Where Does it Snow Most in Hokkaido? The Most Reliable

(Spoiler: It’s not Niseko!)

Alright, I admit it. I am a statistics nerd. But before you yawn and click away, let me tell you this: being a stats nerd who loves shredding pow has its perks. I’ve been crunching numbers like a data-hungry skibum on a ramen binge to answer the question: “Where does it snow most in Hokkaido?” and the results are in! Spoiler alert: Niseko isn’t the top dog for snow dumps!
Keep an eye on our Adventure Group Ski Trips as we may have ski adventures to Hokkaido on offer!

Having extracted snowfall data for most ski resorts in Hokkaido over a 17-year period from 2007-2024, I’ve got a goldmine of info to share. Yeah, that’s right, pretty much from the first time I shredded there and got completely hooked. These numbers aren’t just random flakes—they’re weekly average snowfall in centimeters, meticulously crunched and ranked.

Discovering Hidden Gems

I’ve been frequenting Niseko for years. It’s the go-to spot for many, and for good reason. However, let’s talk about Niseko. The reason why I largely avoid Niseko now is that it has become so popular that the lines are annoyingly long and, of course, the pow is gone within minutes. In other words, nothing kills the vibe faster than waiting in line when you should be shredding. Therefore, while Niseko still has its charms, there are better places to get your powder fix without the hassle.

As a result, as I delved deeper into Hokkaido’s winter wonderland, I stumbled upon dozens of other resorts – hidden gems, if you will – that are less crowded and have more untracked powder waiting for the taking. Consequently, I decided to dive into the data and see which resorts get the most snow and when.

I know, I know. Data and spreadsheets aren’t exactly what comes to mind when you think of carving fresh lines down a mountain. But trust me, this is the kind of geekery that can make your next ski trip epic. With Python as my sidekick, I extracted snowfall data from the internet (thanks, snow-forecast.com) and ranked the resorts by their annual average snowfall over these 17 years. Moreover, I separated the big players from the mid-sized and small resorts to give you a clearer picture.

The Winners of the Most Snow in Hokkaido

What I found might just blow your ski socks off. Firstly, here’s a summary of my findings:

• Highest Annual Snowfall: Surprisingly (?), it’s not Niseko! The crown goes to Asahidake, boasting an epic average annual snowfall of 1,072 cm. This place is where it the most snow in Hokkaido falls. It’s a powder chaser’s dream, with its jaw-dropping landscapes featuring volcanoes and active geysers that feel like they’re straight out of another world. Dive into our detailed Asahidake Destination Guide for personal recommendations and stories to plan your own epic ski adventure.
• Runner Up: The runner-up prize goes to Kiroro, with an impressive average annual snowfall of 996 cm. Kiroro offers an upscale resort vibe but is also accessible for those with a more moderate budget, thanks to its proximity to Otaru. Check out our Kiroro Destination Guide for personal tips and insider info!
• Best Mid-Sized Resort: For those who prefer something a bit more under the radar but still packed with pow, Sapporo Kokusai tops the charts with 731cm.
• Hidden Gem: If you’re all about avoiding the crowds and finding untouched snow, check out Otaru Tenguyama. Conveniently situated close to Otaru, it may be small, but its snowfall stats are considerable with 568cm. Staying in Otaru amps up your options with great dining and nightlife scenes, plus it gives you the perfect base to hit up and shred at many other nearby resorts.

Rankings of the Most Snow in Hokkaido

Finally, here you go with the full list of rankings of Hokkaido’s most snowy resorts! Moreover, you can change the number of rows to see the full table (total 45 rows). Note that those snowfall stats were measured from mid-mountain.

Destination Guides

Additionally to these rankings, you can find insider travel stories by checking out the links below (we will add those as the stories are being told).

Asahidake

The Asahidake Ski Adventure: Epic Volcanoes and Powder Dreams

Find the best flight deals / cheap flights to Asahikawa or Sapporo here.

Check out available accommodation for Asahidake (for prime snow season, check the detailed Asahidake snow stats below).

More accommodation options are in the city of Asahikawa to the west, which is a good alternative to stay and access multiple ski areas in the region.

Kiroro

Kiroro’s Powder: Amazing Bliss and Upscale Après-Ski in Japan

Find the best flight deals / cheap flights to Sapporo here.

Check out available accommodation for the Kiroro region (for prime snow season, check the detailed Kiroro snow stats below). Feel free to check the blog post for what accommodations our community recommends.

Otaru

Above-mentioned ski resorts Sapporo Kokusai and Otaru Tenguyama can be conveniently accessed from staying in Otaru.

Check out available accommodation for Otaru:

Rental Cars

If you’re a confident driver, renting a car from Sapporo CTS or Asahikawa Airport is a great option, depending on where you land. We’ve had excellent experiences with Expedia Car Rentals for this.

IMPORTANT: For drivers with licenses from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Monaco, Germany, Slovenia, or Taiwan, you’ll need a certified translation from the JAF (Japan Automobile Federation). We recommend using Drivinjapan to handle this remotely, so you don’t have to visit the JAF office in Sapporo. They’re affordable and reliable, and I’ve used them several times. You can have your translation sent directly to the rental car company before you pick up your car or to your hotel in Japan. Just make sure to arrange this a few weeks in advance.

Communication on the Slopes: Get a SIM card

Foreign radios are not allowed in Japan, so we recommend using your mobile phones to stay connected on the slopes. You can either purchase a Japanese SIM card at the airport (look for the booths or vending machines) or, if you have an eSIM-compatible device, we recommend ordering Yesim’s Japan package before you fly.

Conclusion

There you have it – proof that there’s more to Hokkaido than Niseko when it comes to finding the best snow. Whether you’re looking for the highest snowfall, the best mid-sized resort, or a hidden gem, this data-driven approach will help you find your perfect spot.

Therefore, go wax those skis, pack your bags, and get ready to chase some epic Hokkaido snowfall. And next time someone tells you Niseko is the best, you can smile knowingly and drop some snow science on them.

Happy shredding!

Disclaimer: All data are based on weekly average snowfall in cm from 2007-2024. Snowfall can vary year to year, so always check current conditions before heading out.

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Hokkaido’s Snowfall Histograms

And here you go with the Hokkaido’s snowfall histograms for each resort, showing the weekly average snowfall over the 17-year period (in alphabetical order):

Asahidake Resort

Asahikawa Saint-Present

Asarigawa Onsen

Birao Ski Area

Canmore Ski Area

Fujino Healthland Kokusai

Fukagawa Ski Resort

Furano Resort

Hakodate Nanae

Hidaka Kokusai

Kamui Ski Links

Kamisunagawadake Kokusai

Kiroro Resort

Kurodake Daisetsuzan

Minami Furano

Mount Racey Yubari

Nakayama Toge

Nayoro Piyashiri

Niseko Moiwa

Niseko United

Nissho Ski Resort

Noboribetsu Kogen Sanraiba

Nukabira Onsen

Otaru Tenguyama

Pippu Ski Area

Rankoshi-cho Chisenupuri

Rusutsu Resort

Sahoro Ski Resort

Sapporo Bankei

Sapporo Kokusai

Sapporo Moiwa

Sapporo Teine

Shibetsu-shi Hinata

Shirogane Ski Highland Park Valley

Teine Olympia

Tomamu Hoshino Resorts

Tsubetsu Ski Resort

Yokotsudake Kokusai

Share in the comments which freeriding spots you’d like to see featured in a detailed Destination Guide, and we’ll do our best to include them in future posts! 👇