Asahidake

If you measure a resort by how long fresh snow lasts, Asahidake is almost unfair. On storm cycles — which here is just called “Tuesday” — you can find untracked lines days after the snow stops. The ropeway drops you into a high alpine bowl with options that fan out like fingers: steep fall-line chutes, open powder fields, and natural gullies that collect snow like a catcher's mitt.

The top station opens to a short traverse, from which you can drop into wide alpine slopes that roll into trees. The pitch starts steep enough to get your heart racing, then mellows into playful terrain where you can link turns between snow ghosts. These frost-covered trees are more than just beautiful — they shelter the snow from wind, creating silky pockets even in clear weather.

On big storm days, visibility up top can vanish in a heartbeat. That’s when the lower mountain’s tree zones come into their own. The glades are spacious, with a rhythm that lets you flow without constant speed checks. The trick is knowing where to pop out to hit the return track back to the base without a long skate — miss it, and you’ll be breaking trail in waist-deep snow.

For those willing to hike, the options multiply. Short skins open up sidebowls and ridgelines that rarely see traffic. Longer tours can take you towards the summit crater, where the volcano’s steam vents remind you you’re riding on living earth. Just remember: this is avalanche terrain, unmanaged and unpatrolled. Gear, knowledge, and a partner who knows their stuff are mandatory.

The ropeway runs every 20 minutes, and with only one lift, the pace is refreshingly unhurried. You’ll spend more time riding than queueing, and the snow quality stays pristine well into the afternoon. It’s the opposite of the “tracked-out-by-10am” problem — here, powder days linger.

Asahidake is for riders who want raw, unfiltered Japow. Advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders will thrive here, especially those confident in avalanche terrain. Splitboarders and backcountry skiers will see it as a gateway to endless objectives. Strong intermediates with off-piste experience can enjoy the mellower tree lines, but complete beginners should look elsewhere — there’s no gentle learning zone here.

You won’t find a neon-lit base village here. Instead, Asahidake Onsen, a small hot spring hamlet at the foot of the ropeway, offers a handful of lodges and ryokans. These range from rustic family-run stays with tatami rooms and hearty Hokkaido dinners, to slightly more modern alpine inns with western bedding. Every spot comes with the bonus of soaking in mineral-rich onsen water while snow piles up outside.

For more choice, the nearby town of Higashikawa is just a 30-minute drive down the mountain. It’s a charming base with cafés, bakeries, and a few boutique stays that cater to both skiers and photographers (the Daisetsuzan range is a lens magnet). Here, you can find affordable pensions alongside stylish modern guesthouses with views of the peak.

If you’re after urban comforts or a nightlife hit after days in the backcountry, Asahikawa — Hokkaido’s second-largest city — is about an hour away. It has a broad range of hotels, from budget business options to high-end chains, plus a serious food scene built around its famous miso ramen.

At the base of the ropeway, there’s a simple cafeteria serving Japanese curry, ramen, and coffee — the kind of no-fuss, fuel-up-and-go meals that taste better after 800 vertical metres of powder turns. Some of the onsen lodges also serve meals to non-guests if booked in advance, often featuring local venison, Hokkaido vegetables, and fresh dairy.

Higashikawa has small but excellent dining options, from artisan bakeries perfect for pre-ski snacks to izakayas grilling up yakitori. Asahikawa’s food scene is the big draw: steaming bowls of its signature ramen, fresh seafood flown in from Hokkaido’s coasts, and bars pouring local sake in cozy, low-lit rooms. Après here is less about partying until 2am and more about swapping powder stories over a good drink.

The closest airport is Asahikawa Airport, about 45 minutes away by car. From there, you can rent a vehicle — highly recommended for flexibility — or catch a combination of buses and trains, though public transport connections can be infrequent in winter. If you drive, be ready for icy mountain roads and carry snow chains.

From Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport, it’s a 3-4 hour trip by car or rail/bus combo. Many riders build Asahidake into a Hokkaido road trip, linking it with Furano, Kamui, or Tokachidake.

• Lift Hours: Ropeway runs roughly 9am–4pm, every 20 minutes.
• Avalanche Safety: No patrol-managed avalanche control — carry beacon, shovel, probe, and know how to use them.
• Weather Patterns: Frequent storms and whiteouts; check forecasts before committing to high alpine lines.
• Language: Limited English at the base; more in nearby towns.
• Unique Factor: Skiing on the flanks of an active volcano, with steam vents and a high-alpine setting unlike anywhere else in Japan.
• Nearby Resorts: Furano, Kamui Links, Tokachidake.