Niseko Annupuri Kita-shamen to Goshiki Onsen Loop (Hokkaido, Japan)

As far as solid lift-assisted day-tours go in Hokkaido, there are few that compare to the Niseko Annupuri Kita-shamen ニセコアンヌプリ北斜面 to Goshiki Onsen 五色温泉 loop. With a number of options available to extend the day's adventuring, this loop should appeal to backcountry skiers of all levels. The route starts with a mind-bending 550m vert in the deepest of deep Niseko powder. Next is a picturesque skin along a snowed-in road, surrounded by volcanoes. Then you'll have a natural hotspring soak before another hit of quality powder turns, leading you back to where you started at Annupuri ski area. Did we mention you'll climb no more than 250m on this loop?

  Kita-shamen means, literally, North Slope (kita 北 north, shamen 斜面 slope). On the initial bootpack up to the Niseko Annupuri summit, you may be forgiven for wondering if you’ll get any fresh tracks at all on this tour. Rest assured, however. The overwhelming majority of punters trudging up to the summit, dragging their resort skis behind them, are huffing and puffing and hoping in vain for their slice of untracked pow down the seething south and eastern aspects from the summit. The remote western and northern aspects of Niseko Annupuri are much more committing, only accessible to those with the means of hiking back out.