Aomori Spring Resort – Overview
Quite an underrated ski resort. Basically, they have absolutely everything here – cold weather, dry deep snow, pistes for beginner to experts (more of beginner and intermediate though), side country and off piste backcountry, an extensive snowboard park and much more. Great for all ages, all abilities and but maybe not enough challenging terrain for upper intermediate or experts. The only downside aside from lackluster expert terrain is that there is no village. Their website is very well maintained and is offered in English.
According to Wikipedia, “Sakayu Onsen (酸ヶ湯) is the snowiest inhabited place on earth” with a total of about 17.6m of snow per annum. That’s an average! Imagine hitting a good year. Sakayu Onsen is just 60km away from Aomori Spring Resort. The mountain is north facing. While you will get a great view of the Sea of Japan, you will also greet incoming weather head-on. This is also another reason why the resort gets so much snow. When winter winds are northerly or north westerly (this is where the wind is coming from), it picks up moisture over the sea of Japan and then as the air mass gains altitude over Mt Iwaki (Aomori Spring Resort is located on Mt Iwaki), temperatures cool and finally create snow.
There is another resort on the south side of Mt Iwaki but I would guess they do not get as much snow as Aomori Spring Resort.
Is Night Skiing Available?
Yes, night skiing is available over several pistes. Many resorts only have a single run but not here!
Ski Season Length & Hours of Operation
The mountain is usually open from mid or latter Dec to latter March or the beginning of Apr. For the 23/24 ski season, they were open from Dec 20 to Mar 31.
Planned dates for 24/25 are Dec 14 to Mar 31.
Park, Off Piste and Other Attractions
Snowboard Park
The snowboard park is one of the best we have seen in Japan (Goryu in Hakuba is another good one). Here are some of the features:
- small to medium jump line
- boxes and rails
- hips
- 22ft (6.7m) half pipe – this requires a separate pass costing Yen 1,000. You must also sign a liability waiver.
- if you join one of their camps, you also have access to bagjump
Half pipes of course take time to construct and therefore, just like any hill, it will take a couple of weeks of good snow and sweat to build it up.
Backcountry Tours
Backcountry tours are offered. They are only available to experienced and the physically fit. There is a lot of hiking in backcountry. Tours are available for a minimum group of 2 people. The guide is JMGA-qualified. Tours are of course weather dependent.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoes are available for rent. 2 hour guided hikes are available for a minimum party of 2 and up to 10 people. Reservations should be made in advance.
Onsen
There is an onsen located in the Rockwood hotel. They have both inside and outside baths. The onsen is free to customers of the Rockwood hotel. It is open from 1200hrs to the next day at 0900hrs.
Rentals
Yes, lots of rentals here. They offer entire sets from snowbaords and skis to boots, poles, ski and snowboard wear, etc. You can rent high-end performance models, too.
Ski & Snowboard Schools
Yes, a ski and snowboard school is available and in English, too, but best to make reservation ahead of time due to limited number of instructors. Lessons are available from 1000-1200hrs in the morning and from 1330-1530hrs in the afternoon.
Map of Aomori Spring Resort – English!
You can download the PDF here.