Japan is a powder skier/snowboarder’s dream trip. Amazing culture, delicious food, stunning hotels, relaxing hot springs, and a heaping of powder. If you’re looking to book an out-of-country ski trip, look no further than Japan.
Picking exactly where to go in Japan is where things can get a bit more complicated. Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture, is one of the most popular destinations, and that’s for a good reason. Hokkaido has great terrain and snow, several fantastic cities, and a lot of resorts to choose from.
Sadly some of those resorts are starting to earn fame for their crowds, the exact thing everyone is trying to avoid when flying over there. So if you’re hoping to book a trip to Hokkaido while avoiding lift lines at all costs, here are several resorts that will help you do that.
Hokkaido Powder Belt
Three Hokkaido ski areas are represented through the Hokkaido Powder Belt: Kamui Ski Links, Furano Ski Resort, and Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU Ski Area. With the Hokkaido Powder Belt pass you can ski at these resorts for five days in total, using each day at the area of your choice. The pass costs ¥35,000, or around $230 USD.
Kamui Ski Links
Kamui Ski Links is a fairly small ski area, offering six lifts (including a gondola), plenty of tree skiing, stunning views, great food at the base and summit of the mountain, and very few lift lines. An adult day pass costs around ¥5,300, or just around $35 USD, and there’s more than enough terrain to keep you occupied for several days. Tree skiers won’t have a hard time finding fresh stashes in the trees, even a while after the most recent storm.
Located just a 30-minute drive from Asahikawa, Kamui is a great option for those hoping to do some skiing and explore Hokkaido’s second-largest city in one trip. Stay in OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts to enjoy a ski/snowboard-focused hotel like no other. A free waxing station and dry room will keep your gear fresh throughout the entire day, and a small ski shop on the first floor means you won’t have to panic if you lose a glove or neck gaiter (I did this during my stay and was able to easily pick up another). The bountiful breakfast buffet will make sure you’re plenty sustained throughout the day, and a spa on the bottom floor of the hotel is perfect for post-skiing relaxation.
Furano Ski Resort
Furano Ski Resort is split into two sections, the Kitanomine Zone and the Furano Zone. Together they offer a fairly large resort by Japanese standards, with a high-speed cable car, gondola, and plenty of chairlifts making it easy to get around. There are plenty of trees to explore around Furano and a lot of gate-accessed terrain available for those with the proper gear and training.
The area around the resort has several great food options and plenty of winter activities if you’re hoping to take a day off from the resort, as well. Book a stay at the Prince Grand Resort Furano, built right next to the mountain, and enjoy their connected onsen after a long day on the mountain. Between 12pm and 8:45pm, the nearby Ningle Terrace offers an amazing shopping experience through a winter village of small wood cabins. The Furano Kan Kan Mura presents several great photo opportunities, with stunning lights shining in the night sky, and the Furano Snow Land offers a host of activities like snowmobiling during the day.
Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU Ski Area
Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU Ski Area offers remarkable views, a wide variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of different levels, killer powder, and very limited lift lines. Tomamu has 1 gondola and 5 chairlifts, providing access to 29 marked trails and a ton of tree skiing in between.
Multiple stunning hotels and accommodations are located at the base, including an incredible ski-through village, The Tower, the extravagant Risonare, and several delicious food options. Plus the gorgeous Ice Village with ice skating, an ice bar, an ice slide, and more makes for a great way to end a day on the mountain. Those who want to take a day off can check out Tomamu’s stunning Terrace of Frost Tree and other activities.
