Asahikawa offers a compelling case for trading ski-in, ski-out for cultural depth and choice
Last season I posed a question to our Ski & Snowboard Japan Facebook group on what people considered the best ski town in Japan. The responses trickled in: Nozawa Onsen, Hakuba, Zao Onsen, many others… All excellent candidates, each with a strong case.
But I wasn’t just crowdsourcing ideas. I was testing a theory – one that had taken shape after my most recent trip: that Japan’s best ski towns might not be the ones nestled right next to the slopes.
Asahikawa, Japan – Hokkaido’s second largest city
That trip was to Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s second largest city, and it completely changed how I think about what makes a great ski base. It followed a stay in Furano, a resort that, on paper, ticks all the boxes: great terrain, an adjacent town, and all the services of a top-tier destination.
And yet, Asahikawa gave us all of that – and arguably much more.
The perfect base
Our family stayed at OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts, a hotel that flips the typical ski hotel concept by placing it right in the heart of Asahikawa city. Rather than staying slopeside, guests use it as a base to access some of Hokkaido’s best ski areas, including Kamui Ski Links, Asahidake, Santa Present and Pippu Ski Resort.
OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts
The hotel runs daily shuttles to each of these spots, making it easy to ski a different mountain every day without the hassle of relocating. With features like ski lockers, waxing stations, and staff who genuinely know the local terrain, it delivers everything skiers need while keeping them connected to city life.
The rooms themselves are clean and functional – nothing fancy, but perfectly comfortable after a day on the mountain. What really stands out are the shared spaces: the buzzing lobby lounge, with its cozy lighting and open seating, feels more like a social lodge than a hotel lobby. It encourages guests to unwind, chat, and plan their next day’s adventure, creating a sense of community that’s often missing from city hotels.
Après-ski at OMO7 doesn’t stop at the hotel doors – it spills out into the streets of Asahikawa. Instead of the usual bar at the base of the hill, you can explore the city’s excellent local eateries, izakayas, and sake bars, often with help from the hotel’s “Go-KINJO” neighborhood programs and guided food tours (which we used ourselves, with success). It’s a way of extending the ski day into the night, with a distinctly local twist.
Furarito Street in Asahikawa on a winter night — a narrow alley lined with glowing lanterns and small bars, offering a glimpse into the city’s local nightlife scene.
It’s not essential to stay at OMO7 to enjoy skiing in the region – there are other options nearby – but the hotel has played a key role in bridging the gap between a slopeside resort lodge and a city-based stay.
Skiing options in spades
Staying in Asahikawa opened up access to a surprising variety of ski experiences, each offering something unique. I’d initially planned just one day at Kamui Ski Links, but ended up going back for a second. The first day was all about the wide, forgiving beginner slopes while I was teaching my child, and they couldn’t have been better for building confidence.
Kamui strikes a rare balance between the charm of a local hill and the terrain variety you’d expect from a much larger resort
But what brought me back was the unexpectedly impressive layout – Kamui strikes a rare balance between the charm of a local hill and the terrain variety you’d expect from a much larger resort. As someone who loves smaller, characterful ski areas but still craves terrain with bite, Kamui delivered. It’s also home to Miura Snowsports, an English-speaking snowsports school founded by Japanese ski mountaineering legend Gota Miura, making it especially welcoming for international visitors.
That’s me, bottom centre, teaching my 4-year-old to ski. With all the space in the world…
I also spent a day at Asahidake, Hokkaido’s highest mountain and a backcountry haven. It’s not a traditional ski resort – just one ropeway gives access to a network of off-piste terrain that requires serious snow awareness and a guide. I joined a small group through a Facebook connection and hired a local guide for a day of lift-access backcountry skiing. It was an exciting contrast to the other resorts, and the best part was not having to commit my whole trip to a backcountry itinerary – thanks to Asahikawa’s central location, my partner and daughter had a great time exploring the city while I tackled the powder-filled bowls and tree lines.
Asahidake is not a traditional ski resort – just one ropeway gives access to a network of off-piste terrain that requires serious snow awareness and a guide
For a more relaxed family-focused day, Santa Present Park was an absolute gem. It’s a small, local resort just outside the city and ideal for teaching kids. The gentle slopes and laid-back vibe made for an easy, fun day, but I also appreciated the pristine grooming on its intermediate runs. With no lift lines and 5-hour passes priced at just ¥3,500 (around US$24), it’s a total steal for what it offers, and if I were going back in time to learn to ski all over again, this is the kind of place I’d want to be.
For a more relaxed family-focused day, Santa Present Park was an absolute gem
I’d originally planned to visit Pippu Ski Resort as well, another well-loved local hill with a strong reputation among beginner and intermediate skiers. It has that same no-frills, community feel, low lift prices (¥3,500 for a day pass), and a reputation for quiet slopes – perfect for families or those looking to escape the crowds. But my second visit to Kamui ultimately won out.
Of course, if you’re after big-resort polish and deeper terrain options, Furano, Tomamu, and even Sahoro are all within reach from Asahikawa by train or car. OMO7’s flexibility makes it easy to mix and match between city comfort and serious skiing – without locking yourself into one mountain or one kind of trip.
Perfect for groups with different needs
Asahikawa turned out to be an unexpectedly ideal base for our family trip, especially since we were traveling with a low-intermediate partner and a beginner four-year-old. The city’s central location gave us access to a range of ski areas that suited all ability levels – from mellow slopes at Santa Present to the more expansive and varied terrain at Kamui, and even backcountry adventure at Asahidake.
What made it work so well for us was the flexibility to choose the right mountain for the day. On days when we all skied together, we headed to resorts like Kamui or Santa Present, which offered something for everyone – mellow terrain for our child, relaxed runs for my partner, and enough variety to keep me interested. When I wanted something more adventurous, like a solo backcountry day at Asahidake or a second lap at Kamui, my partner and child were more than happy to explore Asahikawa’s parks, museums (special shout out to the Asahikawa Science Museum) and eateries. We didn’t need to compromise – just picked the right plan each day based on mood and ability.
Sumiya in Asahikawa — smoky charcoal‑grilled meats and salt‑seasoned offal served in a cosy, bustling setting
That said, Asahikawa might not be the perfect fit for every group. For those with more uniform goals – say, a group of advanced skiers chasing vertical, or a family with kids all at the same ability level – a traditional slopeside resort like Furano or Tomamu might be more convenient. While we didn’t mind the 30-minute morning shuttle to the mountains (in fact, it became part of the rhythm of the trip), some travellers might prefer the simplicity of waking up and walking straight to the lift. Of course, that kind of convenience tends to come with a higher price tag and fewer off-slope options. In the end, Asahikawa struck a rare balance: city comfort, varied skiing, and real cultural flavour – a combination that worked perfectly for our mixed-ability, food-loving crew.
Other locations that fit the mould
One comment from the original Facebook group thread hinted at the same realisation I’d come to – that Japan’s most rewarding ski towns aren’t always the ones nestled directly beside the slopes, but often the ones that serve as access points to several. It pointed to a growing number of skiers who are rethinking the traditional base-and-resort model in favour of a more flexible, city-based approach.
Sapporo is another city that fits the mould – giving access to a mix of local hills, family resorts, and serious terrain
“In no particular order and this represents utilizing a rental car, enjoying backcountry/sidecountry, and staying in towns/cities close by: Sapporo Kokusai, Sapporo Teine, Geto Kogen, Tazawako, Shizukuishi, Shimokura, Iwate Kogen, Mt T (fka Tenjin), Ani, Nayoro Piyashiri, Hakkoda, Asahidake, Kagura… I could keep going on.”
Asahikawa is a standout example of this model in action – a city that gives access to a mix of local hills, family resorts, and serious terrain like Asahidake, all without having to compromise on comfort, food, or culture. But it’s far from the only one. Sapporo offers a similar setup with quick access to Teine and Kokusai, each offering strong inbounds skiing and sidecountry options. On Honshu, Morioka is emerging as a hub for riders wanting to explore less-trafficked resorts like Geto Kogen, Shizukuishi, and Tazawako – all reachable within a day, and each offering its own unique take on Japanese snow culture.
For skiers and riders open to this more flexible model – using a city or town as a base, renting a car or utilizing shuttles, and cherry-picking resorts based on conditions and mood – a whole new world opens up. It’s a way to explore regions and mountains that might be overlooked if you’re only chasing all-in-one resorts with everything at your doorstep. While it may not suit everyone, this approach unlocks far more of Japan’s ski terrain, local culture, and travel experiences than sticking to a single-name resort ever could.
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