Nitonupuri · Routes
↘ Nitonupuri — SW Hot Laps
⚠️ Every Yotei route is advanced, Complex avalanche terrain (max slope ~37–47°). Not a first tour; not for unguided AST-1 parties.
Steepness · profile
← Distance 4.6 km →
Per-segment terrain (data table)
| % | m | Steepness | Aspect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 615 | 22° | NW |
| 3% | 618 | 17° | W |
| 6% | 629 | 26° | SW |
| 10% | 637 | 20° | SW |
| 13% | 645 | 11° | SW |
| 16% | 657 | 14° | SE |
| 19% | 677 | 18° | SW |
| 23% | 697 | 28° | SW |
| 26% | 715 | 28° | SW |
| 29% | 755 | 33° | SW |
| 32% | 791 | 36° | W |
| 35% | 846 | 25° | W |
| 39% | 895 | 30° | W |
| 42% | 950 | 29° | W |
| 45% | 943 | 30° | W |
| 48% | 887 | 26° | W |
| 52% | 841 | 31° | W |
| 55% | 780 | 34° | W |
| 58% | 717 | 28° | SW |
| 61% | 757 | 36° | W |
| 65% | 798 | 36° | W |
| 68% | 856 | 23° | W |
| 71% | 882 | 24° | W |
| 74% | 851 | 44° | W |
| 77% | 802 | 44° | W |
| 81% | 716 | 27° | W |
| 84% | 686 | 17° | SW |
| 87% | 665 | 11° | S |
| 90% | 648 | 15° | SE |
| 94% | 644 | 22° | SE |
| 97% | 636 | 26° | SW |
| 100% | 629 | 22° | SW |
📖 Route guide
The 'hot laps' on Nitonupuri's southwest face are the region's busiest touring spot — the source calls it 'probably the busiest ski touring spot in the region, if not the whole of Japan.' It does not summit: the point is short, repeated laps through the SW-face glades. From the Yusato Gate the route climbs and descends the southwest aspect (baked mean ~246°). Hokkaido Wilds gives ~4.7 km, ~446 m, ~2 hours, grade 4/10. It is one of the more approachable lines on this mountain, but there is no patrol and no avalanche control. Read this as a description, not a recommendation.
[Terrain] The high point is about 900 m and laps turn around near an ~850 m false summit. The southwest face carries well-spaced old-growth forest that reads well even in poor visibility. Baked maximum pitch 41° (median ~22°).
[Avalanches and caution] Busy is not the same as safe. The source describes 'steep, avalanche-prone terrain' and advises avoiding the steep south-facing slopes, which sun can destabilise; watch the plateau traverses too. Check the Niseko avalanche bulletin and the JAN SW Hokkaido bulletin before departing, and make your own stability assessment.
🚗 Access & logistics
Start & parking: The Yusato Gate (Route 66 winter closure, ~800 m up from Chisenupuri village). Roadside parking is extremely limited — you may need to clear your own space; take care not to block the road.
Getting there: Car only; no public transport. ~24 km from Hirafu, a taxi is ~¥7,500–8,000 one-way. Carpooling recommended.
Onsen: Goshiki Onsen is close by. Confirm hours locally.
Info: Check the Niseko avalanche bulletin and the JAN SW Hokkaido bulletin before departing.
📍 Yotei — local notes
- The summit dome is featureless — in a whiteout, navigate by compass bearing.
- The crater rim can be corniced — keep well back from the edge.
- Above ~1300 m the snow is often wind-hammered or icy — crampons or ski-crampons are commonly needed, and many parties descend from here.
- Near the summit the slope faces every aspect — wind-loading and sun change fast; read the bulletin’s full rose.
- On a symmetric cone with a featureless summit it’s easy to drop the wrong aspect in flat light and descend into a different valley than you climbed — confirm your descent bearing before dropping in.
📋 Trip plan
🏔 Terrain (auto)
Slope-based estimate — not an official ATES rating.
🌡 Today's conditions
…
All values are estimates. Defer to official avalanche + weather bulletins.
⚠️ Avalanche bulletin (read first)
Today's danger rating + avalanche rose (aspect/elevation) come from the official bulletin — check it before you go.
📝 Pre-trip checklist
🗺 Hokkaido Wilds · Rob Thomson — HokkaidoWilds.org · CC BY-SA 4.0
🎥 山のまこちゃん · Video report
山のまこちゃん (Yama no Makochan) covers Yotei routes on video — embedding pending his permission.
Route data source: Rob Thomson — HokkaidoWilds.org · CC BY-SA 4.0 · ↓ Download GPX