skiing in japan

Question
I'd love to take my family skiing in Japan but have heard that the infrastructure
is pretty old - old lifts, no safety bars etc. Are there any resorts (particularly on
Hokkaido) that offer world-standard facilities?

Answer
hello and thanks for the question

some of the resorts have interesting restraining devices that we might not consider safe for our kids... and some adults would baulk at getting on them as well.however, of the 4 resorts i skied at i did not find their lifts unsafe technically.

However, a safety bar should not be seen as a life-saving device, more a deterrant or reminder that you are not on the ground. If you have kids who do not sit still or recognise the dangers of being on chairlift - you may not be comfortable with them using some lifts [there are some resorts that have single seat lifts].

all resorts [worldwide] have to meet & maintain minimum safety standards throughout the resort [lifts,ski patrol, food ect].

in japan - especially for westerners, the bigger issue is accommodation. check what type of bedding and food they are offering [japanese or western style] so you know what you are in for before you book.

its an amazing country and has some really great skiing. but like all ski holidays you need to look closely at what the resort has on offer.

lisa