Hakkoda Ski Resort: Advanced skiing in the heart of the Aomori Mountains

Slopes that utilize the natural inclines of the mountain

Hakkoda Ski Resort utilizes the steep inclines of the mountain in their entirety. The surface area is small at around 5 hectares, and there are only 5 courses. As 60% of the courses are targeted at intermediate skiers, there are very few areas where beginners can ski. Seeing as how the ski resort utilizes the natural topography of the mountain, these aren’t the kind of resort-style slopes that we can recommend to just anyone.

On the other hand, as 70% of the area is comprised of non-compacted snow, this is one of the best environments for those who want to enjoy untouched, all-natural skiing. With excellent snow quality, Hakkoda Ski Resort is extremely popular with intermediate and advanced skiers who aren’t daunted when it comes to steep inclines.

5 courses, each with their own unique facets

There are two advanced courses that can be reached via ropeway and start from the peak: the Direct Course and the Forest Course. There are 3 other more compact courses reachable via short ski lift rides: the Furikozaka Course, the Slalom Course, and the Kansuizawa Course.

Both advanced courses feature non-compacted snow and are quite difficult. While the Forest Course is a bit wider and easier to ski, skiers need to keep in mind that the first kilometer of the course is very steep.

The Direct Course is the resort’s major course. While it lacks the steep incline, it’s rather narrow, and should definitely be avoided by skiers who aren’t confident in their ability to turn and brake.

Beginners should stick to the Kansuizawa Course. At about 1 kilometer long, it features a gentle incline and is perfect for warming up early in the season. Despite the mountain being at relatively low altitude, the quality of the snow is considered to be very good, with many skiers coming every year to get their fill of the slopes.

The frozen trees are a sight to behold!

Perhaps the most striking thing about Hakkoda Ski Resort is the beauty of its frozen trees that spread out over the slopes. Many people have described skiing down on clear days among the frozen trees as “otherworldly.” There are some who come to the ski resort just to enjoy the view.

However, clear skies, not to mention a whole clear day, are relatively rare. Since the ropeway is shut down when weather conditions become bad, whether or not you will have a chance to see the majestic view often comes down to chance. But you can still enjoy the excellent skiing on offer even on cloudy days, so for those who like to ski through the trees, we definitely recommend checking out Hakkoda!

Congestion is practically a non-issue

Access to Hakkoda Ski Resort is not great - a 60 minute bus ride from Aomori Station - but that means that even during peak season, there aren’t many skiers. The ropeway connecting the base of the mountain to the peak holds around a hundred passengers, meaning that the number of people who can ride the courses at a time is limited.

While we recommend Hakkoda Ski Resort to those who’d like to ski where there aren’t many other people around, some may feel a little lonely from the lack of other skiers on the mountain. There also seem to be plenty of skiers who can get a little frightened up on the mountain when weather conditions turn bad, as there aren’t many landmarks to go by when visibility decreases.

One point in the resort’s favor is that the season is quite long, allowing for spring skiing as well. With its unique topography, the area gets plenty of snow, heavily blanketed sometimes even into May. When it comes to spring skiing in Honshu, this is certainly the number one place to do it. The peak season lasts up until late March with plenty of powder snow for everyone to enjoy.

Jingisukan Set Lunch: The local slope-side specialty dish

Hakkoda Ski Resort features two restaurants: Rest House Hakkoda at the base and Hinazakura at the peak. Our personal recommendation is Hinazakura’s “Jingisukan Teishoku,” a set lunch with roasted mutton. Tons of skiers love the fact that they can enjoy genuine Jingisukan-style roast mutton slope-side! While it is a little on the pricey side, we still recommend trying it at least once if you’re heading to Hakkoda.

Rest House Hakkoda features lots of noodle and rice bowl dishes. For those looking to try real local Japanese cuisine, check this restaurant out. They also offer hot sandwich and coffee breakfast sets in the morning, so for those early birds who hit the slopes first thing, stop in for a quick bite.

Chock full of famous hot springs, Japanese inns and lodges!

There are plenty of slope-side accommodations on offer such as Hakkoda Sanso, Kansuizawa Onsen Hakkoda Resort Hotel, and Hotel Jogakura, all at reasonable prices.

While a little further away from the mountain, Sukayu Onsen Ryokan is a very well reviewed Japanese-style inn, with lots of guests recommending that if you’re coming all the way out to Hakkoda, this is the place to stay. Regardless, the town has plenty of hotels and accommodation options available, meaning getting a room should be no problem.

Recommended for spartan skiers looking to up their game!

To be honest, access to Hakkoda Ski Resort isn’t great, there aren’t a lot of courses, and of those available most are better suited to die-hard advanced skiers. However, the view on clear days of the mountain’s frozen trees is practically supernatural. Coming just to see them would be worth it in its own right.

While we can’t recommend this resort to beginners, if you’re a thrill-seeking skier, look no further. Being a resort mostly for those looking to compete, if you’re confident in your skills, why not give Hakkoda Ski Resort a shot?

Pricing information and schedule may not be up to date and are subject to change without notice. Please check before your trip.