Daisen Ski Resort — 2026 Season Guide Western Japan's Largest Ski Area | Powder Snow, Night Skiing & Family Runs | 5 min from HALE MAKAWAO
Updated: May 2026 | Category: Winter Activities
🌑 Daisen Ski Resort is the largest ski resort in western Japan, spread across 1,000–1,400m elevation on the slopes of Mt. Daisen in Tottori Prefecture. The resort is just 5 minutes by car from HALE MAKAWAO, making it one of the most convenient ski-in/lodge-out experiences in all of Tottori. With 10 runs ranging from gentle beginner slopes to expert chutes reaching 35 degrees, it caters to everyone from first-timers to powder seekers. Night skiing, full rentals, and a certified ski school round out the experience. Increasingly popular with skiers from Taiwan and South Korea, Daisen offers quality snow without the overcrowding of more famous resorts.
Season: Late December through late March (subject to snowfall conditions)
Night skiing: Available (primarily weekends and major holidays)
Distance from HALE MAKAWAO: ~5 minutes by car
💵 Lift Ticket Prices (2025–2026 Reference)
Prices are indicative and subject to change. Check the official website for current pricing.
Ticket Type
Adult
Child (elementary school and under)
Full Day — Weekday
¥4,200
¥2,500
Full Day — Weekend/Holiday
¥4,800
¥2,800
Afternoon Pass (from noon)
¥3,200
¥2,000
Night Skiing Pass
¥1,800
¥1,200
2-Day Pass
¥8,200
¥4,800
Young children (ages 4 and up, pre-school) may access certain lifts free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult — confirm current policy on the official website.
🌲 The Runs
🌸 Daisen Family Slope
Best for beginners & kids
Gentle gradient, wide run. Home base for the ski school. Perfect for children taking their first steps on snow.
☄ Course 1 (Longest Run)
Intermediate
The longest continuous run on the mountain. A comfortable intermediate pitch — great for building confidence and speed.
🔥 Course 4 (Expert Chute)
Expert
Maximum gradient of 35 degrees. The go-to run for expert skiers hunting powder stashes after a snowfall.
🌍 Night Skiing Runs
Weekends & holidays
Floodlit selected runs after dark. Skiing Daisen under the stars, then returning to HALE MAKAWAO for dinner — a perfect evening.
🌃 Ski Rental
Multiple rental shops operate at the resort. Full sets are available — you can arrive completely empty-handed.
Ski set (skis, boots, poles): ~¥3,500–5,000/day
Snowboard set (board, boots): ~¥3,500–5,000/day
Jacket + pants set: ~¥2,000–3,500/day
Children's ski set: ~¥2,500–3,500/day
During peak periods (Dec 29–Jan 3, weekends), queues form before opening. Pre-booking equipment where available is strongly recommended.
🌋 Ski School
A certified ski school operates on-site. You can drop children off for lessons and ski independently. For English or Chinese-speaking instructors, contact the resort in advance.
Children's lesson (half-day): ~¥4,000–5,000
Adult group lesson (2 hours): ~¥3,000–4,000
Private lesson (per hour): ~¥8,000+
🌐 Why Daisen for International Visitors
Daisen Ski Resort is rapidly gaining popularity with skiers from Taiwan and South Korea, and it's easy to understand why:
Excellent access: Yonago Kitaro Airport (near Sakaiminato) is roughly 45 minutes away. Direct flights from Taipei and Seoul are available; connection via Osaka Kansai Airport is also straightforward.
Great snow quality: The Sea of Japan delivers heavy snowfall every winter. On the coldest days (−5 to −15°C), conditions approach dry powder. Average annual snowpack at the resort exceeds 2 meters.
Uncrowded compared to famous alternatives: Far fewer lift queues than Hakuba or Shiga Kogen, meaning more time on the slopes.
Post-ski seafood: Sakaiminato's Snow Crab and fresh seafood are only 40 minutes away. No other Japanese ski destination offers this combination.
HALE MAKAWAO advantage: Stay at our private villa 5 minutes from the slopes. Load your gear in the car, ski all day, return to your own house.
👩👦👧 Family Skiing Tips
The Family Slope is excellent for children's first ski experience — gentle and wide
A dedicated snow play area means non-skiing toddlers can still enjoy the snow
The on-mountain restaurant gets very busy — eat breakfast at HALE MAKAWAO before heading up
Children's ski wear: rent it, don't buy it. Rental quality is perfectly adequate.
Weekend parking fills up fast. Aim to arrive before 7:00 am on busy days.
🚗 Getting There & Parking
From HALE MAKAWAO to Daisen Ski Resort: ~5 minutes by car
Parking: Large free lot directly at the resort (can fill during peak periods)
Shuttle bus: Operates between Yonago Station and the resort during the ski season (confirm schedule)
From Yonago Kitaro Airport: ~40 minutes by car
♨︎ Post-Ski Onsen
Nothing beats soaking tired ski legs in a hot spring. Goen-yu-in (Daisenji area, about 20 minutes from HALE MAKAWAO) is a beloved option for skiers heading back from the mountain. Alternatively, come back to HALE MAKAWAO first and then head to the onsen — the choice is yours.