Hakkoda / Aomori

Experience the endless deep powder snow that traces Hakkoda's mountains. In February of 2013, the Japan Meteorological Agency's observation site, located at the Sukayu Onsen at the base of the mountain, recorded an all-time high 566cm snow base, establishing a new record in Japan. Hakkoda's average snow base is an impressive 4+ meters each year. With runs as long as 7km that stay true to the mountain's natural form, Hakkoda is a place where you can enjoy backcountry skiing and snowboarding in a pristine natural environment.

It's not only the snow on the ground that makes Hakkoda special. The mountain's characteristic "Snow Monsters" provide an unforgettable scenic backdrop to your snow adventure. These unique structures are produced through a process of water droplets carried by strong seasonal winds clashing with the evergreen conifer and freezing in place to create different shapes. There are only a limited number of mountains in Japan that have the unique climatic combination necessary to produce these Snow Monsters, and Hakkoda is one of the best among them.