Hokkaido’s Snowstorm: Skiers Getting Lost Left and Right

Winter in Hokkaido is usually all about perfect ski conditions, but this time, things got way out of hand. A crazy amount of snow has turned the place into a danger zone, leaving tons of skiers stranded and rescue teams working overtime.

Too Much Snow, Too Many Problems

On February 8, Japan’s weather authorities warned that Hokkaido and parts of Honshu were getting buried under record-breaking snowfall. The snow wasn’t just piling up—it was making travel a nightmare and messing up ski resorts.

You’d think skiers would love the extra snow, but it’s been causing major trouble. Since February 5, people have been calling for emergency rescues after getting lost in deep snow, far from the marked trails.

The main issue? Too many people wandering off-course and ending up in places they shouldn’t be.

Skiers Keep Getting Stuck

At Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, five tourists took a gondola up the mountain, went off-trail, and got stuck on a steep slope. Lucky for them, they somehow managed to get back on their own.

Over at Teine Ski Resort, two snowboarders in their 30s got lost after leaving the official route. A rescue team had to go out and find them at night, but at least they made it out okay.

And these aren’t just one-off incidents—since late January, 38 people have needed rescuing in Hokkaido’s mountains, double the number from last year.

Not Everyone Made It

This winter has already seen one fatality, one person still missing, and 15 others injured because of the brutal conditions.

Out of 38 stranded skiers, 90% were outside the marked ski areas—way more than last season. The off-piste trend is growing, but so are the risks.

Authorities also reported that a 70-year-old man from Niigata died due to the heavy snow, while 26 others across different regions suffered snow-related injuries.