Snow Crew

From your host

Exciting days on the snow, calm time at the house. This is the one tour where you get both.

I built Snow Crew so you can feel Japan's nature and everyday life as if it were your own home.

Ayaka Ono — Founder, MOTO Coliving

Helped launch startups and new ventures in 6 countries, from Africa to Japan. Now pioneering a new way to live in rural Hokkaido.

Our Two Home Mountains

Both are about 30 minutes from MOTO by car, and every Snow Crew week visits each of them at least once. We choose the day for each based on the snow and on your level.

Wild Daisetsuzan powder

Kurodake

Sounkyo, Kamikawa

Kurodake rises right above Sounkyo Onsen, here in Kamikawa town. With just a ropeway and a single lift, it never gets crowded, so fresh snow stays untouched long after the first run of the day. There are groomed runs too, so even beginners can taste real powder, while confident riders head into the trees. Ride the ropeway down and the onsen town is right there. Skiable into early May.

• Groomed + powder
• Tree runs
• Onsen at the base

A very Japanese local ski hill

Pippu Ski Area

Pippu town

Pippu is where the locals ski. J-pop and well-known Western hits play over the slopes. Its nine runs include groomed and ungroomed snow and tree runs, plus a snow park with kickers and rails. Lunch is at a classic Japanese-style lodge cafeteria: try the venison curry, or udon and ramen. Then walk three minutes to Yuyu Pippu, the hot spring next door, and stretch out on the tatami after your soak. In the 2025–26 season, an adult one-day pass was ¥3,800 with an onsen ticket included.

• Music on the slopes
• Snow park
• Onsen 3 min on foot

Several other local ski hills are within reach too.