Are Japan’s Ski Resorts About to Court the American Skier?

The fact that Japan’s 620 ski resorts draw more foreign visitors than native skiers is seen as an affirmation of the quality of the resorts in Japan. Located on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido, the Niseko resort averages 45 feet a year of deep, dry powder. Aside from that, it offers 61 runs, 38 lifts, and 29 miles of groomed slopes for $42 adult day ticket.

$42 /day puts to rest the long standing myth of Japanese high prices and the affluent of the Pacific rim countries are not passing up the bargains. For instance, in Niesko the number of mainland Asian visitors rose fivefold from 2001 – 2005 and the number of South Korean skiers tripled to 15,000 in 2005.

The 1972 Winter Games in Sapporo and high prices gave the country’s resorts a label it has definitely outgrown. In December, a unit of U.S. based Citigroup Inc. paid $51.2 million for 12 ski resorts. Also in December, Japanese property giant Hoshino Resorts said it would spend $84 million to revamp two failed ski resorts it bailed out in 2003 and 2004.

Don’t be surprised if 45 feet of powder for $42 starts to get some serious American attention.