WINTER.
WONDERLAND.

powder heaven

Some of the best quality and
largest snowfall in the world

Hokkaido is to powder skiing what Thailand is to beautiful beaches. The northernmost island of Japan is the mecca for powder seekers – its reputation built upon the staggering quantities of snow that fall every winter. Hokkaido’s ski resorts often receive in excess of 15 metres per season, however many of the resorts simply don’t measure (why bother).

It’s not just the quantity of snow, however. Hokkaido is ideally located in the path of consistent weather systems that bring cold air from Siberia across the Sea of Japan. This results in many of the Hokkaido ski resorts being absolutely blessed with snow that is renowned for being incredibly dry.

The consistency of the snow is truly like powder, and carving through a fresh 50 cm snowfall provides a unique sensation of weightlessness. It is the pinnacle of skiing – the feeling that every skier and snowboarder on the planet strives for.

Below you will find overviews of some of the island’s most popular resorts. Hokkaido also consists of many ski areas that are somewhat off the beaten track for international tourists. These include smaller resorts where you’d want to stay for 2-3 days and ski areas that are better suited for day trips.

If you’re interested in exploring some of the lesser known areas, contact us and we will be happy to introduce you to some hidden gems.

Kokusai

Sapporo Kokusai is the trendy spot where local Sapporo and Otaru folk go to play. Whilst the pisted area is relatively small, the off-piste areas are unexpectedly large. There are lots of powder stashes in amongst the trees and various gullies to explore. Even if some in your group don’t ski or snowboard, the gondola can be taken for a round trip to enjoy the scenery. On a clear day, there is a splendid view of the city of Otaru and the Sea of Japan from the summit.

Kiroro

Kiroro Resort is a destination resort with upscale facilities and infrastructure. Formerly known as Kiroro Snow World, the ski area was very aptly named. Kiroro Resort cites a statistic of 21 metres of snow per season, and some call it the capital of Japow. It caters to experts and beginners and all-ages alike; young children will have a blast in the Annie Kids Ski Academy program. Even in bad weather, the resort’s hotels and facilities have fun indoor activities and restaurants that will cater to a variety of requests.

Teine

Sapporo Teine is a great little ski resort located close to Sapporo. It caters well to families and day-tripping powder hounds who seek lines that are steep and deep. Just 40 minutes outside of the city centre, the resort features a variety of ski trails from wide, gently sloping hills to long and fast advanced courses which include two runs used for events during the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. Add Hokkaido’s characteristically light, dry snow to the resort’s varied terrain, and one finds a mountain perfect for all types of winter sports enthusiasts.

Niseko

The Niseko United Ski Area is comprised of the four connected ski areas of Hanazono, Hirafu, Niseko Village and Annupuri. It is the largest single ski resort area in Japan and features truly international ski villages with a variety of accommodation, fantastic restaurants and modern facilities to complement the epic mountain. It is suited to skiers and boarders of all ability levels. Across the four ski areas there is a large variety of groomed runs that are ideal for families, beginners and intermediates. For powder hounds, Niseko has great off-piste skiing, and lots of it!

Furano

The Furano Ski Resort is a fantastic all-rounder with ski and snowboard terrain for all ability levels, off-piste riding, and quality Central Hokkaido powder. At Furano, you’ll enjoy some amazing Hokkaido tree skiing with easy access to steeper faces and powder-filled gullies. The weather here is generally pleasant and there are more slue-sky days here than at places such as Niseko. The cold temperatures keep snow dry and when it’s on, it’s hard to beat! Add to this the distinct lack of crowds and express lifts that take you to the top of 4.5km runs in a little over ten minutes and you have a recipe for a day of fun-filled, leg-burning skiing.

Moiwa

Many people associate Niseko with the four ski areas that make up Niseko United, yet in reality the Niseko area is comprised of five. The small Moiwa ski resort is often considered to be the forgotten cousin of Niseko. However, Moiwa can be a superb place to feed your addiction for powder. With abundant Hokkaido snowfalls and just a fraction of the crowds, this resort is the perfect place to carve some fresh tracks on pristine, vacant slopes. The pisted trails are delightfully groomed, but the main event for many are the off-piste lines through the trees, and the amazing backcountry that’s a very short hike away.

Rusutsu

For fall-line deep powder tree skiing and beginner-friendly groomers, Rusutsu is one of Japan’s greatest. With an average of 13m of snow annually, Rusutsu satisfies powder-hungry skiers and riders. The great powder runs generally don’t have steep pitches or drop-offs, so it’s a great place to learn to ski or board powder or just revel in the joys of moving effortlessly through the abundant dry powder. In addition to the skiing, one of Rusutsu’s claims to fame is its unique Japanese kitsch which includes an antique merry go-round, a singing tree, and a snow-covered amusement park.

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WINTER. WONDERLAND.