7 best ski resorts in Japan, where Olympic slopes meet traditional onsens

"Every winter, cold, dry air from Siberia passes over the warm Sea of Japan, where it picks up moisture and turns areas like the Japanese Alps (where annual snowfall often exceeds 400 inches) into a winter wonderland. And, with nearly 500 resorts packed into a country just slightly smaller than California, Japan is equipped to take full advantage of Mother Nature's bounty."

"The country features some of the deepest snowpack, most immaculate tree runs, and most delicious ski resort food you'll find anywhere on the planet. Not only that, but many of these resorts give you quite the bang for your buck due to their accessibility by public transit (including the legendary bullet trains), and affordable lift tickets, sometimes costing just one-tenth the cost of similar popular US resorts."

"Niseko United The undisputed epicentre of Japan's mythical Japow, Niseko United is nestled high in the mountains of Hokkaido, Japan's northern island. You might think of this constellation of four interconnected resorts (Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, and Annupuri) as the country's answer to Aspen, transforming Mount Niseko-Annupuri into a world-class ski destination. While the buzz and international feel mean lift lines can be long during peak season, the sheer quality and consistency of the snowfall here are arguably worth it."

Japan receives enormous snowfall when cold, dry air from Siberia crosses the warm Sea of Japan, picking up moisture and dumping snow on ranges such as the Japanese Alps where annual totals often exceed 400 inches. The country contains nearly 500 ski resorts in an area slightly smaller than California, offering deep snowpack, immaculate tree runs, and high-quality mountain cuisine. Many resorts are highly accessible by public transit, including bullet trains, and offer affordable lift tickets sometimes costing about one-tenth of comparable US resorts. Niseko United on Hokkaido exemplifies world-class Japow skiing with interconnected resorts and extensive backcountry access via a gate system.

Read at www.cntraveller.com