Kamoidake

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Kamoidake Kokusai
Kamoidake Kokusai
Kamoidake has 2 pair lifts
Kamoidake has 2 pair lifts
The lift infrastructure is fairly basic
The lift infrastructure is fairly basic
Backcountry skiing from Kamoidake
Backcountry skiing from Kamoidake
Kamoidake Ski Resort Hokkaido
Kamoidake Ski Resort Hokkaido
Tree skiing Kamoidake
Tree skiing Kamoidake
The courses are for intermediates
The courses are for intermediates
Kamoidake Ski Area
Kamoidake Ski Area
Day lodge at Kamoi-dake
Day lodge at Kamoi-dake
Simple cafeteria
Simple cafeteria
Classic Japan ski resort fare
Classic Japan ski resort fare
Off-piste skiing Kamoidake
Off-piste skiing Kamoidake
The hotel below the ski area
The hotel below the ski area
West side of Kamoidake
West side of Kamoidake
The lifts no longer operate on the west side
The lifts no longer operate on the west side
Kamoidake Hokkaido
Kamoidake Hokkaido
Kamoidake ski area
Kamoidake ski area

Kamoidake

Readers Ratings

Kamoidake

Kamoidake3/51
Kamoidake3 out of 5 based on 1 reviews
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Kamoidake Kokusai

Kamoidake Ski Resort in Hokkaido is unfortunately like too many Japanese ski areas that have seen a partial demise. Kamoidake Kokusai has experienced some financial woes and had to close in 2019. It used to have two main areas, West and East, and since it reopened for the 2021/22 season, only the East zone has been operating (although it had a random opening in late February 2023).

Despite the major shrinkage of the Kamoidake ski area, it still has some appealing traits for powder hounds including a relaxed attitude to off-piste skiing, reasonable tree runs and sidecountry areas, and a lack of crowds. “Kokusai” means “international” yet Kamoidake Kokusai is completely off the radar of international skiers and snowboarders. 

Pros and Cons of Kamoidake

Pros 
  • Kamoidake is uncrowded and visitors are mostly the defence force or ski racers who are not interested in poaching your powder.
  • Kamoidake gets doused with plenty of quality Central Hokkaido snow.
  • Kamoidake is ideal for intermediate riders, with wide open runs of varying pitch.
  • A new terrain park with its rails, boxes and jumps is starting to attract a little attention.
  • If you’ve got wheels, Kamoidake can be visited as a day trip from Furano or Asahikawa.
  • Lift passes are cheap.
Cons
  • It is a little ski area with not enough terrain variety to hold the attention of experienced riders for very long.
  • The lifts are slow and old.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
  • The ski area has some sidecountry that requires careful navigation or a guide.

Kamoidake Ski and Snowboard Terrain

Kamoidake is just a small ski area with 2 slow double chair lifts. The vertical is 251 metres from 216 to 467 metres, and there are just 5 courses. Whilst beginner runs are indicated on the trail map, they require an initial descent on an intermediate run and in the absence of a mid station on the lifts, Kamoidake is not appropriate for first timers or nervous beginners. The courses are all for intermediates and have a little pitch at the top, and there is no piste terrain for advanced riders. Kamoidake Ski Resort has a new terrain park adjacent to the A lift.

On a weekday when the ski racers and defence force are not milling about, it wouldn’t be unheard of to feel like you had visited a private ski resort.

Kamoidake has a very small amount of tree skiing within the resort boundaries, and it seems kosher. There are also easy trees just to the side of the ski area. If you head further into the sidecountry there are cliffs and gullies, so plenty of navigation nous or a guide is required. Different backcountry lines terminate on the road.

If you have access to a driver, you can ski the former West area for more fresh laps. The courses are more mellow than the East side, whilst some treed areas provide a little more pitch.

You can see how we've rated the Kamoidake ski terrain on the Hokkaido ski area ratings.

Kamoidake Snow

The top elevation is not particularly high and the aspect predominantly east facing on the operational side, but during the middle of winter when temperatures are cold, the quality of the snow is usually pretty good. It’s well located in Hokkaido, not too far from the coast, so it usually scores good volumes of snow and probably a little more snow than nearby Kamui Ski Links.

Where is Kamoidake?

Kamoidake is located in Central Hokkaido in the zone between the cities of Sapporo and Asahikawa. It is 91km northeast of Sapporo and 55km southwest of Asahikawa.

See the Kamoidake travel page for more information on location and getting there.

Accommodation

Kamoidake Onsen is an old style hotel at the base that barely seems operational. It’s not ski-in ski-out as it sits down below the access road, and there are no direct stairs to get up to the ski area.

As Kamoidake is usually just visited for a one day trip, most people stay in Asahikawa accommodation or Furano accommodation.

Ski Resort Facilities

The Kamoidake ski resort facilities and services are in the Center House and cover the basics. There is a cafeteria, equipment rentals and lockers.

The hotel has an onsen which can be utilised by day trippers.

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Hokkaido Explorer Tour
FULLY GUIDED & HOSTED TOUR
12 Nights - 10 Ski Areas - 10 Days Skiing/Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Chase the best conditions and snowfall in the side country at Hokkaido's best ski areas. Based in the city of Asahikawa, then Furano, Otaru & Niseko.
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share option per person for last group tour for 2024-25 season.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,318
View Details
 
See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Kamoidake here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Central Hokkaido Guiding
GUIDED TRIPS AT/FROM FURANO
PRIVATE GROUPS of up to 5 guests
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
If you are in Furano with a group and want fresh tracks, head out with a Furano ski guide (or snowboard guide) at Furano or at one of the nearby ski areas or go backcountry touring with a guide. PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY of up to 6 guests i.e. you cannot join a group.
Price p/p From price based on PER PERSON rate for PRIVATE GROUP of 5 in peak season for 2025. Full rate is 130,000 yen for group of up to 5.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 177
View Details
 
Asahikawa Freeride Tour
GUIDED FREERIDE TOUR ASAHIKAWA AREA
7 Days | 6 Nights | 5 Days Riding
Ability: Advanced
The city of Asahikawa is an ideal base. Explore the restaurants & bars by night, and by day the guides will take you to the best Central Hokkaido ski area depending on the conditions. Guided freeride trip of the off-piste & sidecountry of ski areas.
Price p/p
USD 2,990
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Kamoidake here
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