Within the heart of Hokkaido we discover the chance for bottomless powder and nostalgic chairlifts that ship newbie & skilled skiers and snowboarders to a panorama of fluffy powder and stunning views.
Right here is an summary:
Earlier than you board the chairlift at one of Asahikawa’s ski resorts, you may be shocked. Stunned by the for European and North American ridiculously low-cost costs:
For instance, at Pippu Ski Space a Day Ticket prices lower than 20€ – and that features a go to to the Onsen subsequent to it!
A Household cross for one grownup and one little one incl. the Onsen go to prices precisely the identical, and a Season Cross at Pippu prices a mere 275€ – for comparability, in the event you go ski in Vail or Aspen a one Day Ticket on the Weekend will value almost that a lot. Evidently, going snowboarding in Japan may be very inexpensive, in the event you go for a couple of days and even the entire season, you’ll not have to take out a mortgage the identical approach you may need to in the event you go snowboarding in Switzerland, Austria or the USA.
Arriving in Asahikawa
On a wet day final autumn I acquired an Electronic mail which invited me to go snowboarding within the Asahikawa space. I like snowboarding, I like Japan and being invited to go snowboarding within the house of deep powder within the prime season is certainly a dream come true. I didn’t lose a second to answer, and on a sunny day in late January I boarded my aircraft in Vaasa which might take me first to Helsinki, then onwards to Tokyo and Asahikawa.
In Asahikawa I caught the final Bus to the middle, from which it was 5 minute stroll to my Resort.
After I arrive in Japan my night routine is easy: Go eat Ramen, head to the Onsen after which off to mattress.
Fortunately Ramen Santōka, the most effective Ramen Restaurant in Asahikawa, was nonetheless open and was not out of soup (which occurs, as I needed to expertise later that week!) and so I sat down with a scrumptious bowl of Ramen and was in culinary heaven. After that I made use of the Onsen on the Resort, which was so enjoyable that I slept incredible.
The subsequent morning I used to be able to discover Asahikawa on foot. I’ve spent a couple of days on this vibrant metropolis final fall, which you’ll be able to examine right here, so it was good to see town in white with heaps of snow.
Within the afternoon I then met my companions for this journey: Bernard, Jordan, Chihiro, Yuki and Yohei. Collectively we went via this system of the subsequent few days after which went to have dinner collectively on the native Craft Beer Brewery Taisetsu Ji Beer.
This can be a Jingisukan Restaurant, the place you grill your personal meals. It’s fairly common in Japan and positively one thing each traveler to Japan ought to strive!
As now we have a candy tooth, Jordan took us to her favourite Café: Change Taste. This can be a should go to while you’re in Asahikawa as not solely is it fully distinctive with a beautiful décor, in addition they make scrumptious truffles and desserts.
Pippu Ski Space: Straightforward Facet Nation with a standard Onsen end
You recognize it’s gonna be an excellent day when huge, fluffy snowflakes are pouring down from heaven.
We went to discover Pippu Ski Space immediately and after a couple of heat up laps on the blue and crimson slopes our small group went into the facet nation simply off the massive chair elevate. Even within the afternoon we nonetheless discovered some candy pockets of Japow (Japan Powder) and coming again onto the Strawberry slope everybody had huge smiles – time to go for one other sidecountry run!
Like several good ski resort you’ve got a couple of Lunch choices at Pippu, and I went for the native trout and rice bowl and a Miso soup. The trout for this dish was caught close by, and the rice was from Hokkaido – a scrumptious and wholesome dish which had me prepared for a protracted afternoon of extra snowboarding!
I visited Pippu later this week by myself and placed on my skins to go off into the straightforward powder tree runs which begin only a 10 minute hike up the mountain.
The panorama right here was magical, like out of a Studio Ghibli film: Lovely bushes coated in heaps of snow, and a serene panorama coated on this great dry, fluffy snow which skiers and snowboarders journey to Japan for from throughout the globe.
These powder runs are simple, enjoyable, secure and you find yourself again on the slope after your forest run, from the place you may take a chair elevate again as much as head into the forest once more.
Funnily sufficient I met two Instagram mates from Finland that day at Pippu – picture our frequent shock after we realized that we meet 8.000 km from house as an alternative of a Finnish ski slope!
The Bottomline is that Pippu Ski Space is incredible for each absolute newcomers and extra superior skiers who need easy accessibility to the facet nation.
Pippu has a Ski College and through my visits the native college students have been snowboarding with their colleges right here, and I completely beloved their laughter of pleasure once they have been snowboarding down the slopes.
The climate can change shortly all through the day, from snowing closely to sunshine and much views in minutes.
The Bus trip to Pippu prices 650 Yen and takes about an hour from Asahikawa, and of course the most effective factor about Pippu Ski Space – other than the snowboarding – is that you may go soaking within the Onsen subsequent to the ski resort, actually a 2-minute stroll from the primary chair elevate! I’d go right here with the household in a coronary heart beat, or with mates who need to ski simple powder runs with out skinning up the mountain.
Snowboarding on the Dwelling of Fluffy Powder: Kamui Ski Hyperlinks
Kamui Ski Hyperlinks is the most important ski resort round Asahikawa – however the day cross prices a mere 23€ and a few cents! This will get you entry to the Gondola and 5 double chair lifts, in addition to their 25 groomed, super-wide slopes.
There’s a number of issues which Kamui is renown for – their fluffy, dry powder snow is one, of which they get on common Eight meters per 12 months. A lot powder means there’s superb facet nation runs at Kamui, and in the event you head to the Northern Slopes you may expertise it even inside bounds of the ski resort. This ski resort has a handful of ungroomed powder runs inbound, which implies you may entry them from the slopes and are available out again on the Gondola.
I attempted some of their extra superior black runs via the bushes, they usually have been tremendous enjoyable and never too arduous – superb for individuals who need to be taught powder snowboarding in secure circumstances.
Talking of studying: We had Ryoji Mizutani with us within the morning, one of the official Kamui ski guides. He confirmed us the most effective runs of this little gem, and answered all our questions. I met Ryoji later within the week once I was skitouring on Sanpou-San within the Tokachi Mountain Vary of the Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park – extra on that in a bit – and he’s an exquisite information, who in the summertime is engaged on his personal Lavender Farm!
There’s a number of busses going from Asahikawa to Kamui each morning, the bus trip takes round an hour and it’s 700 Yen one-way. Remember to be on time – although in case the bus is full, there’ll arrive a substitute bus some 10 minutes later.
The bus leaves from Kamui within the afternoon beginning at 14 o’clock and takes once more an hour and prices the identical. In the event you go by bus it’s best to have 700 Yen in cash with you, or a 1.000 Yen invoice – that’s the most important invoice which is accepted, and also you don’t wanna be the foreigner with a 10.000 Yen invoice who can’t pay his bus trip. 😁
Kamui ought to be in your must-visit checklist while you head to Japan to ski.
It’s has a mere 92.000 guests per 12 months, which implies even on a busy Sunday you received’t keep in line to the Gondola longer than 5 minutes. Or in the event you’re there by your self, even shorter – as they’ve a line for singles who’re glad to affix a not totally occupied Gondola. That is one thing I want European ski resorts additionally would provide, as a result of nothing is extra annoying than standing in a protracted line and seeing Gondolas not using at capability!
Did I point out the superb snow and the super-wide slopes, which imply that even on a busy Sunday it feels such as you’re there on a Monday morning? The nice facet nation and attractive Pizzas on the Prime? A Fischer Rental Base which helps you to lease the most recent gear?
Good – now you’ll go to Kamui Ski Hyperlinks in your subsequent journey to Japan!
With the Gondola up Asahidake
Mount Asahi (旭岳, Asahi-dake) is a mountain positioned close to the city of Higashikawa and the tallest mountain on Hokkaido with an elevation of 2.291 m.
There’s a Gondola which operates each 20 minutes in winter, and it will probably get VERY busy on powder days – so that you need to be there early to keep away from the traces. I visited the mountain with Jordan and our Information Suzuki Yoshihiro.
Suzuki-San took us to the fumaroles, then we had a tea break on the Asahidake Refuge (旭岳石室) after which skied again to the Sugatami prime station. I had all my skitouring gear with me, so Suzuki-San and me went down the Intermediate course to the underside station of the ropeway. Clearly alongside the best way we headed into the secure facet nation, and JAPOW was loved with huge smiles!
Asahidake has groomed runs from the Sugatami prime station again all the way down to the Ropeway, and the simply accessible facet nation is what attracts heaps of skiers from throughout the globe and Japan right here.
Nonetheless, it’s best to solely head right here into the powder facet nation when you’ve got a beacon, shovel, probe and ideally even an Avalanche Airbag with you, and know find out how to use them.
The highest of Asahidake can rise up to 13 m of snow per 12 months, and it’s a severe mountain – the day I visited it was -15°C, and with windchill it felt like -26°C – and this was on the backside, so on the prime station it was considerably colder – and rather a lot windier, too! Moreover as a result of of the straightforward entry and the heaps of snow there’s typically a excessive avalanche hazard, so don’t go alone and by no means with out the best gear!
As we had each the gear and time we went up as soon as extra, and once more it’s superb how circumstances can change in a brief quantity of time and elevation: Whereas it have been white-out circumstances with excessive winds on the prime, a couple of hundred meters down the mountain there was sunshine and nice views.
I completely beloved this little tour to Asahidake, additionally as we stayed within the Bear Monte Resort proper subsequent to the Ropeway Station, which had huge rooms and a super-tasty Buffet.
Between the Resort and the Ropeway Station is the Asahidake Customer Centre which is a stupendous Museum – and free, too! I discovered rather a lot in it, and obtained impressed about future journeys to the area – plan in a go to while you head to Asahidake.
On my relaxation day I went to go to the beautiful city of Biei, which is well-known for the Shirogane Blue Pond, the Shirahige waterfall, Seven Stars Tree and of course the Zerubu-no-Oka flower fields – which now within the winter have been merely very stunning rolling hills coated in snow.
I explored along with Hattie, from Dohoku Native, the river facet in Biei on snowshoes, which was an easy and enjoyable journey. The snowshoeing alongside the shore of the river was tremendous pleasurable, and Hattie was very educated concerning the flora, fauna and historical past of the realm.
As I needed to catch my trip again to Asahikawa we walked with our snowshoes in hand again to city, with a brief cease on the Shiki-no-tou Tower from which you’ve got an incredible view over this little city of barely 10.000 inhabitants. To spherical issues out, I additionally had a scrumptious smooth serve ice cream earlier than heading again to Asahikawa!
A skitouring go to to Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park
On my final day in Japan I used to be in for a deal with: A lengthy skitouring day on Sanpou-San within the Tokachi Mountain Vary of the Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park, along with Yukinori Otsuka and Yosuke Noto – each are ski and mountain guides, and Yukinori can be a really proficient photographer.
Our day began very early in Asahikawa, from the place we drove for round an hour to the beginning of our skitour on the Tokachidake Onsen.
Skitouring right here requires the correct gear and also you shouldn’t head out on this mountain with no beacon, probe and shovel. The Method is round 30 m down a virtually 75° slope, after which we put the skins on and hiked for an hour.
The sky was blue, the solar was shining, it was a freezing -26°C however all three of us had huge grins because it was completely good, the type of day you dream about while you plan and picture a visit. We had many first powder traces this present day, put our skins on and off half a dozen instances, and saying that it was an important day can be an understatement.
We noticed a couple of different teams all through the day, however the truth that we made first powder activates each descent provides you an concept that this can be a huge mountain with a lot of area for everybody.
Deliver your avalanche package, meals and drinks for a protracted time out – and luxuriate in, this was about the most effective skitouring you may have in Japan!
Practicalities: The place to Sleep, Eat and Ski
If you wish to be on-line along with your cellphone whereas in Japan, get an eSim from Airalo. It really works a deal with and permits you to use Google Maps, Translate and every part else for as little as 3$/ GB. I like to recommend their 5 GB Bundle in the event you keep lower than two weeks, after which merely top-up your account as wanted. Use the Code HENDRI0415 to obtain 3$ to get you began!
Flying to Japan is super-easy and you may also fly on to Asahikawa, which has one of the most-reliable Airports in Japan. You’ll find the most effective connections from your house airport through Journey.com.
Professional-Tip: Add in a pair of days in Tokyo on the best way house – see our Tokyo Suggestions right here!
Use Reserving.com to search out the proper Resort for your keep in Asahikawa and e book it immediately.
I can extremely advocate the Resort WBF Grande Asahikawa which has spacious rooms for all your ski gear, a incredible Onsen and a really tasty breakfast buffet.
The AMANEK Asahikawa is the latest Resort in Asahikawa and is correct off the Predominant Road and a 2 Minutes stroll to the railway station.
The OMO7 Asahikawa (https://reserving.tp.st/PxlVjSZl) is a correct ski lodge on the town and has it’s personal shuttle service, and can be very child-friendly – the best selection in the event you go together with the household to ski in Japan!
In the event you’re going to Asahidake and need to keep shut, then you may’t get nearer than the Bear Monte (https://reserving.tp.st/68lJNssb). It’s a 3 minute stroll to the Ropeway Station and I completely adored the massive library which was very inviting, with many attention-grabbing books and comfortable chairs and sofas.
In the event you don’t have a beacon, shovel and probe then purchase all three in a set (https://www.bergfreunde.eu/avalanche-beacon-sets/?pid=10239) and secure cash!
To discover ways to use them go to a course regionally or exit into the mountains with one of the superb guides I used to be snowboarding with:
Yukinori Otsuka http://yukinori.internet
Yosuke Noto https://www.wildoor.jp
Ryoji Mizutani https://nakafu-mb.com
Suzuki Yoshihiro https://www.instagram.com/survival_nature_guide/
Tracy Lenard from Niseko Mountain Guides, https://www.nisekomtnguides.com/ presents week lengthy excursions and can guarantee that you’ve got a incredible powder vacation.
If you wish to discover Biei then accomplish that with Hattie from Dohoku Native: https://www.dohoku-local.com
There are such a lot of super-tasty Eating places in Asahikawa that I solely checklist my three favourites:
Ramen Santōka is the Finest Ramen Store on the town. I completely LOVE their Ramen – they’re so tasty that my mouth is watering proper now, simply fascinated about them!
If you wish to splurge on Dinner and desire a conventional Japanese expertise then it’s important to go to HATAGO. Have a Japanese pal assist you make a reservation because it’s highly regarded, after which be sure that to strive the Sashimi which have been godly.
Lastly, Change Taste is a Café which presents probably the most tastiest treats, from Parfaits to cheese cake and extra. This place is totally beautiful and superb for {couples} who desire a romantic Café!
