Photo of Backcountry Skiing Routes in Hokkaidō

The Best Backcountry Skiing Routes in Hokkaidō

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Top 31 backcountry skiing routes in Hokkaidō

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1

Annupuri Backside Return (Goshikionsen lot)

1.56 km·
50 m
While the Goshikionsen lot is closer than the Weiss lot, it requires a short skin. Skiers without skins can easily enough shuffle along this generally flat road but snowboarders without snowshoes may have a difficult time, particularly when in deep snow....
2

Annupuri Backside Return (Weiss Lot)

2.61 km·
27 m
Despite being farther than the Goshikionsen lot, this lot is mostly flat or downhill to get to. In fresh, deep snow, it might still be easier to get back to the Goshikionsen lot unless on a snowboard and without snowshoes....
3

Mt. Iwaonupuri Half-day

3.12 km·
273 m
Overview: Mt. Iwaonupuri (イワオヌプリ, 1,116m; also marked as Mt. Io - 硫黄山) is the smaller sister to Niseko’s Mt. Annupuri in the west. From Hirafu to the trailhead at Goshiki Hot Springs, it is a 45 minute (20km) circular drive, so it is a great way to get away from the bustling pistes of Hirafu....
4

Gate 2: Naka-one

2.25 km
Access to this zone is through Gate 2, located just above the Jumbo Pair Lift 4. This is a hike, but is about as short as they come, being less than 30 seconds....
5

Gate 7

1.78 km
A super fun and playful tree skiing zone that is perfect on storm days when the upper mountain is closed. Access to this zone is through Gate 7, on the riders left of the Shirakaba R Piste....
6

Higashi-one (N)

1.38 km
A classic hike-to line in the legendary Niseko back bowls. Perfect after a storm day. Be sure to check the Nadare forecast (linked below) for avalanche conditions and gate openings. Access is via the Niseko-Annupuri Summit Hike, through Gate 3....
7

Nito NW

0.73 km
This is a fantastic NW facing run that brings you from the summit of Nito back to the the upper section of Route 66 that is closed in the winter. It is perfect for taking multiple laps off the summit of Nito on longer days when snow is staying good to the W....
8

Nito W, Low

0.4 km
This is a fun and classic W facing run on storm days. It brings you from about 100 metres below the summit of Nito back down to Route 66 close to your skin track, so taking multiple laps is very feasible....
9

Nito Ascent S

1.89 km·
445 m
Though the most difficult of the three options for ascending Nito, this route can be very rewarding, particularly on storm days, as the terrain accessed is delightful. That said, ascending this route takes more snow than all the other routes, and involves some potentially tricky navigation....
10

Nito Ascent W

2.53 km·
437 m
This line - the physically easiest route up Nito - follows a route with the fewest switchbacks and portions of tight trees. It is also the most popular, so if you are less inclined to set your own skin track, it will be most likely someone has done the work for you up this side of Nito....
11

Chisenupuri E

0.99 km·
19 m
This run is a tremendously fun variation on the popular Chisenupuri ski routes. Due to the distance it deposits skiers from the popular trailheads, this run frequently has few skier tracks on it....
12

Gate 5 Traverse

2.32 km·
62 m
Access to the Gate 5 traverse begins at the top of the Hanozano Hooded Quad Lift 3. For skiers this is a short sidestep, most snowboarders take their boards off and walk the first several metres into the gate....
13

Gate 1

1.82 km
Access to this zone is through Gate 1, located about half way down the Champion Piste on the riders far right. This zone can technically be accessed by the Ace Pair Lift 4, and the King Lift 4, though it requires a peculiar traverse....
14

O-Sawa

2.55 km
A classic hike to line in the legendary Niseko back bowls. Perfect after a storm day. Be sure to check the Nadare forecast (linked below) for avalanche conditions and gate openings....
15

Niseko-Annupuri Summit Hike (G3)

0.49 km·
65 m
This hike is essential to accessing the Niseko/Annupuri back bowls. It is approximately a 15 minute bootpack that is well trodden and very popular on a sunny day. It is is accessed via Gate 3....
16

Annupuri Summit Hike (G2)

0.4 km·
130 m
This hike is essential to accessing the Niseko/Annupuri back bowls. It is approximately a 15 minute bootpack that is well trodden and very popular on a sunny day. It is is accessed via Gate 2....
17

Kozan no sawa bowl (center)

2.25 km
A classic hike to line in the legendary Niseko back bowls. Perfect after a storm day. Be sure to check the Nadare forecast (linked below) for avalanche conditions and gate openings....
18

Kozan no sawa (variation)

2.12 km·
10 m
A classic hike to line in the legendary Niseko back bowls. Perfect after a storm day. Be sure to check the Nadare forecast (linked below) for avalanche conditions and gate openings....
19

Kita Shamen W

1.33 km·
11 m
A classic hike-to line in the legendary Niseko back bowls. Perfect after a storm day. Be sure to check the Nadare forecast (linked below) for avalanche conditions and gate openings. Access is via the Niseko-Annupuri Summit Hike, through Gate 3....
20

Kita Shamen (Goshikionsen return)

1.16 km
A classic hike-to line in the legendary Niseko back bowls. Perfect after a storm day. Be sure to check the Nadare forecast (linked below) for avalanche conditions and gate openings. Access is via the Niseko-Annupuri Summit Hike, through Gate 3....
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