YOUR ABILITY?

At Iwanai Resort we strive to accommodate everyone; however, our CAT tour is not suitable for beginners or those new to powder skiing.  We require intermediate skiing or snowboarding skills, including some prior experience with powder snow. Our top priority is your safety and delivering an exceptional day.  We aim to keep all groups together and hope to avoid splitting CATS based on ability.  In the case of significant differences in ability within the CAT, we may be able to arrange guidance to alternative (easier) terrain for those who need it. It’s important to note that our lodge is never too far away and offers comfort and convenience when needed. 

It's important to highlight that every participant on the CAT deserves a day that is equally epic and if someone consistently lags or struggles to keep pace, we may kindly ask them to return to the lodge.  The group’s safety and enjoyment are of utmost importance to us. We are dedicated to creating a memorable powder skiing experience.

TERRAIN

For our advanced guests, highlights include old-growth tree skiing, steep glades and challenging fall-line runs. With minimal traversing, you can easily ski three full days of powder without repeating a line. Under our guides' supervision, advanced guests can ski nearly every aspect of our mountain, as few zones pose a significant risk to avalanche. Our intermediate riders can gain confidence in powder turns on the retired courses and the well-spaced tree runs between. Guests overwhelmed by the powder conditions need not worry. We can easily throw another guide on the CAT to provide more support and instruction. Our mountain delivers a wide variety of terrain, making it an excellent option for any level of ski adventure.

While we appreciate the allure of our retired course runs, we primarily focus on exploring the enchanting forest terrain throughout the day. If you desire a day filled with only retired course runs, we recommend booking a private CAT.

SEASONAL CONDITIONS

Embark on a journey through the renowned Japanese powder you've always fantasized about. Hokkaido, the ultimate destination for powder skiing, lives up to its illustrious reputation. When Siberian weather systems converge with the Niseko range, blankets of powder cascade from the Sea of Japan onto our slopes. Not only is Hokkaido's snow plentiful, but it's also exceptionally light and dry, boasting a snow content that ranks it as the finest powder on Earth. From late December to March, immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Hokkaido's unmatched powder skiing. Discover why it remains the envy of skiers worldwide.

Terrain and snow conditions are quite consistent in Hokkaido; this is what you can typically expect from our region:

Early Season (December 20th – January 10th) Experience consistent and deep powder days, although our terrain is limited to the course runs and some glades between the courses. During this time, we typically operate one snow CAT.

Mid-January to the End of February Enjoy consistently deep powder days as we open the upper drop point and secondary CAT access road. With each passing storm, the terrain opens up, becoming increasingly playful.

March Onwards Never underestimate this season, as some of the best powder days occur here. Spring begins to show, offering longer days, fully opened terrain, excellent visibility, and sought-after bluebird days.