Makkimo Route (Yotei-zan, Hokkaido, Japan)

The Makkimo Route マッキモコース up Yotei-zan 羊蹄山 (1898m) has some of the most picturesque glades of native white birch on the mountain. This route gets its name because it's situated between the Makkari 真狩コース and Kimobetsu Routes 喜茂別コース on Yotei, the iconic free-standing volcano east of Niseko. With plenty of parking at the trailhead, it offers some excellent skiing on the upper and lower portions of the route. Like most popular routes up the mountain, the most reliably good skiing is had below around 1300m. Beyond that, be prepared for icy conditions.
  Park up at the public parking area on Route 97. If in a group of multiple vehicles, park close to each other – parking areas can get crowded on weekends and public holidays. Head northwest from the parking area, cutting diagonally across a grid of forestry roads. Existing skin tracks may follow roads part way across the flat-lands. After about 2.5km of very gradual climbing, the slope increases in angle, and the forest starts to change to well-spaced old-growth trees. Approaching 700m in altitude, the trees thin even more, eventually revealing a large low-angle snow field. Cut across this snowfield to the northwest, into a gorgeous glade of white birch. From here the route continues to climb steadily, steep in places. Like all routes on Yotei, the upper sections beyond 1200m gain steepness quickly. For the most reliable snow conditions, most skiers will likely find anything below 1400m is great. Beyond this, conditions can vary substantially, from bullet-proof icy rime to rare unicorn powder conditions all the way to the summit. Return the same way you came up.