How have you enjoyed the 24-25 season, which benefited from La Niña? Yoshi, a salaryman skier who lives in Tokyo, will be reporting on a two-week Hokkaido powder trip using a local railway that has touched my heart this season.
the 24-25 season ...
Winter arrives late every year, and during the 24-25 season, I felt winter in Tokyo around the second half of December. Although the forecast for La Niña this season was forecast, I was worried that winter wouldn't come very often, but by the end of December, I suddenly entered winter mode. The snowfall also increased rapidly in Hokkaido, and I got the impression that the snow was finally in time for the planned New Year's trip. Although the title of this report was called "Powder Trip Using Local Railways," vacations are limited for busy office workers. I took an airplane from Tokyo to Asahikawa.
Asahikawa before and after Christmas
After landing in Hokkaido, we first headed out to Kamuysky Links and Furano Ski Resort, based in Asahikawa. When we arrived, it was in a condition that hadn't been in a few days, but the later part of the process, the better the condition was. It was really good to be able to enjoy the super dry powder that is unique to inland!
Apresky in Asahikawa
The hotel is OMO7 Asahikawa. The spacious drying room and wax bar are very convenient, making it a regular inn in Asahikawa. I was grateful that a new boot dryer was installed this year.
Asahikawa city has many restaurants, and it's all very popular. It seems to be so crowded that it's not as easy as a few years ago that it's possible to drink alcohol, so if you have decided which restaurant you want to go to, you'll need to make a reservation! This is a very interesting restaurant unique to Asahikawa, and it was a very lively experience with our friends.
From Asahikawa to Sapporo by Lilac Express
Since it's a train trip, you'll travel while carrying boards and other gear. Take an all-in-one in a taxi and head to Asahikawa Station. I took the Lilac Express between Asahikawa and Sapporo. This section is inland, so you can enjoy the vast windows passing through mountainous areas and open flats. The passengers are wide-ranging from local to tourists, and some seats are dedicated to luggage, making them easy on travelers. I didn't have any trouble carrying an all-in-one.
By the way, the time and price for the train is about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and 4,690 yen including express train fare. By bus, it takes about 2.5 hours and costs 2,500 yen.
Shop tours and super sento in Sapporo
I took a day off in Sapporo. I've got new goggles that have been getting worse for UPLND Sapporo and Full Marks Sapporo. Plus, we've got a super refreshing experience at Kotoni's super sento "Yudokoro Hana Yuzuki," which we were introduced to at Full Marks Sapporo!
Even if you stay for a day, it's a super conscience accounting account for 880 yen for adults and an additional 360 yen for a rock bath. I warmed up my body thoroughly in the hot springs and rock baths all day long to thoroughly relieve the fatigue of the first half. Thank you to the staff at Fullmarks. (I really recommend a rock bath on the off day!)
During the New Year holidays, head to the Akaigawa Caldera area.
A guide picked it up from Sapporo, then drove towards Otaru and headed to Zenibako. Starting from this point, the New Year's training camp began, skiing around the Akaigawa Caldera.
During the New Year holidays, the mountains near Sapporo and Zenihako are still thick and bushes, and there are some uneven terrain, so you will continue to ski while carefully choosing your route. You can train it anyway! However, as we moved towards the Akai River, the snow accumulation continued to increase, and while enjoying the terrain, we enjoyed the slightly light snow that is typical of the seaside. The super dry snow is great, but the snow with a fluffy rebound is also great!
Hakodate Main Line is good
When you think of local lines in Hokkaido, many people probably remember "Poppoya" (railroad workers). In the pure white silence, a two-car local line runs through, and the atmosphere is a bit lonely but indescribable. You can experience that worldview only on local Hokkaido lines. The view from the window of the Hakodate Main Line, which I used to travel to Niseko, is particularly indescribable travel.
After traveling from Zenibako to Otaru for one night, we took the Hakodate Main Line to Kutchan to head to the Niseko area. It seems that the Hakodate Main Line will be cancelled with the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, so now is the time to experience the atmosphere. The Hakodate Main Line in Otaru → Kutchan → Shin-Hakodate is run through single-track tracks by two-car trains.
From Otaru to Kutchan, you run through the mountains from the Sea of Japan side, and on sunny days when snow accumulates, white trees approach you from both sides of the tracks, making for a truly fantastic view.
By the way, if you're going from Shin-Hakodate to Kutchan, you'll find "Nagamanbu," a familiar "Momotaro Dentetsu." You can travel along the coast of Eruption Bay and enjoy the snow falling all the way through the rough grey seas.
By the way, if you take a bus from Sapporo to Niseko, it takes just over 3 hours, and the bus costs 2,560 yen each way. If you transfer by train, Kutchan will take 2,400 yen in about 3 hours. Even if you add 540 yen bus fee from Kutchan to Niseko, the price will not change significantly.
Niseko Area BC with many options
You can choose to get to Niseko from Kutchan by bus or taxi. It's difficult to get taxis during busy periods, so it's best to set the time to a bus with a small number of flights before departing Otaru. Although the area around Hirafu is crowded with inbound tourism, the surrounding mountains are quiet as the number of resort skiers is increasing. We skated through Mt. Yotei and the mountains around Niseko, and it was certainly a quiet mountain hike that we love. The snow is just like Niseko, and the good thing about this area is that there are many options depending on the wind direction and the weather!
Recommended public transport and powder for both leisurely and serious people
I think powder trips using public transport are an attractive style of travel that also offers fun travel. I've summarized the reasons for this.
There is a great benefit to traveling by train or bus
, and no stress from driving on snowy roads!
・Enjoy a lot of local gourmet food
・Can relax in the car (you can sleep!)
Local lines that accent your trip are full of charm
• Enjoy the beautiful winter scenery from the train window, with plenty of travelling atmosphere
• Get off at the same time and enjoy local hot springs and sightseeing
• Have a relaxing time unique to the train.
Recommended for backcountry fans
It is often thought that a car is a must for enjoying the backcountry, but if you go to the city where you are the base, they will often pick you up and drop you off from your accommodation, so you can go to the mountains without renting a car locally. For example, the Asahikawa OMO7 where I stayed this time operates a free shuttle bus every day to Mt. Asahidake, which was very convenient.
This is especially recommended for those who are not confident in traveling on local railways, driving on snowy roads, or who want to enjoy a relaxed trip. For the rest of the season, why not try using local trains and enjoy a spring trip?
Special thanks.: Guide Kintoun, Yamaki-x, Norte, Niseko Mecca.