Shirai-dake Ski Touring (Hokkaido, Japan)

Shirai-dake 白井岳 (1301m) has been long known as a magnet for backcountry skiers, with relatively easy access and great snow. Its northern aspect slopes offer a great variety of spurs lower down, and some spectacular lappable terrain further up. Given its close proximity to Sapporo Kokusai Ski area, the peak gets a fair amount of traffic. Given the sheer acreage of terrain below the summit, however, there's plenty of untracked snow to go around.

Given its proximity to the Sapporo Kokusai Ski Area, one would be forgiven for thinking that you could just ride the lifts to the top of the ski area, scooch over to Shirai-dake, and ski down. The reality is that it’s actually quite a long way from Asari-dake to Shirai-dake along the horseshoe ridge, to the tune of almost 2 hours, not including the climb from the top lift station (which is, at any rate, frowned upon). The hike from the base of the ski area up the Asaridake-sawa gully is really quite picturesque, however, and is very much worth it in its own right.

Note that you’ll be sharing the Asaridake-sawa gully with ski area punters descending the side-country on the southern aspect slopes off the ski area. Climbers should take caution and make way for skiers descending. While you might start wondering why you didn’t just take the lifts up and ski those southern-aspect slopes, rest assured that you’ll be getting the goods – the northern aspect slopes below Shirai-dake is where the good snow is at, only available to those who earn their turns.

Snowbridges:This route crosses the Asaridakesawa-gawa creek a number of times. Snow bridges may not be fully formed early in the season, so take care.