Japan
Freeride
Experience

Japanese culture meets winter sports

500 kilometres from Tokyo lies Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. During the colder months, Hokkaido transforms into a winter wonderland where mystical stories from ancient Japan abound. The island features volcano-shaped mountains, the distinctive smell of sulphur, constant snowfall, classic Japanese streetscapes, and hot springs that bubble under the falling snow. These elements combine to create a tranquillity that is entirely different from what you can find in Europe.

Snow falls practically every day here. As a result, roads twist and turn between 4–5 meter high snow walls. Since temperatures almost never rise above 0°C, the snow doesn’t become wet and heavy, so you’ll always find fresh, powdery snow. In fact, nearby Sapporo is one of the snowiest cities in the world, receiving even more snowfall than Helsinki or Oslo. During its snowiest years, Niseko can receive up to 17 meters of the white stuff.

If this is your first time skiing in Japan, you might encounter quite a few pleasant surprises. There will be plenty of ‘aha’ moments when you compare Japanese and Western ski resorts. For example, the care and precision taken in maintaining the snow conditions reflect the overall meticulous approach that Japan is known for worldwide.

Artistic elegance and care

Attention to detail is evident in everything, from restaurant service to cleanliness and the quality of food. At the base of each ski lift, there’s a vending machine, but not the kind that barely works – these are technical masterpieces. The soup available here is piping hot, surprisingly delicious, and very satisfying after spending a few hours on the slopes. And of course, in the ski lodges, you won’t find Austrian dumplings but rather ramen and seafood. Don’t be afraid to try new flavors – and it’s completely acceptable to slurp your soup, in fact, it’s encouraged!

The culture you’ll find here is more closely related to the nature-loving style of old-world Japan rather than the modern version that you’d find in Tokyo. Instead of sweating it out in saunas, we’ll take a hot soak in onsens – Japanese-style hot springs and baths. There’s no better feeling after a hard day skiing than relaxing your muscles in 45 degree thermal water.

If you’re looking for the freshest and deepest snow, this is the place for you. Additionally, Japan has no glacier crevasses and avalanches are much rarer, making off-piste skiing significantly safer compared to, for example, the Alps.