Hokkaido has become one of the top ski video filming spots, attracting professional film makers and pro skiers who travel the world to shoot ski videos. They come for the beautiful nature of Hokkaido, and for its unmatched Japow snow—Hokkaido has everything they want to film, including the elegance of Japanese culture.

From freeskiing legend Mike Douglas’ filming trip to Hokkaido

Mike Douglas was involved in the creation with Salomon of the first twin-tip skim the Salomon 1080. From his early days as a rider on the New Canadian Air Force team, he has grown over the last 30 years as a filmmaker as well, launching Switchback Entertainment in 2007, which, as a producer of the Salomon TV series, has further made him a legend of the freeskiing scene.

Mike has traveled all over the world to make videos, from snowy mountains to hidden regions of the rainforest.

“For me, skiing is an adventure that opens up new worlds and exposes me to cultures and nature”, Mike says. “When I couldn’t travel because of the pandemic, there were three places in particular that I was sad that I couldn’t visit. One was Chile, in South America. The wonders of nature in the unexplored regions there is indescribable. The second was Europe, because I like the mountain-based lifestyle there. And, especially it was Japan of Japow! I really like skiing in Japan. There are many wonderful mountains in Japan, but the Niseko area really stands at the top. The snow is very good, with tons of fresh powder falling every night.

And the variety of Japanese food! Japanese cuisine is my worldwide favorite. Skiing the great powder, saying ‘Itadakimasu!’ for delicious Japanese food, soaking in a hot spring—it’s simply the best. Hokkaido has it all.”

-Mike Douglas-

Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of videos Mike has recently shot.

From the photo trips he’s made to Hokkaido thus far, this video clip depicts Hokkaido’s snowy mountains in a dynamic, beautiful way.

These are some of the highlights of this shoot.

Sapporo Teine

Sliding down the slope from a summit over 1,000 meters down toward Ishikari Bay is a great feeling. This is a situation that’s not that common, even overseas, so many international guests are very moved by the experience—many say it’s a picture-perfect, unforgettable time.

Niseko United

Niseko is a coveted destination for freeskiing and snowboard video makers from around the world, and ranks high among them as a destination they want to visit. The top reason, of course, is the world-leading powder snow—so much snow that the slope is reset after every run.

There’s also the spectacular view of Mt. Yotei, looking very much like that symbol of Japan, Mt. Fuji, as well as night skiing that is unique in Japan. Mike was very excited about the night skiing at Niseko Grand Hirafu, the falling snow and the rolling spray illuminated by the lights.

Rusutsu Resort

Travel by car from Niseko to Rusutsu takes about 45 minutes. If you’ve come all the way to Niseko, be sure to take in Rusutsu, too! Rusutsu is a big area, with 37 courses on three mountains: West and East mountains and Mt. Isola. Mt. Yotei blocks the air flowing in from the Sea of Japan, resulting in drier powder than that in Niseko. An additional charm at Rusutsu is a deep forest setting, with an undulating, varied terrain. Steep slopes filled with deep powder, logs, gaps, pillows and countless other points for jumping and sliding makes for a forest that’s more like an amusement park.

Shinrin yoku (forest bathing) in Rusutsu

International guests are always amazed by Rusutsu’s beautiful forest. When the Head Freeskiing team came for a photo shoot, the tree run became more like shinrin yoku, the Japanese concept of forest bathing. Take a look at their forest bathing video, Japow Tree Run.

Team riders Sam Kuch and baker Boyd had this to say about the experience:

“There’s nothing more valuable to our souls than spending time in a living forest. There are more ways to play than there are trees in the forest.”

-Sam Kuch & Baker Boyd-

The tree runs are Japan’s killer content

One of the biggest differences between resorts in Europe or North America and Japan is tree skiing. Japan has many forests where you can enjoy sliding through the trees. Many resorts in Japan make the most of these natural forests by providing tree runs.

Japan is blessed with a geography that provides excellent conditions for the growth of the forests. In the mountainous areas of Hokkaido, at altitudes above 1,500 meters, there are forest full of pines and other coniferous trees that can withstand the harsh environment. Going down the mountain, the lower areas are covered with deciduous trees such as beeches and birches.

In places such as Europe and North America, there are many resorts which have huge, open but tree-less runs above the tree line, at approximately 1,000 meters. In places like Utah and Whistler/Blackcomb in Canada, there are many coniferous trees—but so many that it can make tree skiing very difficult.

Deciduous trees, however, have branches that extend out widely. With their broad leaves, light doesn’t reach the ground, limiting the number of trees that can grow in the forest. The result is excellent spacing between the trees, creating a perfect place for skiing. That’s why the Rusutsu forest is a tree-skiing paradise.

We breathe in the fresh oxygen produced by the trees, while the scent of the forest and the silence calms your mind. Be sure to enjoy the luxury of a healing forest bath as you dip deep into the trees.

Eric Pollard, the best artist in the freeskiing word, talks about his Niseko trip

Like Mike Douglas, Eric Pollard of the US has made a huge impact on the freeskiing world with the ski movies he has produced. Since the Line ski brand was founded some 17 years ago, he has not only ridden Line skis but also produced signature skis featuring his graphic design. In 2007 he founded nimbus Independent and expanded his artistic skills into video.

Eric has been coming to Japan since his debut as a rider at the age of 14, and he remains a big fan of the country. He has visited Japan many times to create his work, but Niseko, Hokkaido, has a special place for him.

“I’m attracted to free-standing peaks like Mt. Hood in my home state, Oregon,” he says. “That’s why I like Mt. Yotei in Niseko, which is very similar to it, as well as Mt. Shiribetsu. Mt. Shiribetsu’s altitude is what makes it great. It’s in a low-lying area, so there’s not much wind. You can also ski from the top all the way around the mountain, so you can enjoy many different faces.”

-Eric Pollard-

Mt. Shiribetsu is a backcountry ski area, with the only helicopter skiing in Japan. The average vertical in one run is 650 meters, starting from an altitude of 1,107 meters, so you can easily ski over 3,000 meters in one day. Mt. Shiribetsu provides a dynamic riding experience, one surrounded by pristine nature.

▼A video featuring Eric’s video crew skiing at Mt. Shiribetsu:

◆Hokkaido Backcountry Club website: https://www.hokkaidobackcountryclub.com/jp/heli-skiing-2/

Eric says that it goes without saying that Niseko is attractive.

“There’s top-quality powder, delicious local food and warm, friendly people,” he says. “No matter how many times I visit, I never get tired of it. There’s something new to discover every time. What’s amazing about Japan for me is that there are things that are very old juxtaposed against the very new. There’s a combination of tradition and cutting-edge technology that at first you would think would be compatible. Everywhere you look, there’s very well-thought-out design. There’s a respect for technology, and you can feel the care that goes into everything that is produced. I think this is really great.”

-Eric Pollard-

Eric says that he has designed skis that are inspired by the nature of Niseko.

He says that he missed coming to Japan for three years because of the pandemic, but last year was able to return to his beloved Niseko. He carves turns in the Niseko powder while taking in the beauty of Mt. Yotei.

Hokkaido awaits this winter, with the best powder in the world and the unique hospitality of Japan. Be sure to experience this unforgettable ski world!