Kamui Ski Area Terrain

Kamui Ski Links is little heaven for powder hounds, with dry powder and fresh tracks.

The highlight of the terrain at the Kamui Ski Resort is the off-piste and out-of-bounds areas that are easily accessed. Best of all, off-piste skiing is permitted. The in-bounds off-piste is predominantly tree skiing (and potentially some bamboo skiing), and the out-of-bounds (sidecountry) areas are a combination of open areas and tree skiing.

Kamui Ski Links is only a small resort, but it offers adequate variety to entertain most levels of skiers and boarders for at least a couple of days. There are a few great cruising runs from top to bottom. None of the on-piste terrain is particularly steep, and the bottom half of the mountain is very gentle in pitch and suited to beginners.

This resort has a reputation for being quiet which it generally is, but occasionally there is an influx of ski school participants who form moving obstacles. Off the groomed runs, it is generally uncrowded with plenty of potential for fresh tracks.

Kamui Links Lifts

The main lift is a gondola, and there are 7 other lifts. They are fairly easy to navigate, and the only downside is that the double chair used as egress from the sidecountry is painfully slow. On the plus side, you might appreciate the rest? If skiing out-of-bounds you’ll also need to keep an eye on the time for the last lift.

Lift Tickets

Cheap, good value for money, inexpensive, budget – call it what you like, the lift passes will not break the bank. And better yet, the resort now accepts plastic fantastic for lift tickets.

Kamui Snow Conditions

As with other central Hokkaido ski resorts, the temps are generally very cold and the Kamui Ski Links snow quality is gold! Even if there hasn’t been a fresh snowfall, the powder tends to remain very dry and fluffy.

Beginner and Intermediate Ski and Board Terrain

With 80 perfect of the piste terrain dedicated to beginners and intermediates, there’s just enough on offer for those on the L and P plates. The grooming is of good quality. The only limitation can be all the other punters on the slopes.

For intermediates wanting to progress the turns, the top half of the mountain has a reasonable pitch.

For The Shredder

There is a small park with jumps and kickers, but by no means is this a training ground for the next up and coming world freestyle champion.

Off-Piste Skiing Kamui

There are no steep pitches at Kamui Links, but as a result of the very relaxed approach to off-piste skiing, there is plenty to entertain the advanced rider with some good powder stashes and tree skiing within the resort. The tightness of the trees varies significantly between areas, so there is something for everyone. An enjoyable area is the semi-gladed zones under the gondola, although beware that not all valleys lead down.

The patrollers rope off some areas, generally to indicate the resort boundary. Be careful, because stupidly some of these ropes are white!

Sidecountry

There are some easily accessed out-of-bounds areas that require no hiking, which is great for lazy powder hounds. In many areas the spacing between the trees is beautifully wide, and with not too many riders venturing out-of-bounds, the powder found here can be fresh and very deep.

There’s not much vertical so the runs are short, and it requires a decent traverse to return to the No. 5 double chair lift. The slow traverse may be somewhat frustrating for snowboarders.

The steepest terrain and best snow quality is further afield (so not many snowboarders head there) but be mindful that this terrain can be avalanche prone. As with any backcountry skiing, the usual precautions apply. At least there’s no longer a sign just outside the boundary that says “ski here and you will die”!