Appi Kogen

Appi Kogen spans 282 hectares across Mount Maemori and Mount Nishimori in northern Iwate Prefecture, with 21 runs and 43 kilometres of terrain between 620 and 1,328 metres elevation. The resort delivers 708 metres of vertical drop and averages 8 metres of annual snowfall, with a longest run of 5.5 kilometres. Winner of Japan's Best Ski Resort at the World Ski Awards in 2022 and 2023, Appi joined the Ikon Pass for the 2025-26 season with seven days access on the full pass.

Terrain divides 30 per cent beginner, 40 per cent intermediate and 30 per cent advanced, with more than half the runs exceeding 2 kilometres in length. Five tree run zones covering 60 hectares stretch across the Nishimori and Sailer sectors, including the 1,000-metre Dragon Tail run. Six designated ungroomed routes provide powder access, whilst wide groomed corridors suit progression on the long Central area runs. The steepest pitch hits 34 degrees on Second Sailer A.

The resort sits at 40 degrees north latitude, the same as Aspen, creating low-humidity conditions that produce dry powder snow locals call aspirin snow. North-facing slopes preserve snow quality through a December-to-May season that typically runs 160 days. Ski-in ski-out access connects the ANA InterContinental, ANA Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn properties directly to the lift network, with Tohoku's largest outdoor onsen on-site.

Appi operates as Tohoku's largest single-operator resort, built during Japan's 1980s economic boom with infrastructure that remains well-maintained. The purpose-built base village concentrates services around Appi Plaza and three hotels, with minimal day-tripper traffic keeping weekday crowds light. Night skiing runs until 8pm December through March, and the resort suits families and intermediates seeking long cruisers alongside advanced skiers chasing tree runs and ungroomed zones.