knowledge is “POWDER” think deep

SKIER: YUSUKE HIROTA

The general rule with skiing is, the farther north you go, the better the snow. Well, you can’t go any farther north in Japan than Hokkaido, and the area rightfully creates the biggest buzz for people in search of deep powder. The reason for this is simple: Hokkaido consistently gets the best snow conditions, and Niseko in particular is recognized as a world-class ski resort, rivaling the long-established ski areas in Europe and North America. However, anyone thinking Hokkaido is a one-trick pony will be pleasantly surprised to find there are some great ski areas all over Japan’s north island.

Niseko gets a lot of attention, and rightfully so. It is the most international ski resort in Japan and consistently gets some of the heaviest snowfall in the world. The mountain, Mt. Annupuri (which, in Ainu, means White Mountain), is home to three ski resorts: Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village (formerly Niseko Higashiyama) and Niseko Annupuri.

Collectively they form Niseko United and share a common lift pass. The Hanazono area of Niseko Grand Hirafu is independently managed, and one of the more progressive areas on the mountain, featuring three terrain parks and the only FIS Half Pipe in Japan, which is well maintained throughout the season, and a bag jump, where you can safely practice your freestyle tricks.

Niseko Village (which is a 10-minute drive from the main Hirafu Village area) also has nice facilities and a lot of activities. Niseko Annupuri keeps the lowest profile of the three, but has some nice areas that can be less crowded. Other nearby resorts are Niseko Moiwa and Niseko Weiss. The lifts are no longer running at Weiss, but cat tours service the area. While a few other resorts may challenge Niseko’s claim to the best powder in Japan, there is no doubt Niseko has the best, and widest, selection of restaurants and accommodations in Japan.

The infrastructure is well organized, with efficient bus service to/from Sapporo and New Chitose Airport and a shuttle bus that takes visitors to the various resorts. On one of those rare midseason clear days, the view of Mt. Yotei from the slopes is the quintessential image of skiing in Japan.

(0136) 58-2080 https://annupuri.info/winter/english

Dec. 3 - May 7 8:30 - 16:30 (16:30 - 19:30)

1 DAY TICKET Adults ¥5,600 Kids ¥3,300

By Train: 120 minutes from Sapporo Station to Niseko Station

ACCESS

By Car: 120 minutes from Sapporo City and New Chitose Airport

(0136) 44-2211 www.niseko-village.com

Dec. 3 - Apr. 2 8:30 - 16:30 (16:30 - 19:00)

1 DAY TICKET Adults ¥6,200 Youth ¥4,700 Kids ¥3,800

By Train: 120 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kutchan Station

ACCESS

By Car: 120 minutes from Sapporo City and New Chitose Airport

(0136) 22-0109 www.grand-hirafu.jp

Dec. 3 - May 7 8:30 - 16:30 (16:30 - 19:00)

1 DAY TICKET Adults ¥6,600 Kids ¥4,000

ACCESS

By Train: 120 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kutchan Station By Car: 130 minutes from Sapporo City and 130 minutes from New Chitose Airport

(0136) 21-6688 https://hanazononiseko.com

Dec. 3 - Apr. 9 8:30 - 16:30 (16:30 - 19:00)

1 DAY TICKET Adults ¥6,600 Kids ¥4,200

By Train: 120 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kutchan Station

ACCESS

By Car: 120 minutes from Sapporo City and New Chitose Airport

(0136) 46-3111

Rusutsu is more than a good day trip from Niseko. It’s an excellent all-round mountain with 37 courses over three mountains: Mt. Isola, East Mountain and West Mountain. Powder lovers will love the big valleys full of deep tree runs funneling down to the modern, efficient lifts, and everyone will enjoy the views of the back side of Mt. Yotei and the quieter alternative to bustling Niseko. The skiin/ski-out Rusutsu Resort Hotel is the most convenient place to stay with hot springs, day care, fireworks during Christmas and New Year and a variety of great activities.

(0135) 34-7111

Kiroro is a relatively new (opened in 1992) ski resort just 30 kilometers west of Sapporo. The resort has great facilities, some amazing views of the Japan Sea and the natural surroundings and gets a lot of snow from mid-December until early May. Kiroro makes up for its lack of challenging terrain by offering a few powder pockets and plenty of gentle slopes for beginners and children. The "Powder Zone" opens middle of January to middle of March. Kiroro also has one of the best base lodges in Japan, complete with a hot spring to soak away the day’s bumps and bruises and an adjacent hotel with good restaurants.

Rusutsu, Hokkaido

(0115) 98-4511

If you ski or snowboard, Sapporo is hard to beat. Residents can get a few quick runs just 15 minutes from downtown at Sapporo Bankei. However, many families make the one-hour drive out to “Kokusai,” which offers more choices for beginners and intermediate skiers and has a nice park. Although this is a day-trip resort, it does attract a spattering of international guests who find it hard to stay in the city when snow is falling. Most will be pleasantly surprised as this coastal resort gets its fair share of powder days and offers some varied, albeit fairly short, runs and a small, but decent park. Night skiing is not available.

Akaigawa, Hokkaido

(0116) 82-6000

Nov. 19 - Apr 2 9:00 - 21:00 (16:00 - 21:00)

If someone mentions the Winter Olympics in Japan, you’ll undoubtedly think of the 1998 Nagano Olympics. Yet 26 years earlier, Sapporo hosted its own Winter Games at a resort just 30 minutes from downtown Sapporo. Yet, what might be most surprising is this resort, Sapporo Teine, offers some steep and deep powder fun for intermediate and advanced riders. The offpiste terrain is up in the Teine Highland area, accessible without having to duck ropes or elude the patrol. The Teine Olympia is a kinder, gentler area, which has a lively park scene. Night skiing available until 9 p.m.

(0156) 64-4121 www.sahoro.co.jp

Dec. 10 - Apr. 9 9:00 - 18:00 (15:00 -18:00)

Sahoro is a well-run resort that caters to families. There are 17 nicely groomed courses, some “semi-backcountry” and a terrain park. Like Tomamu, it’s a place where you can have fun whether you are a skier or not, with lots of activities. Two all-inclusive hotels service Sahoro Resort: The Sahoro Resort Hotel, an attractive luxury hotel, and the Club Med Sahoro. English ski lessons are available and lots of organized fun for the whole family. Sahoro is not for the budget traveler, but makes for a great family getaway.

(0167) 58-1111 www.snowtomamu.jp

Dec. 1 - Apr. 2 9:00 - 18:00 (16:00-18:00)

Tomamu has excellent facilities and a beautiful location. Many courses are suited for beginners, yet a challenging double black diamond course and cat-ski tours will challenge advanced riders. Tomamu is a destination in itself with a plethora of ways to entertain the whole family. There’s a good selection of restaurants, an indoor wave pool, Kids Park, Ice Village and a variety of spa and relaxation options. The resort has also expanded the Family Adventure area and connected the two mountains.

(0167) 22-1111 www.princehotels.co.jp/newfurano

Nov. 26 - May 7 8:30 - 19:30 (16:30 -19:30)

Central Hokkaido's Furano Resort is known for blue skies, yet manages nearly nine meters of snow each year. There are two sides to the mountain, serviced by a 101-person cable car (Japan’s fastest). The nearby Tokachi Range is a popular backcountry playground. The ski-in/ ski-out New Furano Prince Hotel has a new hot springs facility. Join the Host Program and get a tour from a local or a bus tour from January to March to Lake Shikarebetsu’s ice village and bathe in ice bathhouses or enjoy a drink at the ice bar built on the frozen lake.

ACCESS Bus or car access is recommended: 60 minutes from Asahikawa Airport to Furano Station

(0166) 72-2311 www.kamui-skilinks.com

Mid of Dec. - Late Mar. 9:00 - 17:00

Kamui Ski Links is a resort run “by skiers, for skiers.” Those who enjoy powder and tree skiing will understand why this little resort 20 kilometers outside of Asahikawa has so many admirers. Management has no restrictions on tree skiing and has even left several courses in which to play ungroomed. On top of that, the snow quality is excellent. You may find yourself in some short lines for the lifts on weekends, but on weekdays it is nothing but fresh lines down the hill. Be sure to warm up by the fireplace at Trattoria & Pizzeria 751 at the top of the gondola.