
Mount Racey
404m vertical, 22 runs, 8m annual snow. Central Hokkaido's most accessible resort, 55km from airport. Indy Pass.
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.
Mount Racey, in the former coal town of Yubari, is steeper than most of Hokkaido's smaller hills. Its 22 runs across about 75 hectares fall 404 vertical metres from 702 metres to a 298-metre base, graded 20% beginner, 40% intermediate and 40% advanced, with no expert-rated terrain. That leans well toward confident skiers, and a gondola, two quads and two double chairs move people efficiently. The slopes face mainly northwest and sit below the treeline, which gives some shelter when storms hit the neighbouring resorts. Indy Pass holders will find it a quiet addition to a Hokkaido itinerary.
Beginners have wide, groomed ground near the base, and intermediate runs weave down the middle of the mountain. The Raccoon Line is the steep one, a pitch of around 43 degrees that will humble tired legs. The longest run covers roughly 3.5 kilometres from top to bottom, and trees between the marked trails hold ungroomed powder for those happy to hunt it. A freestyle park and a kids park add variety. Because the crowds stay light and school groups are mostly midweek, lines are short. Advanced skiers wanting uncrowded fall-line skiing will find the most value here.
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.
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.
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Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
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Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.
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.
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.
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.
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.