Chisennupri peak

Starting from the Niseko Chisenupuri Ski Area parking lot, head towards the Hokkaido Backcountry Club’s catskiing base. Approaching the old wooden building, you’ll see a clearly marked public-use up-track to the left, marked with the words ‘Backcountry’. Hokkaido Backcountry Club’s commitment to keeping the backcountry accessible to all is commendable – respect that commitment by keeping to the left of the main ski area. From the cat ski base, there’s the public use uptrack, clearly marked by orange tape tied to trees – once again, thanks Hokkaido Backcountry Club! Follow this uptrack to around 750m, where the marked up-track will veer uphill to the right – the uptrack heads right, towards the upper (derelict) cablecar station. Early in the season, instead of following the marked up-track, head straight ahead, following the shallow gully, eventually veering to the right. Staying in the shallow gully will avoid having to drop down from the 832m point and then up again. Later in the season, there a large cornice develops above the gully to the looker’s left. In this case, it’s safer to follow the up-track to the lift top station, and head north from there.

Once roughly due north of the derelict lift station, start climbing in earnest out of the shallow gully, veering to the looker’s left to avoid the cornice. In about 50 vertical meters or so, you’ll emerge onto the 870m plateau. If the weather is clear, you’ll have a clear view of Chisenupuri’s south face. The faint south-southeast ridge is where this route ascends , all the way to the summit. If visibility is low, skiers will need to be vigilant to check their bearings – the flat plateau can be disorienting.

The Hokkaido Yukiyama Guide notes that the eastern face of Chisenupuri above the treeline is classic Hokkaido avalanche terrain, so should be avoided. Also note that nearing the summit, underfoot conditions can deteriorate, with crust and rime common. This route returns the way it came from. On the descent, make sure to keep to the skier’s right of the Chisenupuri Ski Area – non-paying skiers are asked to keep off the catskiing area.