How did you all enjoy the 2024-2025 season, which benefited from La Niña? I'm Yoshi, a salaryman and skier living in Tokyo, and I'd like to report on my memorable two-week trip to Hokkaido's powder snow using local trains this season
the24-25 season...
Winter arrives later every year, and in the 2012-2013 season, I didn't feel winter until late December in Tokyo. This season, La Niña was forecast, but I was worried that winter wouldn't arrive anytime soon, but late December saw us suddenly enter winter mode. Hokkaido also saw a sudden increase in snowfall, and it felt like the snow had finally arrived in time for my planned New Year's holiday trip. Although the title of this report is "Powder Trip Using Local Railways," for busy office workers, vacation time is limited. As expected, I flew from Tokyo to Asahikawa
Asahikawa around Christmas
After arriving in Hokkaido, we first went to Asahikawa, then Kamui Ski Links and the Furano Ski Resort area. When we arrived, it hadn't rained for several days, but the conditions improved as we got further into the season. It was really great to experience the super dry powder that is unique to inland areas!
Apres Ski in Asahikawa
The hotel is OMO7 Asahikawa. The spacious drying room and wax bar are very convenient, making it a regular hotel when I visit Asahikawa. This year, they installed a new boot dryer, which I was very grateful for
Asahikawa is home to many restaurants and bars, all of which are bustling with activity. It seems like it's no longer possible to casually bar-hop like you could a few years ago, so if you've decided on a place you want to go to, make a reservation first! My friends and I had a blast at this charming restaurant, unique to Asahikawa
From Asahikawa to Sapporo on the Lilac Express
Since I was traveling by train, I had to carry my skis and other gear with me. I put my all-in-one in a taxi and headed to Asahikawa Station. I took the "Lilac" express train from Asahikawa to Sapporo. This section is inland, so I could enjoy the vast views from the window as it passed through mountainous areas and open plains. The passengers ranged from locals to tourists, and some seats were reserved for luggage, making it a traveler-friendly option. I had no trouble carrying my all-in-one
By the way, the train takes about an hour and 40 minutes and costs 4,690 yen including express fare, while the bus takes about two and a half hours and costs 2,500 yen
Shop around Sapporo and visit a super public bath
I took a day off in Sapporo. I visited UPLND Sapporo and Fullmarks Sapporo and bought new goggles, which had been acting up. I also had a super refreshing time at Yudokoro Hana Yuzuki, a super public bath in Kotoni that Fullmarks Sapporo recommended!
Even if you stay for the whole day, the price is a very reasonable 880 yen for adults, with an additional 360 yen for the bedrock bath. I spent the whole day in the hot springs and bedrock bath, thoroughly warming up my body and completely relieving the fatigue from the first half of the day. Thank you to the Fullmarks staff. (I highly recommend the bedrock bath on your day off!)
Head to the Akaigawa Caldera area for the New Year holidays
We were picked up by our guide in Sapporo and drove towards Otaru to Zenibako. This was the starting point for our New Year's skiing camp around the Akaigawa Caldera.
During the New Year's holiday, the ski resorts closer to Sapporo and the mountains around Zenibako are still overgrown with thick bushes and uneven terrain, so we had to carefully choose our routes as we skied. It was a real workout! However, as we moved towards Akaigawa, the snow cover increased steadily, and we enjoyed the slightly chewy snow characteristic of coastal areas while taking in the terrain. Super dry snow is good, but chewy, bouncy snow is also great!
The Hakodate Main Line is great
When talking about local trains in Hokkaido, many people probably think of "Railway Worker (Poppoya)." A two-car local train runs through the white silence, creating a slightly lonely but indescribable atmosphere. Only on Hokkaido's local trains can you experience that worldview. In particular, the scenery seen from the window of the Hakodate Main Line train, which I used on my way to Niseko, has an indescribable travel feeling
After traveling from Zenibako to Otaru and staying overnight, I took the Hakodate Main Line to Kutchan to head towards the Niseko area. The Hakodate Main Line is scheduled to be discontinued with the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, so now is the time to enjoy its atmosphere. The Hakodate Main Line from Otaru to Kutchan to Shin-Hakodate is run by two-car trains on a single track.
Between Otaru and Kutchan, the train runs from the Sea of Japan side through the mountains, and on a clear, snowy day, the pure white trees loom on both sides of the tracks, creating a truly fantastical landscape.
Incidentally, if you're traveling from Shin-Hakodate to Kutchan, there's Oshamanbe, familiar from the "Momotaro Dentetsu" video game. You can enjoy a train journey full of travel romance, running along the coast of Funka Bay and watching the snow falling on the rough, gray sea.
By the way, if you take the bus from Sapporo to Niseko, it takes a little over three hours and costs 2,560 yen one way. If you take the train, it takes about three hours to get to Kutchan and costs 2,400 yen. Even if you add the 540 yen bus fare from Kutchan to Niseko, the price doesn't change much
Many options for BC in the Niseko area
There are two ways to get from Kutchan to Niseko: by bus or taxi. Taxis are hard to come by during peak season, so it's best to time your departure from Otaru to take a bus that runs less frequently. Although the Hirafu area is crowded with inbound tourists, the surrounding mountains are quiet due to the increasing number of resort skiers. We skied Mt. Yotei and the mountains around Niseko, and it was certainly the quiet mountaineering we love. The snow was just as you'd expect from Niseko, and the great thing about this area is that there are multiple options depending on the wind direction and weather!
Public transport and powder snow are a great way to enjoy both laid-back and hardcore snowboarders
I think powder snow trips using public transportation are an attractive travel style that also allows you to enjoy the fun of traveling. Here are some reasons why
Traveling by train and bus offers many advantages:
• Zero stress from driving on snowy roads!
• You can enjoy plenty of local cuisine
. • You can relax (and even sleep!) during your journey.
Local trains are full of charm and add a special touch to your trip
• Enjoy the beautiful winter scenery from the train window, creating a truly romantic travel experience.
• Get off at intermediate stations to enjoy local hot springs and sightseeing
. • Experience the relaxed pace that only a train can offer.
Recommended for backcountry skiers too
It's often thought that a car is essential for enjoying backcountry skiing, but many accommodations will provide transportation to and from the base town, so you can head to the mountains without having to rent a car locally. For example, Asahikawa OMO7, where I stayed this time, runs a free shuttle bus to Mount Asahidake in the Daisetsuzan mountains every day, which was very convenient
Traveling by local train is especially recommended for those who are not confident in driving on snowy roads and those who want to enjoy a leisurely trip. Why not take advantage of the local trains for the rest of the season and enjoy a spring trip?
Special thanks.：Guide Kintoun, Yamaki-x,Norte,Niseko Mecca.