Snow Park Yeti, a ski resort in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, opened for the 2026–2027 season on Friday, October 23, 2026. The resort is operated by PICA Co., Ltd. (Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture) of the Fuji Kyuko Group. According to the operator's own research, this is the 28th consecutive year that it has been the first outdoor ski resort in Japan to open.
This season, Yeti has adopted a new theme, "a hub of snow culture, born at Mount Fuji." The resort aims to go beyond being a ski area and become a place where winter-related things, experiences and people come together, and where visitors can encounter new experiences and information. As the first step, the opening event "Yeti First Snow Day" was held.
About 500 Snowboarders and Skiers Take Their First Runs
Right up to the opening, the resort faced difficult conditions, including unseasonably warm weather and stormy wind and rain. After repeated slope preparation and adjustment, it welcomed the winter season early on the southern foot of Mount Fuji.
The weather on opening day was sunny, with a temperature of 12°C. About 500 skiers and snowboarders came to enjoy Japan's earliest season start. At 10:00 AM, a balloon release was held in time with a guest DJ's set and a countdown led by the guest DJ. The set was based on the "Yeti x Utaten (イエティ×うたてん) Slope Playlist," a collection of songs people want to hear in winter and on the slopes. Skiers and snowboarders in colorful costumes set off all at once, and the 2026–2027 season got off to a lively start. Susono City's mascot character Susonon (すそのん), the hero idol group THE超BOYS (The Super Boys) and Yeti's mascot character Yeti-kun (イエティくん) also appeared, waving to see off the visitors heading out for their first runs and adding to the excitement.
The first visitor of the season was a man from Minamiuonuma, Niigata Prefecture. He said with a smile, "Happy New Year! I couldn't wait for the snow season to arrive, so I've been waiting in the parking lot since noon yesterday. I'll be sleeping in my car here for a while, so I'll be in their care."
A Slope Built Over 14 Days of Round-the-Clock Snowmaking
Snowmaking began on Friday, October 9. The ICS (Ice Crush System), which can make snow regardless of the outside temperature, ran 24 hours a day for 14 days. By opening day, it had produced a slope about 1,000 m long and about 3 m wide, with a snow depth of 30 cm.
From a Start Ceremony to a Day of Encountering Winter Culture
This year, alongside the annual mass start and the costume sliding campaign, the event combined experiences and exhibits by companies, information from other ski resorts, and music content. It was held not just as a first-run event but as an occasion to get an early look at this season's new products, services and ways to enjoy the snow.
The venue featured experience booths from winter sports–related companies, DJ sets based on the "Yeti x Utaten (イエティ×うたてん) Slope Playlist," an idol performance, and Shizuoka oden served to participants. By combining music, entertainment and food with snow culture, the event showed many different sides of winter.
Going forward, Yeti plans to expand its collaboration with companies, brands and local communities. Starting from Japan's earliest opening, it intends to share new ways to enjoy winter and the appeal of snow culture from Mount Fuji to the rest of the country.
2026–2027 Season Information
- Season: Friday, October 23, 2026 to Sunday, March 28, 2027
- Operations may be suspended or the season shortened due to weather or poor snow conditions.
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM on weekdays, weekends and holidays
- There are some dates without night operation. Check the operating calendar on the official website.
- There is no all-night operation.
- Address: 2428 Fujiwara, Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture (southern foot of Mount Fuji, elevation 1,300–1,450 m)
- Access by car:
- About 20 minutes from Susono IC on the Tomei Expressway via the Minami Gaishu Road
- About 30 minutes from Shin-Fuji IC on the Shin-Tomei Expressway via Prefectural Route 88
- Access by train and bus: Take a Fuji Kyuko route bus from JR Gotemba Station, Fuji Station or Mishima Station
