niseko region terrain guide
The Niseko region features a wide range of exciting terrain to explore. Whether you are looking for groomed turns, the best sidecountry powder pockets, or full backcountry immersion away from the crowds, our Niseko Region Terrain Guide is your complete resource for finding the right experience to suit you.
RESORT TERRAIN GUIDE
Basic information about the local resorts such as elevation, number of runs, and terrain map.
Gate System Guide
Understand the back/side country terrain which is accessed from in-resort lifts.
Backcountry Guide
Find out where our Backcountry Guides can take you to find the deepest powder in the area.
Resort terrain guide
The Resort Terrain Guide is for anyone looking for an in-resort experience. Find out which resort in the Niseko area is right for you!
NISEKO RESORT TERRAIN GUIDE
Niseko United Resort has quickly gained a reputation worldwide for its endless powder and picturesque mountain ranges overlooking Mt Yotei. What many people don’t know is that Niseko is actually made up of four interlinked resorts which all sit around the base of the Niseko Annupuri mountain. The terrain on offer at each of the four resorts offers and endless opportunities for runs & exploration for every level of rider.
- Average snowfall: 14m
- Top lifted elevation: 1,188m
- Peak elevation: 1,308m
- Adult lift pass from ¥8,100
- Great for all ability levels
- 32 ski runs | 50km of runs
rusutsu RESORT TERRAIN GUIDE
A scenic 40-minute drive around Mt Yotei will bring you to Rusustu Resort. Known for its snow-covered amusement park and themed center just as much as its deep powder and interesting terrain. A trip to Rusutsu is a must during your Niseko stay – the resorts offer something for everyone with 3 peaks offering a range of terrain options for everyone.
kiroro RESORT TERRAIN GUIDE
Kiroro Resort is well known for being one of the powder capitals of Hokkaido, with an average snowfall of 21 meters and an elevation of 1,180 meters at its highest lifted point the resort offers dry champagne powder in plenty. Also known for its impeccable groomed runs & resort facilities we highly recommend a trip to Kiroro Snow World during your Niseko tour
- Average snowfall: 21m
- Top elevation: 1,180m
- Adult lift pass from ¥5,300
- Great for all ability levels
- 10 ski lifts | 30kms
- Travel time: 50 mins
moiwa RESORT TERRAIN GUIDE
Located only a short 20-minute drive from the popular Hirafu Resort, Moiwa has become famous for its beautiful groomed runs & Niseko Powder, without the crowds. A day at Moiwa resort will see you truly relax and feel you have left the hustle and bustle of the Niseko area behind. Moiwa is also a great option for those new to skiing & snowboarding offering a learning area with a magic carpet and quiet slopes great for progression during your first few days.
- Average snowfall: 14m
- Top elevation: 800m
- Adult lift pass from ¥4,500
- Great for all ability levels
- 4 ski lifts | 470m of vertical
- Travel time: 25 mins
- 2 Gates accessing backcountry terrain
* Regular Private Lessons do not access terrain beyond the Gates. Please book our Guiding products if you are interested in experiencing these areas.
gate SYSTEM guide
The beautiful backcountry of Niseko is accessible through a unique gate system with her “Niseko Rules”. The gates offer an almost unlimited amount of backcountry options, increasing the terrain on the mountain by over 50%. All of this terrain is accessible by lift with minimal hiking. The backcountry in Niseko is unpatrolled avalanche terrain, therefore, we strongly recommend that you hire a guide for your own safety.
Rhythm Rides’ experienced Guides operate daily in the Niseko area and can take you to the best lines in the backcountry.
Kozan no sawa
Also called “Backbowl”, Kozan no Sawa is arguably the steepest terrain from the peak of Niseko. You will be able to access this amazing bowl with a 20 minute hike from Gate 3. The runout offers very playful terrain with a big natural half pipe that brings you all the way back to the Annupuri side of the ski resort.
Kita Shamen
If you really want to venture far out Kita Shamen will be your gig! It is a 20 minute hike to the drop in zone from the peak of Niseko. This north face is a beautiful big powder field with the coldest snow on the mountain. The traverse back to the resort requires a lot of energy but is well worth it!
Jackson’s
If you are looking for the deepest powder from the peak, "Jackson’s" located on the east side of the mountain is your go! Hike for 20 minutes to the peak from gate 3 and drop east towards Hanazono. After your blower turns, you end up on the summer route where you will need to hike back to Hanazono.
Osawa Bowl
Osawa bowl provides a lot of good powder runs for very little effort. Traversing out of gate 1, 2 or 8, you will be able to find beautiful spacious tree-runs, natural pipes and fun little drops. The runout will bring you straight back to the Annupuri side of the ski resort.
Mizuno No Sawa
This beautiful powder bowl is to be found at gate 11 in Niseko Village. It’s famous for the long and deep powder runs in spacious trees and the effortless run-out back to the gondola of Niseko village. You will be able to lap this zone all day without having to hike for your turns!
Moiwa bowl & mikeari Bowl
Just off the top lift, out of gate 6 you can enter the Moiwa bowl, with a little longer ridge walk you can enter the Mikeari bowl. Both offer amazing tree skiing with drops and natural half pipes, in often deep snow conditions! Don’t drop too low, otherwise you might get stuck in the flat or in Annupuri ski resort.
Anbetsu Creek side
Head out of gate 10 to ride some amazing spacious powder bowls. There are some great open faces and treeruns to be found. Don’t venture too far West in this zone You could end up traversing for a long time. To head back to the lift may require some pushing or skating.
RECOMMENDED ABILITY
Gate 6: I can ride all blue terrain and easy black runs/off-piste. Gate 10: I can ride all blue terrain and easy black runs/off-piste.
RECOMMENDED FITNESS
Gate 6: I can ride all day off piste runs and a small 20 minute hike will be fine. Gate 10: I can ride all day with a lunch break & short water breaks
Teine Gate
Teine is famous for being steep and deep! The backcountry got a lot of open bowls on offer and even some spicy cliffs. The views are spectacular over Sapporo and the Japanese sea. The runout is a traverse back to the ski resort. Perfect ingredients for fast laps of the peak!
RECOMMENDED ABILITY
I can ride steep off piste terrain and deep powder in trees.
RECOMMENDED FITNESS
I can ride all day with a lunch break & short water breaks
Asari gate
Asari gate is by far the most popular gate of the two. It offers a lot of different opportunities in the backcountry. There are a lot of different bowls to pick from with spacious treeruns and very deep snow. From Asari gate you can also venture out to the peak of Kiroro; Yoichi dake. But touring gear and a guide are highly recommended out of this gate.
Nagamine gate
The more remote gate of the two. The backcountry starts fairly mellow, but if you know where you are going there are some really fun treeruns with pillows and deep snow to be found. The runout is pretty long and you need to know where you are going. Make sure you don’t get stuck in the flat on a deep powder day.
RECOMMENDED ABILITY
I can ride all black runs and trees off-piste.
RECOMMENDED FITNESS
I can ride all day with a lunch break & short water breaks.
BACKCOUNTRY GUIDE
YOTEI-ZAN
It’s the world famous, very dominant, glorious stratovolcano in the backyard of Niseko. This dormant volcano is also referred to as Ezo-Fuji (The fuji of Hokkaido). The endless bowls in all aspects of the mountain, beautiful treelines and spectacular views make this perfect volcano a very popular touring destination. On a perfect blue bird day, you might be lucky to even drop the crater of Yotei. A one of a kind experience!
Kiroro Backcountry
If you think Niseko is a powder heaven, we will reveal to you a little surprise. Kiroro receives even more snow! When the sun finally shows itself in Kiroro, a lot of beautiful peaks will appear in the backcountry of Kiroro including Mini Alaska & the highest peak called; Yoichi dake.
SHIRIBETSU DAKE
Shiribetsu is famous for her deep and spacious gullies on many aspects of the mountain. Reaching the main ridge line will amaze you with stunning views of Yotei and the local area. Shiribetsu is prone to avalanche under certain conditions, so be smart and take a guide in consideration.
NITONUPURI
Our team know how to get the most out of the entire mountain experience. We've been based in Japan accumulating a wealth of local experience for years.
Iwaonupuri & Goshiki onsen
In the shadow of her taller sister Annupuri dake lies Iwaonupuri and the shorter faces of Goshiki. This area has a lot of different terrain on offer and doesn’t need much approach to get to it. A perfect day out when the sun is showing herself.
Chisenupuri & Shakunage dake
Two classic strato volcano shaped mountains filled with dry hokkaido powder. To summit, you will need to cover some ground on the ascent. This will be well rewarded on a good weather day. It’s a popular touring area, especially towards springtime.
MORE INFO
Meet the Team
Our team know how to get the most out of the entire mountain experience. We've been based in Japan accumulating a wealth of local experience for years.

Your Ability
Our ability chart describes your skiing or snowboarding ability and allows us to better plan an epic experience catered to your goals.

Ski & Board Rentals
We offer ski and snowboard rentals in Niseko, Hakuba, and Furano. Rent with us and enjoy unlimited gear swaps to suit the terrain and weather conditions!

Snow Safety
The Niseko Rules are created for the safety and freedom of every skier and snowboarder riding inside or outside the ski resort boundaries.