Ski in Japan : Hokkaido the Powder Factory
Many of you already know it, some have been there, many talk about it … And too many would like to go there !!!
Hokkaido, Island of Japan in the far North, almost on the border with Siberia, has become a Powder – Mecca in the last 10 years.
It was “discovered” by Skiers Jp Auclair and Chris Benchetler around 2008, who, attracted by the amount of snow and the very playful terrain, decided to film important Ski-Movies there, then returning every year.
Since then, Hokkaido has been attracting Ski and Snowboard Freeride enthusiasts from all over the world, with its famous snowfall every winter. Also complicit bad winters in all Hemispheres (from the Alps to Canada to the southern hemisphere, we have all experienced periods of no snow in alternate phases), this small island has been able to hold on, thanks to the Siberian currents that bring Cold and Snow, and has earned the title of “Powder Factory”.
And in fact it is not uncommon to feel like the child protagonist of Wolly Wonka in the Chocolate Factory, but that this is all covered in white!
Let’s try to Answer some Curiosities and Questions about the Ski and Snowboard Trip in Hokkaido, from the Experience of our past Ski Trips ince 2011.
HOW TO ARRIVE ?
You can choose to fly from Tokyo to Sapporo International Airport, the capital of Hokkaido Prefecture and famous for the 1972 Winter Olympics. The flight is short, about 1 hour. This is also the best choice to take advantage, at the end of the ski snowboard trip, to do at least one day in Tokyo to visit the city. But if you really don’t care, you can also fly directly to Sapporo from your city (depending on airline routes).
From Sapporo then you move to the island of Hokkaido by car, paying attention to very important details, such as driving on the right, the icy roads and the international driving license necessary for driving.
ALONE OR IN GROUP ?
We really advise against arriving unprepared in these areas.
So why not rely on professionals and leave with no stress? Many want to make this trip every year but find it hard to find someone to follow them. The solution is our Group Travel, designed for skiers and snowboarders at the same level and with a small group (small group = great fun :-)), but above all with an expert and prepared Tour Leader who will follow you from the start of the ski trip, and will take care of the whole organization of the Travel on site.
For those who want to move independently, or already have their own group and want to leave free, we have the option of the Independent Free Travel: leave as and when you want, together we build the itinerary and the content of the journey. Thanks to our advice and the help of our collaborators on site you will never be alone!
Our Local Guides can take you on Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Tours, Snowmobiling and Catskiing with the Snow Cat: you will not get bored!
WHAT ABOUT THE MOUNTAINS AND THE TERRAIN?
Talking about mountains in Hokkaido is perhaps a bit exaggerated, especially for us that are used to the Alps. In Hokkaido you can ski on altitudes that rarely exceed 1,000 meters above sea level. The highest mountain is Asahidake, at 2,290 meters, a volcano that can also be skied and ridden with skins.
In Hokkaido you can ski mainly in the woods and the slopes are very gentle, rarely exceeding 40 degrees: if you are a steep lover go elsewhere :-). This is compensated by the abundance of snow in one of the most playful skiable terrains on the planet. Fun is guaranteed with natural jumps and pillows immersed in the Powder.
WHEN TO GO ?
January and February are the months for Hokkaido. Before it is not advisable as the terrain may not yet be completely covered. And already after February spring makes itself felt. In March it is still possible to ski, indeed it is a good period but only for backcountry ski touring or splitboard on the numerous Volcanoes of the Island (Asahidake, Kurodake, Yotei, etc …). January is the perfect month, but also the most popular and crowded.
WHERE TO GO?
Hokkaido is divided into two large areas. The Sapporo Area and Central Hokkaido.
The first, the Sapporo Area is the best known, busiest and the one where it snows the most. Here we find the districts of Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro and Sapporo Teine. Niseko is by far the best known and most developed, but also the most crowded. Moving North in about 3-4 hours by car, you arrive at the most characteristic area of ​​Central Hokkaido. Much less crowded than the previous one, with colder temperatures but with less rainfall. We absolutely recommend you to spend at least 3 days in this area! Here we find the ski areas of Furano, Asahidake, Tomamu and Kurodake. And do not miss a day with the skins in the Daisetsuzan Tokachidake National Park, the largest National Park of Japan, better accompanied by a Guide.
WHAT TO DO? LIFT OR BACKCOUNTRY?
Year after year more and more people are practicing Freeride Ski and Snowboard, and more and more are choosing to spend a week in Hokkaido hunting for Powder. If your intention is to ski only with lifts, well you can be a little disappointed, because competition is high, especially in the most famous areas such as Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano. But you just have to put the skins on to leave everyone behind and find your own private corner of Untracked Powder Snow. You are warned!
ONLY SKI ? NO!
The good thing of a Ski Trip in Japan is that unlike many other places, there is also History and Culture there. Therefore it would be really a waste to dedicate exclusively 10 days to skiing. A visit to the of Sapporo City, perhaps during the Snow Festival time to admire the imposing snow sculptures, or get lost in the glittering and hyper-technological neighborhoods of Tokyo, or enter the workshop of a craftsman, or attend the Tea Ceremony … Also these are the memories that will make your Ski Trip in Japan unforgettable!
Watch the video of our ski trip in Hokkaido here:
TRAVEL WITH VIAGGI SPORT!
WANT MORE INFO ABOUT THIS TRIP? JUST CONTACT US!
Comments