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    Hokkaido, Japan · Indy Pass

    Mount Racey

    404m vertical, 22 runs, 8m annual snow. Central Hokkaido's most accessible resort, 55km from airport. Indy Pass.

    Season 2025-2026
    Opens
    6 Dec 2025
    Closes
    30 Mar 2026
    Days open
    114
    Annual snow
    8m
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Mount Racey operates 22 runs across 185 acres with 404 metres of vertical drop, rising from a 298-metre base to a 702-metre summit. The ski area receives 8 metres of annual snowfall and divides terrain 20 percent beginner, 40 percent intermediate, and 40 percent advanced. The longest run stretches 3,500 metres from summit to base, whilst tree skiing opportunities exist throughout the mountain's northwest-facing slopes. Indy Pass holders receive two days of access each season.

    Terrain spreads across primarily northwest-facing slopes below the treeline, with Beginners A and B courses occupying wide groomed zones near the base. Intermediate trails wind down the mountain's midsection, whilst advanced runs include a 43-degree pitch on the Raccoon Line. The resort features a freestyle park and dedicated kids park, with tree skiing drawing those seeking ungroomed powder between marked trails. Lower elevation compared to neighbouring resorts means sheltered conditions during stormy weather.

    The mountain base sits in Yubari, a former coal mining town in the Sorachi region with a population around 6,000. Hotel Mount Racey connects directly to the gondola station via an enclosed bridge and offers onsen facilities. School groups frequent weekdays during winter months, but the mountain rarely sees significant crowds. Tanpopo restaurant operates at mid-mountain, serving ramen and Japanese ski lodge staples.

    Indy Pass inclusion makes Mount Racey accessible to international visitors touring central Hokkaido alongside larger resorts like Furano (94 kilometres northeast) and Tomamu (85 kilometres east). The 2025-2026 season runs 6 December through 30 March. Lower elevation and sheltered positioning suit skiers seeking reliable operations when wind shuts higher-altitude lifts. The resort serves beginners well whilst offering sufficient challenge for competent intermediates and off-piste exploration.

    404m
    Vertical
    22
    Runs
    185 acres
    Skiable
    8m
    Annual snow
    Indy Pass
    Pass
    The Terrain

    22 runs across 185 acres skiable

    Mount Racey spreads 22 runs across 185 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 40%, with 4 beginner runs to find your feet and 9 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    22
    runs
    22 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner4 runs · 20%
    Intermediate9 runs · 40%
    Advanced9 runs · 40%
    Expert0 runs · 0%
    Time it right

    When to visit Mount Racey

    The 2025-2026 season operates 6 December 2025 through 30 March 2026, spanning roughly 16 weeks. Mount Racey typically opens earlier than high-altitude Hokkaido resorts due to accessible terrain and reliable snowmaking. Operations run daily throughout the season, weather permitting. The mountain closed its season programme in recent years as budget constraints affected ancillary services.

    Annual snowfall averages 8 metres, typical for central Hokkaido but below the 10-15 metre totals at higher-elevation resorts. Northwest-facing slopes hold snow quality through midwinter, whilst western exposure limits afternoon sun damage. The 298-metre base elevation means occasional rain events during warm spells, though temperatures generally remain subfreezing December through February. Powder conditions peak January through mid-February when Siberian systems deliver consistent dry snow.

    December through January offers quieter slopes and reliable snow coverage, with peak crowds arriving during Japanese New Year holidays. February delivers the deepest snowpack and coldest temperatures. March sees spring conditions develop, with firmer morning snow softening by afternoon. Weekdays remain quiet except during school holidays, whilst weekends attract day visitors from Sapporo.

    The resort previously hosted night skiing sessions but discontinued the service. No major events currently appear on the calendar. The mountain's proximity to New Chitose Airport makes it suitable for arrival or departure day skiing when time is limited. Kids lessons run throughout the season for ages 3 to 9.

    Season 2025-2026
    6 Dec 2025
    Opens
    30 Mar 2026
    Closes
    114
    Days open
    8 m
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Mount Racey, and where to stay

    Mount Racey sits in Yubari city within the Sorachi subprefecture of central Hokkaido, 702 metres above sea level at the summit. Yubari occupies a mountain valley in the Yubari Range, stretching 25 kilometres through coal mining territory that once supported 120,000 residents. The city now holds roughly 6,000 people following mine closures through the 1960s energy transition. Mountains surround the resort, creating a sheltered basin below the main Hokkaido ski belt.

    Yubari lies 66 kilometres east of Sapporo and 55 kilometres northeast of New Chitose Airport, making Mount Racey the closest ski resort to Hokkaido's primary international gateway. The city sits in a valley accessed via Route 274, avoiding steep mountain passes that affect higher resorts. Yubari gained recognition for melon cultivation and the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival before declaring bankruptcy in 2007.

    Route 274 provides direct access from New Chitose Airport in approximately 1 hour, whilst Sapporo lies 1 hour 30 minutes west. The drive from Furano takes 1 hour 30 minutes covering 94 kilometres. No major mountain passes obstruct winter access, keeping roads passable during storms that close routes to other resorts. Yubari IC on the Doto Expressway sits 20 minutes from the mountain base.

    New Chitose Airport serves as the primary gateway, located 53 kilometres southwest with international connections throughout Asia and domestic links across Japan. Yutetsu Bus operates between Shin-Sapporo Station bus terminal and the resort. Hotel Mount Racey previously offered free shuttle service from the airport for guests. The Yubari Line train service closed in 2019, leaving road transport as the sole public access option.

    Where to stay

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    Hotels and lodges near Mount Racey, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

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    2 Sept 2026
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    26 Aug 2026

    Mount Racey Snow Report

    Snow Report
    Updated 4 Sept 2026
    702m
    summit
    +0cm
    new snow · last 24 hours
    Clear10°C / 16°C · N 17km/h
    Snowfall
    24 hours
    0cm
    48 hours
    0cm
    7 days
    0cm
    Base depth
    0cm
    Season total
    0cm
    Total lifts5

    Live open status isn’t available right now.

    6 Dec 2025 - 30 Mar 2026

    Hour by Hour

    Next 43 hours· Updated Sep 4, 2026 at 5:02 PM
    Fri10pNowSat12a1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a10a11a12p1p2p3p4p5p6p7p8p9p10p11pSun12a1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a10a11a12p1p2p3p4p
    Conditions
    Temp°C · feels
    109
    109
    109
    109
    109
    109
    98
    98
    1110
    1313
    1413
    1513
    1615
    1716
    1717
    1816
    1816
    1715
    1715
    1514
    1312
    1111
    1110
    109
    99
    98
    98
    98
    98
    98
    97
    87
    109
    1413
    1616
    1717
    1920
    2021
    2020
    2019
    1918
    1816
    1716
    Snowfallcm
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Precip chance%
    0%
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    Precipmm0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
    Wind / gustkm/h
    3G13
    2G6
    1G3
    1G3
    2G4
    2G4
    3G5
    2G6
    2G6
    1G7
    4G14
    6G19
    8G23
    10G26
    10G27
    12G30
    13G32
    12G31
    11G28
    11G25
    8G23
    6G17
    3G13
    2G8
    1G6
    1G4
    1G4
    2G4
    2G5
    2G6
    3G8
    4G10
    6G12
    6G14
    5G15
    5G17
    2G17
    5G17
    11G27
    14G33
    12G34
    11G30
    11G27

    Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo

    7-Day Outlook

    702 mUpdated Sep 4, 2026 at 5:02 PMOpen-Meteo

    Days 1–7

    0.0cm

    Days 8–14

    0.0cm

    Unlock days 8–14

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    Fri, Sept 4

    Thunderstorm
    Temp16° / 10°°C
    Snow0.0cm(100%)
    Wind17 km/h N

    Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.

    Understanding the Mount Racey snow report

    Mount Racey snow conditions, updated regularly: current snowfall, snow depth, temperatures, and the outlook for this Hokkaido resort on the Indy Pass.

    Snow measurements

    Our snow reports measure snowfall in centimeters over multiple time windows — last 24 hours, last 7 days, and the season total. Base depth reflects accumulation at the 298m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 404m higher at 702m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.

    Weather conditions

    Current weather conditions affect snow quality. Cold temperatures with low wind typically preserve snow quality, while warm temperatures or rain can impact conditions negatively — something worth watching closely at Mount Racey's 298m base elevation, where temperatures run milder than the summit.

    Data sources

    We pull Mount Racey's conditions from on-the-ground mountain reporting, then layer in forecast data so you get a fuller picture than either source alone. The mountain is served by 5 lifts, including 2 quad chairlifts and a gondola.

    When to check

    The biggest swings usually happen right after a storm. Check Mount Racey's report in the morning for the freshest numbers, and again in the afternoon as conditions evolve.