Asahidake

Asahidake is a no-frills ski area that has few groomed runs and access to some of the steeper and longer lines on Hokkaido. Far from the tourist hub of Niseko and a two-hour drive from Furano, Asahidake is also one of the more remote and least crowded areas on the island. If winds are forecasted to be strong, consider a different ski area as the ropeway is more likely to be on a wind hold.

Asahidake has one ropeway that gains 1,600 feet and runs every 10 minutes. There's a handful of groomed runs to get you to back to the base, but you'll find many people skinning and/or side-stepping outside the resort boundaries to access the longer lines. Be prepared as many runs end in the flats and require skinning to get back to the groomers. On a clear day, you can summit Asahidake and view the volcanic vents in the crater.

With the amount of snow, warm creeks, and volcanic vents, the backcountry at Asahidake should not be taken lightly. Skiing at Asahidake requires extra effort than other ski areas, but with that added effort you'll be finding fresh tracks until closing.