797 m away
Strawberry Fields

A popular and playful Hanazono tree line for Intermediate to advanced skiers.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1 km
- Ascent
- 1 m
- Descent
- 278 m
Wide open powder skiing boasting playful tree lines and pillows for skiers looking for steeper gradients.
Freeride Skiing Severe
Access to the Waterfall line is found through Gate 9, a short walk to the left out of the Hanazono Quad Lift #2 top station. The No. 9 back-country gate locally called 'Waterfall' can also be reached from the Renraku piste. Renraku can be accessed from The Swinging monkey chair and also the Hanazono Hooded Quad Lift #3.
After exiting Gate 9 follow the ridge line, ignoring tracks leading to the skiers right immediately out of the gate and continue along the ridge line for 50 metres. At this point turn to the skiers right perpendicular to ridge line, seeking the least dense tree line to travel over the convexity onto the line. The gradient of the line will increase, opening to a wide powder field with many line options filled with playful pillows, tree lines and powder meadows. To the skiers left tight trees will often yield fresh tracks late into the afternoon, and to the skiers right you will find large open spaces and well spaced trees. Due to the prevailing wind in Niseko and the gradient of the line this route can often be a place to find the deepest of the day after mid-season snow falls.
After 200 metres of descent the line will lead to a narrow bottomed valley which should be approached care. To the skiers left a steep increase in gradient will be clear and this is the location of a small waterfall, hence the name of the line. During early winter this will be more visible and a steam will be present, however snow bridges will quickly form after the season's first few snowfalls. The stream can be crossed uphill or downhill of the waterfall using snow bridges that are clearly tracked. It is advisable to carry a small length of climbing rope (15 metres) in addition to the recommended avalanche safety gear, as due to the abundance of volcanic hot springs it is common for sink holes to be present in the snow pack.
After using snow bridges to cross the valley bottom continue down hill, staying as high as possible to the skiers right. Continuing to follow this shoulder around using commonly found tracks will return you back to the green piste 'Holiday'. From here you can simply return to the Hirafu Gondola base area.
Severe
Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.
797 m away
A popular and playful Hanazono tree line for Intermediate to advanced skiers.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
979 m away
Great powder gully skiing popular with intermediate off piste skiers.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
980 m away
Upper mountain gate access skiing with steeper gradients and a variety of tree densities with minimal hiking.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
1.2 km away
Upper mountain gate access (Gate 5) skiing with steeper gradients and a variety of tree densities with minimal hiking.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
1.3 km away
Tight and steep tree line that holds fresh tracks late into the day.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
1.4 km away
G3 is one of two of the essential hikes leading to the legendary Niseko Back Bowls
Difficult Freeride Skiing
1.6 km away
A 20 minute hike above the resort out of Gate 3, this line is in the back bowls of Niseko and requires a short hike out.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
1.6 km away
A 20 minute hike above the resort out of Gate 3, this line is in the back bowls of Niseko and requires a hike out.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
1.6 km away
A 20 minute hike above the resort out of Gate 3, this line is a classic Niseko back bowl run.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
1.6 km away
A 20 minute hike above the resort out of Gate 3, this line is in the back bowls of Niseko and requires you to hike out.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
12 routes · Freeride Skiing