8 Breathtaking ski resorts in Asia for your next winter escape
Winter wonderlands
Dreaming of a ski trip or a scenic white backdrop during your winter holidays this year? We hear you. While a European country may be one of the first destinations to come to mind, there is also a plethora of snowcapped mountains and alpine villages in Asia if you’d prefer a medium-haul trip. With that said, here are eight spectacular luxury ski resorts in the region to be transported into a winter wonderland.
Club Med Kiroro Grand, Hokkaido, Japan
Club Med, the pioneer of premium all-inclusive holiday experiences, has just opened the Club Med Kiroro Grand in January 2024—making it the newest luxury ski resort on this list. Located in the heart of Hokkaido’s Kiroro region—which is famous for its record-breaking 21-metre snowfall and an extended 160-day winter—Club Med Kiroro Grand offers direct access to an immaculate ski domain, with 23 diverse courses catering to skiers of all levels. Ski and lift passes will be ready for guests upon arrival, ensuring no time is wasted to explore the pristine off-piste slopes spanning the Asari and Nagamine mountains. There are also group ski and snowboard lessons available for all ages and skill levels, led by dedicated professional ski Gracious Organisers (G.Os).
Guests can choose from 266 forest-themed Superior and Deluxe Rooms or Suites, including family-friendly accommodation options. Aside from ski and snowboarding activites, also included in all Club Med Kiroro Grand stays are access to Club Med’s first traditional Japanese Onsen, sauna, swimming pool, yoga sessions, cardio training room, and other live entertainment programmes. In terms of dining, there are four restaurants and a bar for guests to indulge in, including Yoichi, serving international cuisine; Ogon, a hot pot haven that’s perfect for guests seeking warmth during winter; Ebisu, specialising in sushi; The Kaen, offering yakiniku and seafood grills; and Yotei Bar, the resort’s main bar for snacks and handcrafted beverages.
Address: 650 Tokiwa, Akaigawa, Yoichi District, Hokkaido 046-0593, Japan
Contact: +81 135 35 3131
When to go: December to April
Getting there: Transfer to the resort is included for guests who book the fly & stay package and takes approximately 2 hours from New Chitose Airport. For separate flight bookings, transfers are available at additional cost.
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Park Hyatt Changbaishan in Fusong, China
There is a saying that couples who visit Changbai will stay together for their whole life until their hair grows white. After all, the name means “ever white” in Mandarin. If you don’t believe in old wives’ tales, the phrase also reflects the mountain’s picturesque white-capped tops come winter. The slopes are popular among locals, and Park Hyatt Changbaishan offers the perfect location to kick back and relax after a day of winter activities.
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Nestled within a forest, the resort boasts 164 spacious rooms ranging from 55 square meters to 484 square meters spread over 10 villas, which can accommodate couples, families, or even larger groups. For those who are less keen on skiing, there are also local attractions such as the West Gate of Changbai Mountain and the Heavenly Lake. Additionally, the resort has an all-day dining venue, a spa, pool and fitness centre.
Address: Park Hyatt Changbaishan, Changbaishan International Resort Changbaishan, China, 134504
Contact: +86 439 698 1234
When to go: All year around with seasonal activities
Getting there: Take a connecting flight to get to Changbaishan Airport, then hire a transfer to the resort (30 minutes away by car).
Happo One, Hakuba Valley, Japan
Since hosting the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Hakuba Valley has become one of the top ski resort towns in Japan. The town has 10 resorts surrounded by the picturesque mountains of the northern Alps of Japan, with Happo One being the largest and most popular. Happo offers 1701 meters of vertical drop and has a steep pitch, making it suited for intermediate and advanced skiers.
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In addition, the resort offers Happo Debut Tickets for beginners to practice on gentler slopes, as well as kid-friendly parks and spaces for young ones. When not skiing or basking in the snowy views, guests can explore the range of dining options or discover Hakuba’s local cultural sites and activities, such as snow monkey tours.
Address: Hokujo, Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano 399-9301, Japan
Contact: +81 261 72 3280
When to go: December to March (snow season) | June to September (summer season)
Getting there: Take a train from Narita to Tokyo (or Ueno), then a bullet train (Shinkansen) to Nagano, and then a bus to Hakuba Ski Resorts. Alternatively, take a shuttle bus or taxi transfer directly from Narita Airport to Hakuba.
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Niseko Village, Japan
Thanks to bouts of winter storms off Siberia, Niseko is well-known for receiving the world’s best powder snow throughout winter. It is home to four ski resorts under the Niseko United collective, each with separate but interlinked ski areas on the same mountain. Niseko Village is one of the four, with a focus on family-oriented activities such as snowmobiling, snow rafting, snowshoe tours, and even reindeer sled rides.
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The fully integrated destination features a variety of accommodation types spanning ski-in ski-out hotels with on-site onsen facilities, cosy holiday homes, pensions, and boutique townhouses set amidst the Niseko woodlands. There is also a collection of restaurants encompassing a wide array of culinary offerings, from teppanyaki to Hokkaido specialties and izakaya-style dishes.
Address: Higashiyama-onsen, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, 048-1592, Japan
Contact: +81 0136 44 3311
When to go: Open all year round with seasonal activities
Getting there: During winter, daily scheduled coach services are available from New Chitose Airport or from Sapporo to Niseko. Rapid service and local trains also operate between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Kutchan and Niseko.
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InterContinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort, South Korea
Nestled amidst the Taebaek mountain range in Pyeongchang, InterContinental Alpensia is a luxury ski resort with 238 well-appointed rooms and suites. Each accommodation boasts scenic views of Alpensia Lake and Mount Balwang, complete with temperature control and smart lighting to ensure a comfortable stay. Drawing inspiration from European alpine villages, it is located within the Alpensia resort town with easy access to a range of facilities including celebrated ski slopes, the Ocean 700 water park, two golf courses, and an Alpine Coaster.
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In terms of dining options, the eco-friendly 5-star resort features three on-site venues. Flavours Restaurant is an all-day dining restaurant that specialises in handcrafted stone-oven pizzas, dishes cooked with seasonal produce, and fresh seafood prepared in an open kitchen. Then there is Oxy Deli, a gourmet bakery selling freshly baked cookies, cakes and chocolates. Guests can also head to Oxy Lounge to enjoy a wide selection of premium liquor, wines, coffee, and tea during the evenings.
Address: 325 Solbong-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, 25351, Korea
Contact: +82 33 3391225
When to go: December to February
Getting there: The resort is 44.8km away from the Yangyang International Airport. Guests may reach the resort by hiring a taxi from the airport.
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Gulmarg Ski Resort, India
Besides Japan and South Korea, India has many ski resorts to offer too. Gulmarg Ski Resort takes pride of place as one of the best in the country, receiving some of the heaviest snowfall in the Himalayas. Nestled on Mt. Apharwat, the resort boasts the highest ski lift in the world, ascending to an elevation of 3,980 meters. Its name, Gulmarg, is translated to mean “Meadow of Flowers.”
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In terms of facilities, the resort is ideal for outdoor sports including cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, sledding, and gondola rides. There are also interesting temples and religious buildings to explore, alongside restaurants that serve local Kashmiri and Indian dishes, as well as international cuisine.
Address: The Khyber, On Gondola Road, road, near Govt. Hospital, Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir 193403
Contact: +91 96221 66661
When to go: January to March
Getting there: Fly into Delhi, India, and then take a flight to Srinagar. From Srinagar, take a taxi to Gulmarg.
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Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort, Japan
Another well-known alpine destination in Japan is Shiga Kogen, which boasts the country’s largest highest ski area. There are 18 ski resorts spread across the expansive terrain, equipped with 48 lifts, gondolas, and ski areas that are connected by a shuttle bus service. Guests can enjoy full access to all of the skiing areas with the shuttle bus or all-mountain common lift tickets.
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Accommodation ranges from family-run chalets to high-end hotels, some of which are located near historic hot spring towns of Kanbayashi Onsen, Shibu Onsen, and Yudanaka Onsen. Aside from winter activities like skiing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding, other popular activities include a snow monkeys tour, visiting the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, and relaxing at an onsen.
Address: 7148-203 Hirao, Yamanochi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401, Japan
Contact: +81 269 34 2264
When to go: November to May
Getting there: Take the JR train to Nagano station, then take a bus or taxi to Shiga Kogen.
Yongpyong Ski Resort, South Korea
Yongpyong is the biggest ski and snowboard resort in South Korea with an average annual snowfall of around 250cm, making it a favourite among world-class skiiers. It was even selected as a site for the Alpine Skiing event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics! The resort has 28 slopes to cater to beginners and advanced skiers alike; several hotels and condominiums; a variety of Korean, Japanese, and Western restaurants; a sauna; and shopping outlets.
As for other things to do, the ski resort’s gondola ride comes highly recommended, which will take you to the ever-popular Dragon Peak. There, you’ll be awed by the magnificent natural landscapes of the Greater Baekdu Mountain Range as you stroll along the garden or enjoy a drink at the coffee shop. Fans of the K-drama, Goblin, may also recognise familiar sets and scenes while exploring these attractions!
Address: 232-950, 715, Olympic-ro, Daegwanryeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea
Contact: +82 33 335 5757
When to go: November to April (snow season) | Open all year
Getting there: Take a shuttle bus from Seoul or a private transfer directly from the airport. Alternatively, take the express train (KTX) from Seoul to Jinbu Station, then take a local bus to Yongpyong Ski Resort.
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