Nakayamatoge Ski Area Hokkaido
Nakayamatoge Ski Resort is a small ski area in Hokkaido Japan, in the mountains between Sapporo and the Niseko region. It had a history of an operating schedule whereby it closed in the peak of winter, possibly due to the frequent heavy snowfall and blizzards over Nakayama Pass on route 230. Nakayamatoge used to be renowned for being the place that frothing powder hounds would go during early season to get some lift-served turns. In recent years it hasn’t opened early season and is now just an option for late season skiing and snowboarding during April.
It’s a very small ski area and somewhere that you’d potentially hit up when driving between Sapporo and Niseko, after eating some potato croquettes at the Nakayama Pass rest area.
Despite being in an ideal spot that scores lots of Hokkaido powder, Nakayamatoge seems to be hanging on for dear life from a financial viability perspective, likely due to hot competition from high profile neighbouring ski resorts. Considering its blessed geography, purchasing the Nakayamatoge Ski Area might be a good investment for someone with plenty of yen!
Pros and Cons of Nakayamatoge
Pros
- Nakayama Pass receives substantial snowfall.
- The base elevation of Nakayamatoge is one of the highest of the Hokkaido ski areas. The altitude plus north facing slopes contribute to good snow retention and late season skiing.
- It’s uncrowded, relaxed, and delightfully uncommercialised, especially relative to Niseko and Rusutsu.
- The terrain park setup in spring is a drawcard.
- The ski area can be good to build up your early season ski touring fitness. You’d probably need to approach from the highway as the road to the ski area would likely be uncleared.
Cons
- Nakayamatoge is not open during winter.
- It’s very diminutive in size and has very limited lift infrastructure.
- It is not a destination for experienced powder hounds seeking challenging terrain.
Nakayamatoge Ski and Snowboard Terrain
It’s a small ski resort with just 2 courses and 1 double chair lift. It used to have 3 chairlifts and more suitable beginner terrain, but like all too many ski areas in Japan, it had to downsize.
The two courses form a wide area that’s suitable for confident beginners to intermediates, and in spring, lots of park features are set up in the middle. Or you could pop into the trees either side of the piste.
The ski area offers nice views of Mt Yotei, although not quite in the same league as the Yotei-san vistas from Niseko.
Where is Nakayamatoge in Hokkaido?
Whilst officially within the municipal boundaries of the town of Kimobetsu, the ski area is located up on Nakayama Pass about 25 minutes drive from the town centre, just off Route 230.
The Nakayamatoge Ski Field is 46km southwest of Sapporo.
Other ski resorts nearby:
Accommodation
There is no accommodation at the ski area, so you’d want to base yourself somewhere else and drive to Nakayamatoge.
Facilities
Nakayamatoge has simple amenities that include a cafeteria, locker room, and basic equipment and clothing rentals.