The Overview
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
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Mount Racey, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
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31 Aug 2026
Mount Racey Snow Report
Snow Report
Updated 24 Sept 2026
702m
summit
+0cm
new snow · last 24 hours
Mainly Clear5°C / 14°C · N 13km/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 44 hours· Updated Sep 25, 2026 at 5:02 AM
Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
7-Day Outlook
702 mUpdated Sep 25, 2026 at 5:02 AMOpen-Meteo
Days 1–7
0.0cm
Days 8–14
0.0cm
Fri, Sept 25
Overcast
Temp14° / 5°°C
Snow0.0cm
Wind13 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.