Hakkoda 八甲田

Ropeway accessTree skiingSnow monstersSpring touring

Hakkoda is a range of volcanic peaks in Aomori, at the northern tip of Honshu. It is famous in Japan for its brutal winter weather. A 1902 military training march here ended in tragedy, and that history is still told today. For skiers, that same weather means extraordinary amounts of snow.

The Hakkoda Ropeway lifts skiers onto the upper slopes. From there, marked tour routes and much wider backcountry terrain drop through the snow monsters and into deep forest. There is essentially no groomed skiing; this is a backcountry mountain with a ropeway.

Visibility is often poor, and the terrain is complex. Hakkoda is one of the places where going with a local guide makes the biggest difference. That’s true both for safety and for finding the best snow.

Why a guide: local guides ski Hakkoda daily, know how to navigate the forest in fog, and track how the snowpack is changing.

Highlights

• One of the snowiest places in Japan, with some of the deepest tree skiing you'll ever find
• Ropeway access to the famous juhyo "snow monsters" — frost-covered trees
• Long descents through beech and fir forest
• Spring tours deeper into the Hakkoda range once the weather settles

Main hazards

• Frequent dense fog and whiteouts — easy to get lost
• Avalanches, including in forested terrain; there have been fatal accidents
• Deep tree wells
• Rapidly changing weather from the Sea of Japan

Conditions change daily. Check the latest avalanche and weather information, carry beacon, probe and shovel, and ski with a qualified guide if you don't know the area. See our safety guide.

Where to stay

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