Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort (located in Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture; General Manager: 影山裕子) is starting up its snowmaking machines on Saturday, October 3, 2026, working toward what is once again expected to be the earliest ski resort opening in Nagano Prefecture this season, on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency's Three-Month Outlook, October is expected to see warm air settle over the country, with temperatures running high nationwide. With hot weather expected to continue, the resort will run two snowmaking machines around the clock through Tuesday, October 6, then switch to all eight machines from Wednesday, October 7 — producing roughly 450 tons of snow per day, for a total of about 6,300 cubic meters of snow over the 28 days leading up to opening.
On Saturday, October 31, two courses — the B1 Kurinoki Course and D1 Prince Slope, approximately 400 meters in total length — along with the "Ski Center Area Snowman Park," are scheduled to open. Snowmaking and artificial snowfall operations will continue after the season begins, with the resort aiming to open all 14 courses by early January next year.
*Based on the Japan Meteorological Agency's "Explanation of the Three-Month Outlook" (released September 18, 2026).
Snowmaking Overview at Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort
Start Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10:00 AM
Location: Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort — B1 Kurinoki Course, D1 Prince Slope, Ski Center Area Snowman Park
A snowmaking machine runs water over a freezing plate chilled to -25°C, freezing it and breaking it into fine particles to make snow. Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort uses eight flake-type machines (one unit producing 100 tons per day, seven units producing 50 tons per day each) to make about 450 tons of snow per day.
*Details are subject to change due to weather and other conditions.
