Nitonupuri · Routes
↘ Nitonupuri — Summit
⚠️ 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 3.6 km →
Per-segment terrain (data table)
| % | m | Steepness | Aspect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 616 | 20° | NW |
| 3% | 618 | 20° | NW |
| 6% | 629 | 29° | SW |
| 9% | 661 | 42° | SW |
| 12% | 731 | 42° | SW |
| 15% | 791 | 36° | SW |
| 18% | 852 | 34° | SW |
| 21% | 873 | 14° | W |
| 24% | 871 | 12° | W |
| 27% | 879 | 30° | S |
| 30% | 908 | 33° | S |
| 33% | 961 | 29° | W |
| 36% | 984 | 29° | W |
| 39% | 1015 | 31° | W |
| 42% | 1042 | 22° | NW |
| 45% | 1040 | 26° | N |
| 48% | 1056 | 28° | SW |
| 52% | 1078 | 28° | SE |
| 55% | 1054 | 26° | SW |
| 58% | 1040 | 23° | NW |
| 61% | 1041 | 31° | NW |
| 64% | 1010 | 27° | W |
| 67% | 972 | 33° | W |
| 70% | 950 | 33° | SW |
| 73% | 901 | 30° | S |
| 76% | 877 | 13° | S |
| 79% | 871 | 17° | W |
| 82% | 872 | 36° | W |
| 85% | 843 | 36° | SW |
| 88% | 781 | 42° | SW |
| 91% | 709 | 41° | SW |
| 94% | 654 | 28° | SW |
| 97% | 629 | 19° | SW |
| 100% | 618 | 20° | W |
📖 Route guide
The Summit route on Nitonupuri (1080 m) is the standard line to the top, up the southwest face. From the Yusato Gate it climbs past the roadside pitch the source flags as the 'steep first slope from the road' and up the southwest aspect (baked mean ~247°). Hokkaido Wilds gives ~3.7 km, ~431 m, ~3.5 hours, grade 5/10. Nitonupuri is one of the lowest peaks in the Niseko Range and one of the most popular. Read this as a description, not a recommendation.
[Terrain] The route crosses an ~874 m plateau to the summit; a false peak just below the top is easily mistaken for it in poor visibility. Baked maximum pitch 43° (median ~25°).
[Avalanche history] The source records a large avalanche below the plateau in 2009. The first slope directly above the road and the ground below the plateau are exactly that avalanche terrain. 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