ticket prices by 10.5%, making the cost ¥10,500, the first time it has exceeded ¥10,000.
However, in the case of Niseko, the price increase doesn’t seem to be a promotional tactic.
“The four ski resorts in Niseko are operated by different companies, and each has raised the price of their own day tickets. Niseko has always been expensive, and the prices have been gradually increasing.
The rising costs of labor and energy likely play a role. Ski resorts have massive electricity costs. This is the case for all resorts, and the increase in lift ticket prices is a common necessity.”
However, Niseko’s two resorts in Kutchan Town, Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu and Niseko HANAZONO, offer a “Kutchan Local Discount” for residents, reducing the price of the day ticket to ¥5,700, a 40% discount, showing consideration for local customers.
Worth the lodging and transportation costs to go skiing!
This winter, accommodation bookings in Niseko are already surpassing last winter’s record, with about 80% of the visitors coming from overseas.
Niseko is gradually becoming a ski resort that is increasingly distant for Japanese people. There are voices claiming that the crowds on the slopes and the rising lift ticket prices are making it harder for Japanese skiers to visit.
“However, for people coming from the Tokyo metropolitan area, most of the expenses are for accommodation and transportation, with lift ticket costs accounting for about 10-20%. Even though the lift tickets for Rusutsu and Niseko have exceeded 10,000 yen, I don’t think the price of the lift ticket would be the reason people avoid going.
The new snow in Hokkaido is completely different from that in Honshu. Even if the tour price is slightly higher, it’s definitely worth going skiing.
If you’re looking to save a little, you could go to other ski resorts in Hokkaido aside from Niseko and Rusutsu. While there might be differences in size and scale, the snow quality at any Hokkaido ski resort is excellent.”
By the way, the prices for one-day lift tickets at popular Hokkaido resorts are as follows: Kiroro Resort and Sahoro Resort at 8,000 yen, Hoshino Resorts Tomamu and Furano at 7,500 yen, and Sapporo Kokusai at 5,800 yen.
“People from the Tokyo metropolitan area often go to ski resorts in Nagano and Niigata. But, if you’re going skiing or snowboarding, I’d definitely recommend trying the snow in Hokkaido at least once.”
▼ Ski Uneven Research Institute’s blog receives 100,000 to 200,000 page views per month, and has 13,000 followers on X. The blog shares useful information, such as “Ski resort common season tickets that anyone can buy,” “Ski resorts with free or discounted lift tickets for elementary school students and young people,” and “Local government gratitude coupons that can be used at ski resorts through the Furusato Nozei program.”
Reporting and writing： Sayuri Saito
