SR : Shiribeshi Stories, Hokkaido 2012/13

For 6 of the past 7 years I've been very fortunate to winter in the Shiribeshi subprefecture on the island of Hokkaido, northern Japan.

Shiribeshi has it all - a rugged coastline, mountains, volcanoes, geothermal onsens, rivers, lakes, and marshes, with four distinct seasons all at an agricultural pace of life.

A lift accessed winter season stretching from the end of November through to the first week in May, with an average annual snowfall of 12m. Far from average!

Spring skiing until the end of July most years, followed by cool, dry summers playing golf, walking in the mountains, and swimming in the sea.

And to cap off the year an Autumnal colour show to rival that of New England.

For ski afficiandos this is close to perfect.

Shiribeshi
http://www.shiribesh...rk/en/index.htm


My previous season reports can be found here:

SR : Snow to near Village (Niseko) 2008-09
http://www.snowjapan...village-niseko/

TR : Spring on Hokkaido 2011
http://www.snowjapan...html#Post405321

SR : Hokkaido 2011-12
http://www.snowjapan...kkaido-2011-12/


My home from home this winter is Eggshell cabin in Higashiyama, with views of the Niseko Village area of the Niseko United.

The four connected ski areas of the Niseko United - Niseko Annupuri Kokusai, Niseko Village (formerly Higashiyama), Niseko Hirafu, and Niseko Hanazono - or Niseko as it's known to locals and visitors alike is the most popular area on Hokkaido.

NISEKO RESORT AREA

Niseko United
http://www.niseko.ne.jp/en/

Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=122

Niseko Village
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=121

Niseko Hirafu
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=120

Niseko Hanazono
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=691

In addition there are the two operating but unconnected ski areas of Niseko Moiwa and Niseko Chisenupuri, the cat skiing operation on the former Niseko Weiss Ski Ground, and ski touring opportunities on the closed Niseko Iwanai Kokusai Ski Ground.

Niseko Moiwa
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=123

Niseko Chisenupuri
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=219


Niseko Iwanai Kokusai


But outside of the Niseko Resort Area there is a world of ski areas big and small to excite and beguile.

KUTCHAN

Asahigaoka
http://www.snowjapan...l.php?resid=424


RUSUTSU VILLAGE

Rusutsu
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=124


KIMOBETSU

Nakayama Toge Ski Area
http://www.snowjapan...l.php?resid=208


AKAIGAWA

Kiroro Snow world
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=126


OTARU

Asarigawa Onsen Ski Area
http://www.snowjapan...l.php?resid=127

Otaru Tenguyama
http://www.snowjapan...l.php?resid=125

Snow Cruise Onze
http://www.snowjapan...l.php?resid=209


And just beyond Shiribeshi's border you find the Sapporo resorts of Sapporo Kokusai and Teine.

SAPPORO

Sapporo Kokusai
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=128

Teine
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=132


I hope to get to most of these areas this winter, and travel further afield to Central and Northern Hokkaido.