Guide To Buying Your Lift Pass

It can be a pretty stressful time when you’re booking a trip to Japan. Itineraries, accommodation, airport transfers– trying to organise everything can become a whirlwind. Then, when it comes time to decide on the lift pass that will best suit your needs, it adds a whole new layer of planning and preparation.

We wanted to make this process easy for you by curating a step-by-step guide on the different kinds of lift passes available in Japan, the differences between each, and the varying benefits.

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Short on time? Skip Ahead!

- Niseko Lift Pass Info
- Hakuba Lift Pass Info
- Furano Lift Pass Info

Types of Niseko Lift Passes


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There are four main types of lift passes available at Niseko United resorts:

Day Passes

As with most ski resorts around the world, day passes are tickets that cover you for a selected number of days. These passes can be purchased for single day options, or for multiple consecutive days.

Note: some resorts offer consecutive day passes that include rest days, so if you have a 6 day pass, it can be used over 10 days.

Season Passes

Season passes offer riders the freedom of unlimited lift access throughout the entire winter and spring seasons. In Niseko you can buy season passes for individual mountains, or an All Mountain pass, which covers you for all four of Niseko’s resorts.

Hourly Passes

A lot of Niseko’s resorts offer hourly lift passes which can be used across multiple days, but only for a limited amount of time. For winter 2025/26, Niseko United will be offering 50-hour passes. E.g- If you buy a 50-hour pass and ride 3 hours on one day, the following day you will still have 47-hours remaining on the pass. The system is gauged per hour, so if you scan in at a lift station at 12:01 p.m, your pass will be deemed as used for that hour (12:00 – 12:59). If you are wanting to buy an hourly lift pass and use it over multiple days, make sure your last ride is within the hour (12:59 p.m). 

Point Passes

Point passes are quite a simple system, in general, 1 point = 1 lift, therefore if you buy a 12 point pass, you have access to use the lifts 12 times. However, some lifts are worth more points, ie- a gondola can sometimes be worth 3-4 points, so it’s always important to check before you tap on!

 

How to Buy Niseko Passes

In-Resort

All of Niseko’s resorts have ticket boxes at the entry to the mountain, offering guests the opportunity to buy their lift pass and go riding immediately.

Online

There is also the option to pre-purchase your lift pass online. While this is an option that saves time and can quite often offer discounts, you will still need to collect your pass from the resort ticket office, unless you have a lift pass from the previous season that you have topped up.


Lift Passes Offered Across Niseko Resorts


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All Mountain
It’s all in the name–the All Mountain pass gives you access to all four of Niseko’s resorts. Perfect for people looking to explore varied terrain or for those staying for an extended amount of time. An All Mountain pass will also give you access to the Niseko United Shuttle bus, making it easy to travel between areas. All Mountain passes can be purchased in the option of day passes up to 7-days, 12 point passes, 50-hour passes or season passes.


Hirafu and Hanazono
As the largest resort in the Niseko United ski area, Grand Hirafu boasts access to a diverse range of terrain, including off-piste and side country areas. The Hirafu x Hanazono pass gives you access to both ski resorts (approximately 60% of the Niseko United Ski Area) and is a perfect option for beginner to intermediate riders in Niseko for a shorter stay. 

Previously, these passes have come in the option of day passes up to 14-days, 12 point, and season passes. The current 2025/26 offerings are not currently available online but are set to be announced over the coming weeks.

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Annupuri and Niseko Village
You can also get lift passes that cover you for both Annupuri and Niseko Village, giving you the option of two mountains to cruise between. Please note that the Niseko United Shuttle, Grand Hirafu and Hanazono resorts are not covered by the Annupuri x Niseko Village lift pass. Annupuri x Hanazono passes must be redeemed and collected at the resort, even when purchased online. 2025/26 pass details are currently not available online.

Annupuri
Of the four Niseko resorts, Annupuri is the smallest and quietest, although it still offers a lot of options for terrain. Annupuri offers lift passes to their resort, as well as discounted passes for both the spring season (March 21 - April 7) and the final season (April 8 - May 6). If you’re looking at getting a pass for Annupuri alone, you have the option of day passes, point passes, multi-day passes, night skiing passes, hourly passes up to 50 hours, and season passes.

Lift Passes For Resorts Near Niseko

You may find it unsurprising that given Niseko’s huge amount of annual snowfall, each of its neighbouring resorts also receive huge dumps of powder every winter season. If you’re looking at exploring more than just the Niseko United resorts, here are a few of the best neighbouring resorts and the types of lift passes that each sells:


Rusutsu is one of Hokkaido’s hidden gems. While it’s located 30 minutes from central Niseko and requires a car to access, it’s some of the finest powder you can get around the region. Rusutsu sells 25 hour tickets, with options for five hour top ups.

Tip: If you have an Epic Pass you can access Rusutsu for five consecutive days of free riding.

Located about an hour north of Niseko, Kiroro is known for having the lightest, driest and most powder in the area. To put it in perspective, while Niseko receives an average of 12m - 15m of snow per season, Kiroro receives 21m! 

Kiroro sells hourly, daily and multiple day lift passes.

A beloved mountain 20 minutes from Niseko famous for its secluded slopes and local charm. With a rich history dating back to 1919, Moiwa is a favourite amongst backcountry enthusiasts and families alike due to its quiet, rustic charm, wide beginner-friendly slopes and lower volume of riders, making it the perfect spot for beginners to learn how to ride powder. 

Moiwa sells hourly, day and season lift passes.

A secluded coastal resort where the Sea of Japan meets the land, Mt Iwanai sits 1,086 metres above sea level and is largely untouched by the busy crowds that flock to Niseko each year. Offering a limited number of lifts, Iwanai is most known for its deep powder which is mainly accessed through CAT Ski’s and backcountry tours.

Iwanai sells hourly, day and season lift passes.


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Types of Hakuba Passes



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All 10 resorts in the Hakuba Valley share the same lift pass system, and you have 2 main options when buying lift passes. You can either buy the Hakuba Valley Lift Pass, or you can buy a daily pass at each resort each day.

*Tip- Epic pass holders are covered for five consecutive days riding at any of the Hakuba Valley resorts. Pass holders will also have free access to the Hakuba Valley shuttle service.

Day Passes

Day lift passes are tickets that cover you for a selected number of days. These lift passes can be purchased for single day options, as well as for multiple consecutive days.

Season Passes

Season passes offer riders the freedom of unlimited lift access throughout the entire winter and spring seasons. In Hakuba you can buy season passes for individual mountains, or a Hakuba Valley Pass pass, which covers you for all ten of Hakuba’s resorts.

 

 

How to Buy Hakuba Passes



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In-Resort

Hakuba’s resorts have ticket boxes at the entry to the mountain, offering guests the opportunity to buy their pass and go riding immediately.

Online

You also have the option to pre-purchase your lift pass online. While this is an option that saves time and can quite often offer discounts, you will still need to collect your pass from the resort ticket office, unless you have a lift pass from the previous season that you have topped up.


Lift Passes Offered Across Hakuba Resorts



Hakuba Valley Pass

If you’re looking to explore all that Hakuba has to offer, the Hakuba Valley Pass is the one for you. Valley Pass can be purchased in single day, multi-day and season passes and gives you access to all of Hakuba’s ten resorts, Hakuba Valley Passes begins from ¥10,400 for a single day adult ticket and can be purchased online or from the ticket office at the resorts.

* Tip- These lift passes are valid for 1 – 14 days, and apart from the 1 day pass, include rest days along the way.  

Happo-One

As Hakuba's most prominent resort, Happo-One (Only a short walk from all Rhythm Hakuba store locations) offers their own individual lift passes. Perfect if you're staying around the Happo region and don't want to stray too far from home!

Hakuba 47/Goryu

As both resorts are interconnected, you can purchase passes that cover you for Hakuba 47 and Goryu. Season passes, half day, single day, consecutive day tickets are available. You can also purchase one-way chairlift and gondola rides. 

*Tip - If you have a pre-existing ticket you can receive a ¥1,000 discount when you recharge your existing ticket online.

Iwatake

You also have the option of purchasing a pass to Iwatake. A hidden gem amongst Hakuba, Iwatake offers numerous courses perfect for all skill-sets, especially intermediate to advanced riders with its deep powder runs, terrain parks, and access to the back country making it a favourite amongst locals. Iwatake offers half day, single day, and consecutive day passes starting from ¥6,500 for a single day ticket. Passes can be purchased from the ticket counter at the resort.

Tsugaike

Tsugaike is another local favourite that offers both season passes and single/multi-day passes. Additionally, Tsugaike also offers lunch pack tickets, a lift-pass that includes a lunch ticket for in-resort dining. Adult day passes for Tsugaike start from ¥8,200, or ¥9,400 for the lunch pack option and can be purchased from both the ticket counter and online.

*Tip - Tsugaike offers discounted rates for passes purchased online.

Norikura & Cortina

Norikura and Cortina offer passes that cover you for both resorts. These passes can be purchased for the season, or in single day, multi-day and 4 hour tickets and begin from ¥6,200 for single day tickets. 

*Tip - If you purchase a Norikura/Cortina season you also gain free access to the Hakuba Alps Hotel onsen when you show your pass.

Kashimayari

Kashimayari sells adult day pass, while also offering family prices when adult and children tickets are purchased together. 

*Tip - Children under six ski for free.

Sanosaka

Sanosaka offers passes from ¥4,600 yen for adults. Sanosaka does not have an option to purchase online, tickets can only be bought from the ticket kiosk at the resort. 

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Types of Furano Lift Passes


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Furano lift passes are all inclusive and provide access to both the Kitanomine and Furano zones, comprising 9 ski lifts and 28 trails. Passholders can use the lifts for both day and night skiing and children aged 12 and under ski free, given they have picked up their passes from a lift ticket office. 

There are four types of lift passes available for the Furano resort:

Day Passes

Day passes are tickets that cover you for a selected number of days. These lift passes can be purchased for single day options, as well as for multiple consecutive days.

Season Passes

Season passes offer riders the freedom of unlimited lift access throughout the entire resort. 

Half-Day Passes

Furano offers hourly lift passes, which are valid for either 3 or 5 hours.

Point Passes

Point passes are quite a simple system, in general, 1 point = 1 lift, therefore if you buy a 12 point pass, you have access to use the lifts 12 times. However, some lifts are worth more points, ie- a gondola can sometimes be worth 3-4 points, so it’s always important to check before you tap on!

 

 

How to Buy Furano Lift Passes



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In-Resort

Furano has a ticket box at the entry to the mountain, offering guests the opportunity to buy their pass and go riding immediately.

Online

You also have the option to pre-purchase your lift pass online. While this is an option that saves time and can quite often offer discounts, you will still need to collect your pass from the resort ticket office, unless you have a lift pass from the previous season that you have topped up. To purchase online you will have to go through the Prince Hotels website.


It's now or never! Grab your lift pass, book those rentals and get over here to shred some Japow!