The surrounds of Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s second-largest city, are filled with a plethora of amazing ski areas, but there is a hidden treasure that boasts size and top-quality snow and yet is surprisingly still relatively unknown amongst skiers and snowboarders from outside of Japan—Kamui Ski Links.
So why has this ski area continued to fly under the radar? Simply because there are no resort hotels or other places to stay in the immediate area surrounding it. Many snow lovers visit from the surrounds of Asahikawa because it’s only a short thirty – forty minute trip from the city, making it highly convenient and the perfect place to base your travels considering how expansive this ski slope is and the amazing quality of snow it offers. Shuttle buses within Asahikawa from hotels such as Hoshino Resorts’ OMO7 to the ski area have made it all the more convenient. You can wake up, hop on a shuttle bus in the morning, and head straight to the slopes without needing to go to the hassle of renting a car.
Kamui Ski Links is quite possibly the best ski area for those who want to base their travels in a major city to enjoy the tourist attractions available, whilst also scratching their itch for a fulfilling ski holiday. The ski area itself is enormous and the groomed slopes are great for carving up huge and extremely satisfying arcs into.
You can also venture into one of the many off-piste areas made available for visitors to shred up. These courses are well patrolled and opened on a day-to-day basis depending on conditions, so you can set your mind at ease as you weave in and out of the trees. There are many skiers and snowboarders who get to shred these runs all by themselves without another soul in sight and even I have hesitations about mentioning this amazing haven to others for fear of losing this joy to the crowds. Kamui is a treasure trove of hidden wonders that continues to give the more you dig into it. I’m almost positive that your curiosity will keep you coming back day after day during your stay in Asahikawa. Lift tickets here are priced very reasonably, so maybe now is your chance to dive into all this place has to offer before word gets out about just how great it really is.
For all of you foodies out there, I’m sure many of you visit Japan because of your love for ramen and Kamui will not disappoint. If I haven’t convinced you enough yet, then I’m sure I will with my recommendation to visit “NOBu,” a ramen restaurant at the base of the Kamui ski slope. Asahikawa is known, even in Japan, for its delicious ramen and NOBu is an extremely famous, long-established purveyor of Asahikawa-style ramen with traditional flavours that will have you hooked. You won’t find many ski areas in Japan that offer ramen of such fame and flavour as NOBu in Kamui.
