Skiing and snowboarding aren't the only joys of visiting snowy mountains. The delicious "gere food" you can enjoy on the slopes is also one of the attractions. Combining this with the desire to "find out lesser-known local ski resorts in Hokkaido," which was also expressed by many in a STEEP reader survey, the STEEP editorial team approached the perfect person to address this topic
That person is "Espeyuki," a ski resort lover who travels to ski resorts all over the country. He visits ski resorts all over the country, eats a variety of ski resort foods, and posts them on social media. In 2023, he will also appear on a terrestrial TV program, and his influence is expanding. This time, we visited 100 of Hokkaido's most famous ski resorts and asked this "ski resort food professional" to pick out eight carefully selected dishes
Hello! I'm Espeyuki!
I'm working on taking photos of snowy mountains all over Japan and sharing local information.
However, recently, people have started to suspect that he skis in order to eat the food. At the ski resort on the day before writing this article, I ate a freshly baked apple pie at 10am, nabeyaki udon at 12pm, and rare cheesecake at 3pm. Isn't that normal...?
In 2024, I spent six weeks touring ski resorts in Hokkaido! I tried the local food at each resort, so I'd like to share it with you all!
Food in Hokkaido's Gere
First, I would like to briefly talk about the food situation in Hokkaido's gelato areas
Compared to Honshu, Hokkaido has an overwhelming number of small slopes. Rest areas and cafeterias generally have microwaves and hot water, and many people bring their own food. As a result, there are many ski resorts that do not provide on-site meals
One of the joys of traveling to Hokkaido is discovering the attractive restaurants that are open for business
"Tarako Carbonara" - a delicious dish you wouldn't believe is ski resort quality | Pirika Ski Resort
Pirika Ski Resort is said to have the best snow quality in the southern Hokkaido area. It has an efficient layout that allows you to ski down multiple courses with one long lift. It is relatively close to the overcrowded Niseko area, and has recently been gaining attention as a variation destination to visit from Niseko
Located in the center house, Kur Plaza Pirika, "Kamioka Dining," a popular restaurant loved by locals that has relocated and opened this winter!
This time I ate "Cod roe carbonara with squid and soft-boiled egg"
The quality is so high that even if I were in town I would want to go back again and again, and although I don't usually eat cod roe, this dish has completely cured my prejudice. The atmosphere inside the restaurant and the service of the staff are also wonderful, and this restaurant blows away the common sense of what you would expect from a gourmet meal
Cheap, fast, and delicious! Looks great too! | Snow Cruise Owns
Snow Cruise Owns offers a beautiful view of the ski slopes diving into the sea. It's extremely easy to get to from Otaru and Sapporo, and the ski resort's opening hours are incredibly long, from 11am to 9pm! I often visit just for dinner, even after skiing at a nearby ski resort
What sets this place apart is that it is thoroughly committed to the cheap, fast and delicious food that is required for gere food. What's more, many of the dishes are also great in appearance, making you say "Wow!"
We especially recommend the "Otaru Ankake Yakisoba" and "Omu Cheese Rice .
There are many popular restaurants serving thickened fried noodles in Otaru city, but this price and flavor make it one of the most popular restaurants in the city! It often sells out, so be sure to try it if you see it! The omelette cheese rice has a delicious fluffy, runny egg and is served quickly, so it's a dish I often order on days when I want to skate around
My favorite is the kakiage made with seasonal vegetables! | Kitanaganuma Ski Resort
Kitanaganuma Ski Resort is located on the east side of Sapporo. The slopes are very wide and have good visibility, so it is especially recommended for beginners and families. Whenever I visit, there are always blizzards, but this year, the weather was clear and sunny, making it the perfect conditions for catching the edges!
The recommended food here "Maoi Vegetable Tempura Soba .
I wondered what Maoi meant, but after researching, I found out that it is an Ainu word meaning something like "a place where the rose bush laurel grows or blooms." In other words, it is a place name, and there is also a roadside station called "Maoi no Oka Park" in Naganuma Town, the same town as the ski resort
This dish is made with plenty of seasonal vegetables and topped with a generous amount of tempura. It's got to be delicious! This is my go-to ski food that I eat every time I ski at Kitanaganuma Ski Resort
Enjoy the powder snow at Akankohan Ski Resort
This ski resort is located on the shores of Lake Akan, famous for its marimo (moss balls) that are designated under the Ramsar Convention. It offers a beautiful view overlooking the frozen lake. Located inland in the cold eastern Hokkaido area, it enjoys a high rate of sunny days, and the resort maintains a stable operating period thanks to the use of artificial snow machines to prepare the courses from November each year. Alpine skiing competitions and certification exams are also frequently held here
The recommended ski resort food here...or rather, the recommended restaurant is "Powder Snow." I don't mean eating fresh snow! It's the name of the restaurant. It's a popular restaurant that supports the ski resort food at Lake Akan Ski Resort, which is open for a long period of time
This time we're introducing the "Yakiniku Donburi" (grilled meat bowl) , but you can eat anything! The owner's personality, the lively atmosphere of the restaurant, the sight of the chefs cooking, and the snowy scenery... Your expectations will skyrocket before the food is served, and the taste will not disappoint, making you happy.
If you want to enjoy great value ski resort food, try Kitami Wakamatsu Citizen Ski Resort
Kitami-Wakamatsu Civic Ski Resort is located close to the city of Kitami in eastern Hokkaido. With one lift and three lanes, the compact slopes offer perfectly groomed terrain. The snow is firm enough to withstand my weight, so I recommend it to anyone who loves carving
There is a nostalgic automatic cotton candy machine that is very popular
the "Zantaredon" from Restaurant Wakamatsu .
The price is only 700 yen! Prices are rising in the food industry, but this place is so good value that it makes you worry that it's not keeping up with the trend. The freshly fried zangi and shredded cabbage are placed on top of the rice, and the visual of it all dressed up with mayonnaise is very appealing. The zangi is also excellently seasoned
An exquisite bowl of ramen that will delight any ramen lover | Piyashiri Ski Resort
Piyashiri Ski Resort, located in the northern Hokkaido area, is said to have the best snow quality in Japan. It has it all: super light fresh snow, the snow scenery of northern Hokkaido, special ski resort food, and hot springs. This is a ski slope that even people from far away should definitely visit
The restaurant in the center house serves food. We recommend the "Extra Large Char Siu Ramen .
The extra-large portion refers to the char siu, which is presented in a meaty way, but the rest of the ramen is normal in size. You can also get extra noodles, so you can order "extra-large char siu ramen"! There are three flavors: miso, salt, and shoyu (soy sauce), and both the soup and char siu are made in the kitchen. I eat over 100 bowls of ramen a year, and the ramen here is just right up my alley in terms of appearance and taste, it's amazing!
lastly
What did you all think of this article?
The appeal of the slopes is of course the snow, but even if the weather turns bad, it's nice to have other attractions like ski resort food. I personally love eating ski resort food while watching the snowstorm
We also introduce Gere cuisine from all over Japan on social media and YouTube, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out