The Asahidake ski area in Hokkaido Japan is a heaven for all powderhounds. It’s essentially a backcountry ski resort that has the luxury of being serviced by a cable car.

The Asahidake skiing is definitely not suited to beginners or intermediates as there are only four groomed trails, with all other areas being a playground for powder skiing.  Generally the Asahidake ski “resort” is very uncrowded, so there are plenty of freshies just begging to be ripped up.
Asahidake is the tallest mountain in Hokkaido, standing at over 2,290m high. It is located in the impressive Daisetsu Mountain range which comprises of numerous 2,000 metre peaks spread over a 50km distance.
This 230,000 ha area has been designated a National Park that offers visitors spectacular scenery, incredible back powder country skiing and beautiful hiking trails featuring stunning scenery in summer. The 101 person Mt. Asahidake ropeway is the gateway to the park. It climbs from the Sanroku Station up to the Sancho Station 1,600m above sea level. In winter the landscape is bucketed by fine dry powder snow as far as the eye can see.
Asahidake receives an abundance of snowfall estimated at 14 metres per year on average, so the powder is topped up regularly. Generally the ski area is very uncrowded so you don’t have to share the fresh lines with many others. The limited lifting capacity of the mountain also controls the numbers of riders on the hill. As there is only one lift, the freshies disappear very quickly in the areas near the top of the lift, but as you fan out further, there are still lots of fresh tracks on obvious lines at lunch time. And if you’re prepared to traverse or go for a hike, there are freshies for days.
The ski and snowboard terrain at Asahidake is smokin’ – literally considering that Mt Asahidake is an active volcano with lots of fumaroles emitting steam and gas.

Why Ski or Snowboard at Asahidake, Japan?

It is generally super quiet at Asahidake, with only about 20-30 skiers and snowboarders visiting each day. This makes skiers very happy, with fresh tracks still to be found at the end of the day. So get to Asahidake before everyone else discovers it!

Asahidake is unpatrolled back-country skiing and is heaven on sticks (or a board) for any powderhound. Most of the ski area is an off-piste paradise that is suitable for advanced and expert riders and those that love tree skiing. Asahidake only has a couple of courses (as the Japanese like to call them), however rather than “runs” they are really trails or cat-tracks.

The top part of the mountain is somewhat open with short steep pitches in places. There are also some rocks in case you feel the need to huck. This flows into some nicely spaced tree skiing where you can pick a line that takes your fancy. After you’re 2/3s of the way down, it’s advisable to stay on the trails because it flattens out and there’s an area that leads to a creek which is treacherous to cross.

Accommodation and Services:

3 Star Accommodations

4 Star Accommodations

Transfers

Lift Passes/Ski Hire/Ski School