2 New Zealand Skiers Confirmed Dead And 1 Injured in Avalanche at Mount Yotei, Hokkaido, Japan Three skiers were caught in two separate avalanches in Hokkaido, Japan, on Monday, March 11, in the morning. Firefighters received a call to Mount Yotei around 10 a.m. where two skiers were buried. The search and rescue team located the backcountry skiers buried in the snow. The pair had suffered cardiac and pulmonary arrest and the rescue team started immediate […] Avalanche Julia Schneemann | March 11, 2024 1 Comment
American Man Dies in Avalanche in Myoko, Japan On Wednesday, February 28, an American man was killed in an avalanche in Myoko City in the Niigata prefecture of Japan. Japanese police were notified around 1:00 p.m. that a group of four men were lost in the backcountry, and at least one person had been caught in an avalanche. A rescue team was dispatched and located the party approximately […] Avalanche Mike Humphrey | March 1, 2024 0 Comments
Hokkaido Japan’s Rusutsu Ski Resort — Tree Ski Paradise For powder enthusiasts, there are few better sensations than picking an untouched line through a perfectly spaced tree grove and experiencing near weightlessness while one’s skis or board silently carve patterns on the perfect snowy canvass draping a mountainside. At Rusutsu Ski Resort, located near Sapporo on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, be prepared to feel that sensation frequently […] Brains Jared Roberts | February 27, 2024 0 Comments
Warm Temperatures Bring Early Cherry Blossom to Japan After an unseasonably warm winter, Japan’s famous cherry blossom is expected to arrive early this year. Typically, cherry trees will blossom in Japan in late March or early April, but this year the earliest pink flowers can be expected to be seen in Tokyo from as early as mid-March. The popular cherry blossom season is anticipated to start up to […] Industry News Julia Schneemann | February 22, 2024 0 Comments
Pod of Orca Whales Trapped in Ice off the Coast of Hokkaido, Japan A pod of orca whales has been trapped off the Eastern Coast of Hokkaido, Japan. Local officials in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island which is home to ski resorts such as Furano, Niseko, and Rusutsu, reported the heartbreaking situation on Tuesday morning, February 6. According to footage from a drone, a pod of about 10-13 orcas, including several calves, found themselves […] Industry News Julia Schneemann | February 7, 2024 0 Comments
The 7 Largest Ski Resorts in Japan For many, a ski trip to Japan is a bucket list item due to the amazing powder conditions that can be prevalent throughout the region. There is no shortage of options when choosing a resort to visit, as Japan boasts some of the most ski resorts in any country. However, the size of the areas tends to be smaller compared […] Brains Brent Thomas | February 5, 2024 0 Comments
With the Yen at Multi-Decade Lows, Now is the Time to Book a Ski Trip to Japan Monetary policy and weakening currencies aren’t usually how I decide where to take my next ski trip. But, this year, the weak yen keeps coming up. At ¥141 to $1, the cost of a trip to Japan is at an all-time low. The cost savings are significant! Japan is a bucket list destination. Social media would have you believe there […] Mike Humphrey | January 8, 2024 0 Comments
Niseko, Japan, Backcountry Report: Sunny Skies and Soft Snow Report from January 1, 2024 What better way to start 2024 than by breaking out the skins and looking for some fresh snow. Driving to the backside of Mt. Niseko-Annupuri, there was noticeable snow accumulation on the parked cars. The sun was shining which made for scenic views. I parked and headed up the skin track passing tons of Sassa […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | January 3, 2024 0 Comments