Daisetsuzan Kurodake - Sounkyo

Daisetsuzan Kurodake is located by Sounkyo Onsen in Daisetsuzan National Park in central Hokkaido. Like Asahidake, this is more of a snow mountain with lift access than a typical ski resort. You take a ropeway and chairlift up to Kurodake, but the skiing is small-scale, wild, and clearly dependent on weather and snow conditions.

What makes Kurodake interesting is its location. The area sits high up, the snow is often cold and light, and when winter delivers, the tree zones and open slopes can offer truly excellent powder skiing. That said, it’s not a place for long days lapping groomers. Groomed terrain is limited, and much of the experience is about reading the terrain, finding good snow, and accepting that weather windows call the shots.

For experienced skiers, there are opportunities for off-piste and lift-accessed touring, but this is alpine terrain in a national park—not a controlled freeride resort. Wind, cold, poor visibility, and avalanche risk need to be taken seriously. At the same time, Sounkyo Onsen at the base provides a distinctly Japanese setting, with hot baths after skiing and a more remote feel than the big Hokkaido resorts.