Hakkoda Ropeway is a ski area located on the slopes of the Hakkoda mountain range to the south of central Aomori City in the central region of Aomori Prefecture.
Hakkoda is unlike most other ski areas in Japan, which usually have clearly-defined ski runs and boundaries. It is popular with people looking for backcountry powder tracks and guided tours.
From the top of the 101-person 2459m ropeway cable car, there are a few more traditional courses in addition to the popular 'tour routes'. The tour routes have set opening times depending on conditions and safety, and people are asked not to enter them alone.
The mountain is also well known for the juhyo ice monster formations on trees, similar to those found at Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture. At Hakkoda, you can ski powder runs between them!
Weather conditions at Hakkoda can be severe, but it usually enjoys a long season from early December into early May.
Mountain
statistics
Top/peak (m)
1324
Vertical (m)
666
Bottom/base (m)
658
Beginner runs (%)
20
Intermediate runs (%)
60
Advanced runs (%)
20
Longest course (m)
5000
Steepest slope (°)
30
Number of courses
5
Ski lifts
1
Ropeway cable car
1
Gondola
0
Quad lift (4-person)
0
Triple lift (3-person)
0
Pair lift (2-person)
0
Single lift (1-person)
0
Surface lift
0
Information
Normal season dates
Hakkoda Ropeway usually plans to be open from mid-December until late April or May. See below for the actual opening and closing dates in recent seasons.
Normal opening hours
Hakkoda Ropeway is normally open from 9:00am with the last Ropeway either at 3:40pm (November through February).
Night skiing
There is no night skiing at Hakkoda.
Tours & backcountry
For many, this ski area is all about the tour routes and backcountry.
Lessons
Various tour guides covering Hakkoda are available and a ski and snowboard school is available at Hakkoda.
Lift ticket prices
2025-2026 season
Information for the upcoming 2026-2027 season will be added by December 2026
Ropeway single
Adult: 1,400 yen
Child: 450 yen
Ropeway return
Adult: 2,200 yen
Child: 700 yen
6 times
Adult: 6,400 yen
Child: 2,150 yen
11 times
Adult: 10,600 yen
Child: 3,000 yen
1 month ropeway
Adult: 33,000 yen
Season ropeway
Adult: 66,000 yen
Child: 21,000 yen
Historical snow depth data
The following ski season and official snow depth data have been independently compiled by SnowJapan for publication on this website. Where available, the data is updated annually after each ski season.
First and last dates of recent seasons
2025-2026 season: 20th December - 3rd May (135 days)
2024-2025 season: 15th December - 6th May (143 days)
2023-2024 season: 16th December - 27th April (134 days)
2022-2023 season: 11th December - 29th April (140 days)
2021-2022 season: 18th December - 5th May (139 days)
Deepest recorded snow depth
2025-2026 season: 450cm on 28th-30th January
2024-2025 season: 495cm on 23rd February
2023-2024 season: 285cm on 5th March
2022-2023 season: 455cm on 22nd February
2021-2022 season: 460cm on 7th February
2020-2021 season: 440cm on 27th February
2019-2020 season: 270cm on 10th February
2018-2019 season: 430cm on 14th February
2017-2018 season: 430cm on 21st and 25th February
2016-2017 season: 340cm on 11th March
2015-2016 season: 240cm on 11th February
2014-2015 season: 380cm on 15th-16th February
Resources
Weather & snowfall (Japan Meteorological Agency) [open in new window]
Introduction to the region
Aomori Prefecture is located in the Tohoku region on the northwestern side of Honshu. It is the most northerly Prefecture of Honshu, and the Tsugaru Strait separates it from Hokkaido. Akita Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture share a border with Aomori to the south.
There are ski areas across Aomori, with the most well-known probably being on the slopes of the Hakkoda mountain range. This location is about 20km south of Aomori City. It is famous for backcountry tours, unforgiving weather, and 'juhyou' (frost-covered trees, also known as 'snow monsters'). The other larger-scale operation in the prefecture is Aomori Spring Ski Resort in Ajigasawa Town.
Many of the other ski areas in Aomori Prefecture are small operations.
Hakkoda Ropeway and Hakkoda Kokusai are in Aomori City. The other ski area within the borders of the city is Link Station Hills Moya.
About the information on this page
SnowJapan independently researches, checks and updates the information on this page at least once each year, in the lead-up to every ski season. We also update it whenever we become aware of other changes. The information published on SnowJapan is based on independent research using official Japanese-language sources and is not supplied by ski areas. If you are planning to visit a ski area, we recommend checking the official ski area website for the latest operational information. We take great care to keep the information on SnowJapan accurate and up to date. However, SnowJapan accepts no responsibility for decisions made based on information published on this website.
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