Notes from the snow
Resort guides for planning a private ski trip to Hokkaido.
Which Niseko base suits your skiing?
Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupuri share one mountain and one lift pass, but they are not the same trip. What each side is like, how the backcountry gates work, what is new for 2026–27, and where to spend the days off the snow.
6 November 2026
Furano is the Hokkaido ski town that stayed quiet
Furano is a working farm town with a big mountain behind it: 28 courses, a 101-person ropeway, and Asahidake and Kamui within day-trip range. What the two zones are like, the new backcountry rules, and how to spend the evenings.
5 November 2026
Rusutsu keeps eleven tree runs ungroomed on purpose
Rusutsu is one resort on three peaks, sheltered by Mt Yōtei and famous for its tree skiing. How the mountain fits together, what the 2026–27 season looks like, how to ski the trees and the backcountry properly, and why it works so well for families.
4 November 2026