Practical guides · 案内
Get the logistics right before you land
9 guides
Practical guide · 11 min read
How do you do a Hokkaido ski trip in a camper van?
Book a 4WD van on studless tyres with a heater that runs after the engine stops, and sleep at RV parks with power. Michi-no-eki are for a nap on the road.
Practical guide · 6 min read
How do you plan a first riding trip to Hokkaido?
Ten days and two or three bases cover a first trip well. Start around Niseko and finish inland, where the snow runs colder and lighter.
Practical guide · 6 min read
How do you stay safe from avalanches in Hokkaido?
Avalanches have killed riders on Yotei and caught a guided group on Rishiri in the last few winters. Read the bulletin and file a climbing plan before you leave any gate.
Practical guide · 8 min read
How does sidecountry access work at Hokkaido's ski resorts?
Niseko opens numbered gates when patrol says so, and Furano wants its own form at the patrol hut every time you head out.
Practical guide · 5 min read
What should you pack for a riding trip to Hokkaido?
Mornings inland drop below −20°C in a cold snap, and the coast gets buried in snow for days at a time. Pack for both, then add your own touring kit and some yen.
Practical guide · 7 min read
When is the best time to ride Hokkaido?
Mid-January to late February brings the coldest powder. Tickets get cheaper in the shoulder weeks at either end, and touring takes over from March.
Practical guide · 6 min read
Which lift passes work at Hokkaido's ski resorts?
The Ikon Pass covers Niseko United and Furano, and Rusutsu takes the Epic Pass. Most other resorts sell their own tickets for less online than at the window.
guide · 7 min read
Getting around Hokkaido in winter
guide · 6 min read