Tomamu ski resort is located in the eastern reaches of Hokkaido approximately one hour to the south of Furano. The resort offers some excellent powder skiing on steeply pitched slopes. The jewel in the crown for Tomamu is the heliskiing offered to the backcountry areas in and around the resort in the months of February and March. Backcountry cat skiing runs throughout the season providing an affordable way to access some great powder. Although the resort is small and does not offer a huge amount of vertical, pockets of good powder snow can be found especially in the off piste areas and upper slopes. In recent years Tomamu has positioned itself for families and children with the “adventure mountain” area, an expansive winter wonderland of 27 hectares. Further details can be found at the Alpha Tomamu resort website.

Three resort style hotels offer ski in and ski out convenience in Tomamu. The Tomamu Tower, Galleria Tower Suite Hotel and Villa Sport Hotel provide twin and triple share western style hotel accommodation. Of all the hotels the Tower hotel represents the best value for money. If you are after a luxury experience we recommend the Galleria Tower Suite hotel with most rooms featuring their own ensuite spa bath. The hotels are very well appointed with numerous restaurants and shopping options. For those of you seeking nightlife and après ski your probably better off seeking out another resort as eating and drinking options outside the hotels are very limited. The more adventurous travelers may choose to stay a few nights in the ice hotel complete with ice furniture and an ice bed.

Early risers can head to the top of the Tomamu resort for a refreshing breakfast overlooking the low lying valleys encased in a “sea of clouds”. The resort features an enormous indoor pool complete with Jacuzzis and an onsen. Tomamu is also famous for being one of the only locations in Hokkaido that offer Heli-skiing. The helicopters operate from late February to mid march accessing a vast expanse of untracked powder. A slightly cheaper option of accessing back country powder is via a cat skiing tour. These tours tend to be very popular so advanced bookings are recommended. Other activities include night balloon rides, an ice village complete with ice hotel, dog sledding, snow mobile tours, ice skating and much more.

The Alpha Resort Tomamu is located approximately 1 hour’s drive to the south east of Furano. In winter the normal route via the Sekisho Kogen Ikutora Route is closed due to the dangerous driving conditions found at Ikutora Pass so the alternate route via the national round 38 must be taken. If you are arriving by plane the best option is to fly into the domestic airport of Obihiro approximately 1 hour drive from Tomamu. Alternatively Chitose airport is about 2 hours away by road. The limited express train operating on the Sekisho line takes only 58 minutes to get to Tomamu. Passengers from Chitose must change lines at the Minami Chitose Station. For further information on travel options click here.