The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Hoshino Tomamu operates 29 runs across 306 acres spanning two peaks in central Hokkaido, with a vertical drop of 585 metres between its 586-metre base and 1,171-metre summit. The resort receives an average 14 metres of annual snowfall and sits within the 200-kilometre Hokkaido Powder Belt, where inland conditions and temperatures dropping to minus 30 degrees Celsius produce exceptionally dry powder. The ski area totals 21.5 kilometres of piste, including a 4,200-metre top-to-bottom descent, and participates in the Hokkaido Powder Belt Pass alongside Furano and Kamui Ski Links.
Terrain distribution favours progression, with 38 per cent beginner runs, 48 per cent intermediate and 14 per cent advanced. Tomamu Mountain and Tower Mountain form two distinct sectors connected by the Romance chairlift, with the former housing the gondola-accessed summit terrain and Powder Express quad, whilst Tower Mountain concentrates gentler slopes near the hotel towers. Registered experts access designated sidecountry zones including Powder Heaven at Tower Mountain's summit, plus snowcat operations on Mount Karifuri.
The resort anchors a 1,000-hectare development dominated by twin 40-storey hotel towers housing Tomamu the Tower and Risonare Tomamu properties, alongside Club Med Hokkaido Tomamu at mountain base. Hotaru Street provides ski-in dining and retail, whilst the Mina-Mina Beach indoor wave pool, Ice Village winter attraction and Terrace of Frost Tree at 1,088 metres elevation expand the non-skiing programme. Night skiing operates 16:00 to 18:00 on Tower Mountain from late December through March.
The 38,000-yen Hokkaido Powder Belt Pass grants five days' skiing within ten days at Tomamu, Furano and Kamui, valid throughout the December-to-March season. Adult day passes run 6,800 yen regular rate to 7,500 yen peak, with season passes priced at 85,000 yen. Tomamu suits families seeking resort infrastructure and intermediates chasing groomed cruisers, though limited steep terrain constrains experts compared to Niseko or Rusutsu.
585m
Vertical
29
Runs
306 acres
Skiable
14m
Annual snow
The Terrain
29 runs across 306 acres skiable
Hoshino Tomamu spreads 29 runs across 306 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 48%, with 11 beginner runs to find your feet and 4 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
29
runs
29 runs across 4 grades
Beginner11 runs · 38%
Intermediate14 runs · 48%
Advanced4 runs · 14%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Hoshino Tomamu
The 2025-2026 season spans 5 December 2025 to 29 March 2026, offering 116 days of operations. This four-month window aligns with Hokkaido's prolonged cold inland climate, where March temperatures remain sufficiently low to preserve snow quality into spring. Tomamu's season length exceeds coastal resorts that close earlier as temperatures rise.
Annual snowfall averages 14 metres at mid-mountain elevations, with the 2024-2025 season recording 749 centimetres total accumulation. The resort's inland position within Shimukappu Village shields it from maritime moisture, producing lighter, drier snow than coastal equivalents despite marginally lower precipitation totals. Temperatures between minus 20 and minus 30 degrees Celsius maintain powder structure throughout winter, with snowmaking supplementing natural coverage on key pistes.
January and February deliver peak powder conditions when Siberian cold fronts dominate, though the resort maintains quality snow into late March due to persistent cold. Early December offers quieter slopes as the season builds, whilst mid-season holiday periods around New Year bring maximum crowds. The Ice Village attraction operates January to February when temperatures support ice construction.
Night skiing runs two hours nightly from 26 December through 31 March on lit Tower Mountain terrain. The resort's 40 per cent probability of witnessing the Unkai sea-of-clouds phenomenon attracts summer gondola riders from May to October, extending Tomamu's calendar beyond winter operations. Spring conditions favour long groomed turns on Tomamu Mountain's extended fall-line runs.
Season 2025-2026
5 Dec 2025
Opens
29 Mar 2026
Closes
114
Days open
14 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Hoshino Tomamu, and where to stay
Hoshino Tomamu occupies Shimukappu Village in the Yufutsu District, central Hokkaido, at the southern slopes of Mount Tomamu within the Daisetsuzan mountain range buffer zone. The base village sits at 586 metres elevation in a forested inland valley approximately 200 kilometres north-south within the designated Hokkaido Powder Belt. Shimukappu, population 1,251, gained resort status in the 1980s when Alpha Resort Tomamu opened, later acquired by Hoshino Resorts.
Tomamu Station on the JR Sekisho Line provides direct rail links, with the resort located five minutes' drive north. Sapporo lies 90 minutes north by limited express train, whilst Obihiro sits 60 minutes east on the same line. Furano resort operates 90 minutes northwest via Routes 237, 38, 1117 and 136, making multi-resort tours practical for mobile skiers.
Road access follows the Doto Expressway from New Chitose Airport via Chitose-higashi interchange, reaching Tomamu interchange in 100 minutes covering approximately 110 kilometres. Sapporo drivers take the Douou and Doutou expressways from Sapporo-kita interchange, completing 120 minutes to Tomamu interchange. Route 136 connects the interchange to resort base, with 1,500 parking spaces available.
New Chitose Airport, Hokkaido's primary international gateway, lies 90 minutes south by car or train with one transfer at Minami-Chitose Station. Hokkaido Access Network operates direct resort shuttle buses requiring two hours, departing three times daily at 5,500 yen per person. Limited express services Super Tokachi and Super Ozora stop at Tomamu Station throughout the day, with all trains requiring reserved seating and free resort shuttles meeting arrivals.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Hoshino Tomamu, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
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31 Aug 2026
Hoshino Tomamu Webcams
4 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Hoshino Tomamu's live webcams
Check live conditions across Hoshino Tomamu with 4 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Tomamu Cam250m
- Monitor regional snow conditions through this essential Tomamu webcam positioned in nearby Shintoku town at 250 meters elevation, providing valuable context for current weather patterns affecting central Hokkaido's luxury ski destination. This Tomamu live cam offers insight into local snowfall accumulation and atmospheric conditions that directly impact the resort's famous 14 meters of annual powder. Perfect for assessing broader regional conditions, this Tomamu snow cam helps visitors gauge the overall weather system affecting Japan's premier luxury mountain resort with its iconic Ice Hotel and world-class facilities.
- Shintoku: Karikachi Pass650m
- Assess critical driving conditions to Hoshino Tomamu through this vital Tomamu webcam monitoring Karikachi Pass at 650 meters elevation, one of the main access routes to Japan's most luxurious ski destination. This strategic Tomamu live cam provides essential visibility and road condition updates for visitors traveling to the famous Ice Hotel resort, ensuring safe passage through central Hokkaido's mountain terrain. Essential for trip planning, this Tomamu cam shows current weather conditions along the scenic approach to this all-season mountain paradise renowned for its exceptional powder and premium amenities.
- Shintoku: Shimizu Pass1100m
- Monitor high-altitude access conditions through this crucial Tomamu snow cam positioned at Shimizu Pass at 1100 meters elevation, the highest mountain pass leading to Hoshino Tomamu resort. This elevated Tomamu webcam provides critical visibility information for travelers approaching Japan's most exclusive ski destination, famous for its Ice Village and luxury accommodations. Essential for safe mountain travel planning, this Tomamu live cam captures weather conditions that affect access to the resort's 29 courses and 585 meters of vertical terrain across two pristine mountain peaks.
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Hoshino Tomamu snow cams FAQ
How often do Hoshino Tomamu snow cams update?
All Hoshino Tomamu snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Hoshino Tomamu.
Which Hoshino Tomamu webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Shintoku: Shimizu Pass webcam at 1,100m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Hoshino Tomamu webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Hoshino Tomamu lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Hoshino Tomamu snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Hoshino Tomamu snow cams?
Check Hoshino Tomamu webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Hoshino Tomamu lift tickets?
Use our Hoshino Tomamu webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Hoshino Tomamu webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Hoshino Tomamu snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Hoshino Tomamu intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.