If you’re heading straight to Hokkaido, it’s possible to connect from Tokyo to Sapporo via a short flight ... Much of the sidecountry skiing still requires ski touring gear to exit, so be prepared, ...

In Japan, the first place where ski mountaineering began was the Academic Alpine Club of Hokkaido, which is part of Hokkaido University. The students here have been skiing for over 100 years.

Hokkaido and its capital are so much more than just winter attractions. Sure, there’s something magical about the island’s snow-covered landscapes. But the magic is there no matter the time of year: ...