Annupuri

Annupuri rides like a two-act show. Act one is the groomed fan under the gondola — wide, confidence-building, and fast when corduroy is cold. Act two is the gate-fed bowls and trees above and to either side. The snow is classic Hokkaido lightness, and the mountain’s shape corrals that snow into natural catchers that ski beautifully when the wind swings in from the Sea of Japan. With ~756 m of vertical from top lift to base, you can stitch substantial lines and still make quick resets for the next hit.

The lift layout is simple and efficient enough for the terrain. The Annupuri Gondola rises to the upper mid-mountain. From there, the Jumbo Quad #1 and pairs feed you across the ridge and toward gate entries. On bluebird mornings after a dump, locals post up for Gate 1 and Gate 2 — your portals to Osawa and the front bowl — which hold sustained fall-line with playful rollovers and perfect birch spacing. If visibility drops or the wind keeps the upper pairs on hold, Gate 8 and the lower west-side trees deliver mellow angles and surprisingly deep pockets without hikes.

Tree skiing is Annupuri’s calling card. The spacing is textbook, the pitch sits mostly in the sweet spot, and the way the gullies run means you’re often funneled back toward the resort instead of into long exits. Gate 7 (E-sawa) is a favorite on storm cycles — low entry, protected, and full of natural half-pipe shapes that keep your speed alive while it’s nuking. Snow stays cold, and when the wind refills lee aspects, you can redraw tracks well into the afternoon.

Backcountry access is serious but approachable. The Niseko Rules are posted everywhere — use the gates, carry beacon/shovel/probe, and read the daily advisories. Gate 2 to the peak saddle sees a bootpack conga line on bluebirds, with options to the front bowl and traverses toward Naka-one. Hazard awareness matters here. Terrain traps, creek walls, and cornice build-ups are real, and rescue doesn’t come quick when storms surge. Treat Annupuri’s gates like proper backcountry — partner up and keep your eyes open.

Crowd dynamics are kinder than Hirafu, but they still exist. The gondola can stack at opening on powder Saturdays, then the herd disperses between groomers and gate zones. If you’re hunting freshness, roll G1/G2 early, then pivot to G7/G8 when wind or traffic changes the game. On high-viz days, swing to the resort edge lines off the pairs — they often sit a step behind the crowd’s timing. On low-viz days, the trees ski better, and Annupuri rewards patience.

Local tips:
• Storm cycle — prioritize G7 and G8.
• Bluebird morning — G2 first, then swing west if the wind starts scraping.
• If the Jumbo #4 pair is sleeping, don’t burn time waiting — tree zones off Jumbo #2/#3 ride great and reset faster.
• Keep an eye on gate boards for closures; they can flip open late morning when winds calm.

Strong intermediates and advanced riders who love trees, natural features, and a little route-finding will be right at home. Families and mixed-ability groups also do well — the groomed footprint is forgiving, and you can split the crew between mellow pistes and sidecountry without feeling worlds apart. If you’re a park-rat or craving huge cliff bands, Annupuri isn’t that show. And if you live for party-town vibes right outside your door, you’ll probably sleep in Hirafu and day-trip here.

Annupuri’s base area is compact and chilled — think piste-side hotels and a scatter of pensions and lodges tucked in the birch. Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri is the obvious ski-in/ski-out pick, steps from the gondola, with breakfast buffets that become part of your ritual. Rooms are simple, quiet, and you can wander straight to the lifts with coffee still warming your gloves.

If your ideal afternoon ends in steam, base near the hot springs. Ikoi no Yuyado Iroha sits close to the slopes with a classic outdoor rotenburo that hits just right when it’s snowing. There are also smaller pensions and chalets along the Annupuri and Konbu Onsen roads that cost less than Hirafu equivalents and trade nightlife for hush — perfect for dawn-patrol types who want to hear the snow falling.

Traveling on a tighter budget? Look at pensions and guesthouses a few minutes off base by shuttle or car. You’ll lose a sliver of convenience but gain value and a quieter sleep. For those who want buzz at night, stay in Hirafu and cab or shuttle to Annupuri for your storm days — you get the best of both worlds without paying peak Annupuri door-step premiums.

Annupuri doesn’t scream; it cooks. The headliner is Rakuichi Soba, an intimate counter where the soba kaiseki is all heart and craft — reservations are essential. In-resort, Nook Annupuri and the Northern Resort restaurants keep you fueled with Hokkaido staples, from katsu curry to grilled local pork and Genghis Khan. Down the road toward Konbu, small izakaya and onsen eateries serve up set menus that warm you from the inside out.

Apres is mellow here. Grab a beer at the hotel lounge, soak in an onsen, and relive your line choices while the snow piles up again. If you want neon and late-night ramen, point downhill to Hirafu after dinner. Annupuri’s real “apres” is the steam rising off the outdoor baths while flakes keep falling.

Closest airport: New Chitose (CTS). From the terminal, it’s about 2 hours by car in good conditions — plan 2.5–3 hours mid-winter. Trains run to Niseko Station, then it’s ~10 minutes by taxi or bus to the base. Highway buses also link CTS, Sapporo, and Annupuri.

Driving tips: Ensure proper winter tires, expect ice on Nakayama and Bifue passes, and carry patience. Parking at base is free but limited, so arrive early on peak days. If you’re here for a week and chasing weather, a rental car makes life easy — just respect the snowbanks and give the plows space.

• Lift hours: Winter operations typically 08:30 – 16:30, with night skiing ~16:30 – 19:30 on the lower mountain in regular season.
• Gates & safety: The Niseko Rules are non-negotiable. Use gates, carry avy gear, and read daily advisories. Patrol will pull passes for rope-ducking.
• Weather patterns: Storms can be frequent, with wind holds up high. Trees ski best in low viz; bowls are for the calmer windows.
• Language & culture: English is workable at hotels and tickets, but less so for lessons. Onsens are a must — follow etiquette, no bathsuits.
• Nearby resorts: Moiwa (small, soulful, quick to refill), Niseko Village, Grand Hirafu, Hanazono — all on the same mountain if you hold the all-mountain pass.