Kitataisetsu ski area may re-open pending their financial situation. If Kitataisetsu re-opens it’s worthy of a 1-2 day visit to experience a Mom and Pop Hokkaido ski resort where the powder will be all yours for the taking. You’ll be highly unlikely to see other Westerners and the Japanese are very unlikely to go off-piste. When we visited there were only about 20 riders on the mountain for the day. No wonder they had to close!

Pros: completely uncrowded; dry Hokkaido powder; ability to ski and ride off-piste; delightful tree skiing; a genuine Japanese experience; and super cheap.

Cons: absolutely no one speaks a word of English; no transport options to get there other than a hire car; really slow lifts; small ski area; no steeps; limited facilities; and no on-mountain accommodation. The most obvious con is that Kitataisetsu is currently closed!
See our video here