Featured image skier: Mathieu Jaudon.
Last updated Jan 19, 2025
500m
4hrs
6.5/10
1600m
1450m
9.5hrs
8/10
2052m
1410m
8hrs
7/10
1880m
965m
6hrs
7/10
1216m
1040m
7hrs
7/10
1459m
500m
4hrs
6.5/10
1400m
400m
4.5hrs
6.5/10
1500m
490m
4hrs
6.5/10
1700m
1190m
8.5hrs
7/10
1625m
770m
4hrs
7/10
1710m
578m
4.5hrs
7/10
1650m
1690m
9.5hrs
8.5/10
2012m
In deep winter in the Tokachi Range, expect to enjoy beautiful, dry, cold, deep powder at or around the treeline. Generally, the alpine in the range in deep winter (December to mid-March) has low visibility and high winds (see more detail here).
Spring (mid-March till early May) brings more clear-sky days, allowing for longer, higher-altitude forays into the high peaks.
Up to 1,500m: Dependable powder conditions in winter can be expected up to around 1,500m (about 400m above treeline) in altitude in the Tokachi Range.
Beyond 1,500m: Above 1,500m in winter, skiers should expect highly wind-affected surface conditions, hardpack snow, and rime.
There are currently no daily recreation-oriented avalanche bulletins in central Hokkaido.
For sporadic observations and snowpack stability commentary, check the Furano Avalanche Center‘s Facebook page and website.
You can browse individual contributions to the Japan Avalanche Network‘s Tokachi Range page here (mostly in Japanese).
Most trailheads in the range all have plenty of plowed parking. Note, however, the following.
> Hakuginso Parking
This applies to Sandan-yama and Maetokachi-dake. Park to the east side of the parking area.
> Furano-dake Parking
Furano-dake’s backcountry skiing start point (the T-intersection of Routes 966 and 291 here) has very limited parking.
For Furano-dake, we recommend the following: 1) get to the trailhead early (by 9am, the small parking area can be full); 2) if cars are backed up, consider skiing elsewhere; 3) avoid parking on the road, and if you do, spend 10 minutes or so digging out the snowbank so your vehicle isn’t taking up too much of the lane; 4) don’t park overnight on the road or in the parking lot.
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Category
Grade
Points
Strenuousness
Vertical Gain
25
Time ascending
0
Technicality
Altitude
0
Hazards
0
Navigation
0
Totals
25/100
GRADES range from A (very difficult) to D (easy). Hazards include exposure to avalanche and fall risk. More details here. Rating rubric adapted from Hokkaido Yukiyama Guidebook 北海道雪山ガイド.
3 thoughts on “Tokachi Range Backcountry Skiing”
I am a swiss guide with super fit wife, and we are ski touring in Hokkaido for first time 10 feb to 7 march
we have booked 11 feb to 22 feb in airbnb in kutchan near niseko
then we hit the road going to furano etc and no fixed plans. we have a rental car ( not sure what size) but were happy to team up with any other ski tourers
paul wright pwow.wright@gamil.com
Hey,
are there any guides left in Furano around Feb 19th and the 3th of march?
We would be a group of 2 guys.
Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi Lucas,
Im traveling solo to Japan in earlier Feb, if you’d like to link up and hire a guide together. I’m an expert skier, whose been touring for the past 9 years. If you’re interested, feel free to shoot me an email at Jfstrong@gmail.com
Best,
John