Hokkaido is Japan's second largest island, in the north of Japan. It is a prime destination for ski touring enthusiasts. With its cold, snowy winters, conditions are ideal for ski touring and winter sports in general. With its snow-capped mountains and spectacular scenery, Hokkaido offers a variety of ski touring destinations for all levels of experience.
Planning a trip to Japan? A trip to Hokkaido? Here are some of the best ski touring destinations in Hokkaido:
Ski touring in Niseko
Niseko is a popular ski resort in western Hokkaido. It's a 2-hour drive from Sapporo, the island's capital. It is also accessible by transport from Sapporo airport, for example, to your accommodation.
It offers a variety of itineraries for all levels of skier. It is also an excellent starting point for ski touring in the mountains. The area is well equipped for ski touring activities. International guide agencies are available to help skiers navigate the mountains and find the best routes.
Ski touring in Furano
Furano is another popular ski resort in central Hokkaido. It takes between 2 and 3 hours to reach this resort from the airport, depending on the means of transport. The area is famous for its views of the Daisetsuzan mountains and offers a number of routes for skiers of all abilities. The area is also famous for its lavender fields, which can be seen from the top of the slopes.
As well as downhill skiing, Furano is also an excellent place for ski touring. International guide agencies are also available to help skiers explore this mountain.
Ski touring in Asahidake
Asahidake is the highest mountain in Hokkaido, with an altitude of over 2,000 metres. This area is very popular with ski tourers due to its beautiful scenery and challenging ski routes. The mountain can be reached by cable car. But ski tourers can also get there on foot and explore the unmarked routes.
Just make sure you're properly equipped for these backcountry skiing routes.
Ski touring at Mount Yotei
Mount Yotei is a majestic volcano that looks just like Mount Fuji. It's a Mecca for ski touring in Hokkaido. It is one of the 100 best-known mountains in Japan. With 1800m of D+, and another 200m possible to descend to the bottom of the crater and climb back up.
The terrain is deep powder. The skiers have big, wide freeride skis on their feet. It's a challenge that's well worth the effort for ski touring stalwarts.
Ski touring at Mount Tokachi
Mount Tokachi is another popular mountain for ski touring in Hokkaido. This region offers a variety of routes for skiers of all abilities and is famous for its natural hot springs. Once they have completed their journey, they can find hot baths (onsens) to relax in.
Touring skiers can access the mountain from a number of starting points. A number of international guide agencies are also available here to help skiers on the ski routes for backcountry skiing.
Ski touring at Kamui Ski Links
Kamui Ski Links is a ski resort in northern Hokkaido. The area is famous for its spectacular scenery and offers a variety of routes for skiers of all abilities. As well as downhill skiing, Kamui Ski Links is also an excellent place for ski touring. International guide agencies are available to help skiers navigate the mountains and find the best routes for backcountry skiing.
Ski touring at Sapporo Teine
Sapporo Teine is another popular ski resort near the city of Sapporo. The area offers many routes for skiers of all abilities. But you can also find ski touring routes for adventurers looking for new challenges.
Ski tourers can access the mountain from a number of starting points. Several international guide agencies are available to help skiers find the best routes.
With the capital nearby, you shouldn't have any trouble finding accommodation. You can also enjoy the city and the many activities it has to offer.
What else can you do besides skiing?
You can also find a whole host of activities other than ski touring. You can enjoy hot-tubbing, dog-sledding, snowshoeing or snowmobiling. Don't hesitate to take a walk and visit Hokkaido, you'll find some magnificent places that will leave you with beautiful memories.
As a general rule, it is strongly recommended that you are accompanied by a mountain professional. This could be a ski instructor specialising in off-piste skiing or a mountain guide. A number of organisations offer the services of such professionals, and organise ski trips to Japan, on Hokkaido Island, such as PowderWeGo.
PowderWeGo is an agency specialising in off-piste skiing, heli-skiing, ski-sailing and ski touring. It can take you to the four corners of the world.
You can find some itineraries for the different destinations in our blog articles. These include Mount Yotei, Mount Tokachidake and Mount Asahidake. You can also find information on how to get to Niseko in one of our articles.
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