Plan your ski trip to Japan
Stories, guides, and tips for skiing and snowboarding in Japan — written by our team and the instructors who teach there.
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Gate 11 — Mizuno no Sawa: Niseko's Avalanche-Controlled Zone
Gate 11 at Niseko Village is the only avalanche-controlled zone on the mountain. Guide to terrain, opening hours, the conditions that make it good, and when to avoid it.
Gate 10 — Moiwa Sidecountry: Spacious Powder Bowls
Gate 10 at Moiwa accesses wide west/southwest-facing powder bowls with no hike. Guide to terrain, the conditions that make it good, and when to avoid it.
Gate 9 — Waterfall: Consistent Fall-Line Tree Skiing
Gate 9 — the Waterfall gate — faces south/southeast and loads deep in the lee of the prevailing wind. Guide to terrain, the conditions that suit it, and when to avoid it.
Gate 8 — Hachi-Ban: Annupuri Tree Skiing Without a Hike
Gate 8 at Annupuri is a no-hike tree gate facing west/southwest. Guide to terrain, the conditions that make it good, and when to avoid it.
Gate 7 — Annupuri's Low, Sheltered Bad-Weather Gate
Gate 7 at Annupuri is a low, sheltered gate — the go-to in bad weather, but very sun-exposed. Guide to terrain, the conditions that suit it, and when to skip it.
Gate 6 — Moiwa Peak: Uncrowded Backcountry at a Separate Resort
Gate 6 at Moiwa Peak accesses uncrowded bowls at a separate resort, on a choice of aspects. Guide to terrain, the conditions that make it good, and when to avoid it.
Strawberry Fields — Hanazono's Best Inbounds Trees
Strawberry Fields at Hanazono is Niseko's most popular inbounds advanced tree zone. Guide to terrain, the conditions that make it good, and when to skip it.
Gate 5 — Hanazono Gate: Open Terrain and Tree Skiing
Gate 5 at Hanazono is a sheltered, no-hike gate with open terrain and tree runs. Guide to terrain, the weather conditions that suit it, and when to avoid it.
Gate 4 — Wind-Loaded East-Facing Sidecountry
Gate 4 at Hanazono Ridge is a no-hike, wind-loaded east-facing gate. Guide to terrain, the wind and weather conditions that make it good, and when to avoid it.
Gate 3 — Hirafu Peak: Niseko's Most Iconic Backcountry Gate
Gate 3 at Hirafu Peak is Niseko's most iconic backcountry gate, with multiple lines and aspects. Guide to terrain, the conditions that suit each, and when to avoid it.
Gate 2 — Annupuri Peak: Niseko's Longest Freeride Lines
Gate 2 at Annupuri Peak offers Niseko's longest backcountry lines. Guide to terrain, aspect, the conditions that make it good and when to stay away.
Gate 1 — L-GI: Annupuri's Entry Gate
Gate 1 at Niseko Annupuri is an accessible lower-mountain sidecountry entry. Guide to terrain, aspect, the conditions that make it good, and how to get in and out.