Shiribetsu-dake West Bowl Backcountry Skiing (Hokkaido, Japan)

his Western Bowl Route up Shiribetsu-dake (尻別岳, 1107m) is one of this volcano's most popular routes. Access is straight forward, navigation is relatively simple, and there are a variety of descent options. On a clear day, the lower summit will allow views of Yotei-zan to the northwest, and Lake Toya far in the distance to the south. Due to the route's popularity, it's advisable to get in early, and make the most of one's turns before the hordes arrive. The descent down the clear avalanche path should only be attempted in stable conditions. The well-spaced trees on the looker's right are also fantastic skiing terrain.

Shiribetsu-dake has somewhat of a folklorish presence within the Hokkaido backcountry skiing community. On the one hand, it offers some of the most easily accessible steep skiing in southern Hokkaido. The snow, too, is extremely deep and dry. There’s a reason it’s home to Hokkaido’s only heliskiing operation – the snow is that good.

On the other hand, it’s also known locally as a melting pot of every sort of avalanche you’ll encounter in Hokkaido, all in one convenient package – colossal glide cracks (the ‘crevasses’ of Hokkaido), full-depth avalanches, loose dry and loose wet activity. This peak sees it all, on all aspects, all season long. That said, with good terrain management on the part of skiers, Shiribetsu-dake can be a fantastic place to ski.

The route outlined here accesses the 989m peak from the northwest, via a relatively mellow gully through well-spaced old-growth forest glades. On the descent, there are a few options available that can be dialled according to the day’s avalanche conditions and one’s own appetite for and experience with exposure to avalanche terrain. This route accesses the 989m peak from a different direction than the more popular West Bowl route.