John LaConte skis Ani Ski Resort.
John LaConte skis Ani Ski Resort.

Vail Daily reporter John LaConte recorded a “Vail Daily on the Hill” on the slopes of Ani Ski Resort in Japan’s Akita Prefecture while staying at the Anaba Lodge this past weekend. Despite the snow being not-so-ideal in the further north Hokkaido region, John notes that the snow on January 25, 2025, at Ani was quite amazing and creamy.

Ani Ski Resort, located on Mt. Moriyoshi, has just two chairlifts and one gondola, but the terrain accessible from the top is bountiful and finding fresh powder lines is usually pretty doable if you’re willing to look.

If you’re willing to hire a guide and strap on some skins (Anaba Lodge has their own guides, ranging from ¥75,000-¥100,000 (≈US$510-$680) for a flat daily rate of up to 5 people), you’ll almost certainly be able to ride some untracked snow. Plus the lodge itself, which is run as a pension style full service ski lodge, behaves as a warm and welcoming home base after a long day on the mountain (sauna & cold plunge, great food, full bar, and wonderful crew of staff).

Obviously conditions aren’t always guaranteed to be this good, but Anaba Lodge and the Ani Ski Resort (which is featured on the Indy Pass) can be a great area to find some top-notch powder laps.

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