Aomori Spring Resort – Overview

Aomori Sprin Resort, also formerly known as Naqua Shirakami Ski Resort, is quite possibly a hidden gem. Basically, they have absolutely everything here – cold weather, dry deep snow, pistes for beginner to experts (more of beginner and intermediate though), side country and off piste backcountry, an extensive snowboard park and much more. Great for all ages, all abilities but maybe not enough challenging terrain for upper intermediate or experts. The only downside aside from lackluster expert terrain is that there is no village. Riding up the Gondola to the peak at just under 1000m, you’ll have great view of the Tsugaru Plain and the Sea of Japan. You won’t encounter crowds either, as it’s quite secluded. It is no surprise that Team USA chose this mountain to practice before the 2018 winter Olympics in Korea. They maintain their website very well and offer it in English.

According to Wikipedia, ‘Sakayu Onsen (酸ヶ湯) receives about 17.6 meters of snow per annum, making it the snowiest inhabited place on earth with a total of about 17.6m of snow per annum. That’s an average! Imagine hitting a good year. Sakayu Onsen is just 60km away from Aomori Spring Resort. The mountain is north facing. While you will get a great view of the Sea of Japan, you will also greet incoming weather head-on. This is also another reason why the resort gets so much snow. When winter winds are northerly or north westerly (this is where the wind is coming from), it picks up moisture over the sea of Japan and then as the air mass gains altitude over Mt Iwaki (Aomori Spring Resort is located on Mt Iwaki), temperatures cool and finally create snow.

The resort has changed owners many times since its opening in 1989. Formerly known as Ajigasawa Ski Resort, the Seibu Group operated it. In 2006, Citigroup purchased the resort and renamed it Naqua Shirakami Ski Resort for the 2008/2009 seasons, operating as Naqua Shirakami Hotel & Resort. In June 2010, KICC Group, a Korean investment company, acquired the resort. Aomori Resort Co., Ltd. became the new operating company. In October 2014, Parallax Capital, a Singaporean resort developer, bought Aomori Resort and finally renamed it Aomori Spring Resort.

Additionally, there is another resort on the south side of Mt Iwaki but I would guess they do not get as much snow as Aomori Spring Resort but certainly still a lot.

Ski Resorts Near Aomori Spring Resort

There are a total of 3 resorts within 70 km from this resort.

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Owani Onsen Ski Resort International Area is 31.8km away!

• Beginner: 9 runs over 7.1 km


• Intermediate: 0 runs over 0 km


• Expert: 3 runs over 1.1 km


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Moya Hills is 43.5km away!

• Beginner: 3 runs over 1.4 km


• Intermediate: 4 runs over 3 km


• Expert: 2 runs over 1.4 km


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Yakushiyama Ski Area is 52.7km away!

• Beginner: 0 runs over 0 km


• Intermediate: 0 runs over 0 km


• Expert: 0 runs over 0 km


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Learn about how freshsnow.jp calculates the distance between ski resorts here.

Is Night Skiing Available?

Yes, night skiing is available over several pistes. Comparatively, many resorts only have a single run but not here! Night skiing runs from 1630hrs to 2100hrs.

Ski Season Length & Hours of Operation

The mountain is usually open from mid or latter Dec to latter March or the beginning of Apr. For the 23/24 ski season, they were open from Dec 20 to Mar 31.

Planned dates for 24/25 are Dec 14 to Mar 31.

Learn how to obtain a good snow report for Aomori Spring Resort here.

Park, Off Piste and Other Attractions

Snowboard Park

The snowboard park is one of the best we have seen in Japan (Goryu in Hakuba is another good one). Here are some of the features:

• small to medium jump line
• boxes and rails
• hips
• 22ft (6.7m) half pipe – this requires a separate pass costing Yen 1,000. You must also sign a liability waiver. Normally open from 1000hrs to 1400hrs.
• if you join one of their camps, you also have access to bagjump

Half pipes of course take time to construct and therefore, just like any hill, it will take a couple of weeks of good snow and sweat to build it up.

Backcountry Tours

Backcountry tours are offered here in English and Japanese. They are only available to experienced and the physically fit. There is a lot of hiking in backcountry. Tours are available for a minimum group of 2 people. The guide is JMGA-qualified. Tours are of course weather dependent. Avalanche gear is included in the base rates. 2 people with cost Yen 42,000 (23/24 ski season). 6 people is Yen 120,000. You will meet up at 0815hrs, ride the gondola to the top of the mountain and hike 3 to 4 hours to the highest peak. You’ll be back at the base by 1500hrs.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoes are available for rent. 2 hour guided hikes are available for a minimum party of 2 and up to 10 people. Reservations should be made in advance.

Onsen

There is an onsen located in the Rockwood hotel. They have both inside and outside baths. The onsen is free to customers of the Rockwood hotel. It is open from 1200hrs to the next day at 0900hrs.

Dake Onsen (青森県弘前市常盤野字湯の沢) is located about 30 to 45 mins away on the opposite side of Mount Iwaki. This onsen goes back to the Edo period (1603 and 1868). You can check out Dake Onsen here.

Although more than an hour away, you will not be disappointed with Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen Seaside Outdoor Bath. The onsen is located right on the shore with spectacular views overlooking the Sea of Japan. At the time of this writing, there is only a Japanese website but their is an English website in the works.

Kids Slope

There is a kids slope near the base of the mountain.

Rentals

Yes, lots of rentals here. They offer entire sets from snowbaords and skis to boots, poles, ski and snowboard wear, etc. You can rent high-end performance models, too.

Ski & Snowboard Schools

Yes, a ski and snowboard school is available and in English, too, but best to make reservation ahead of time due to limited number of instructors. Lessons are available from 1000-1200hrs in the morning and from 1330-1530hrs in the afternoon.

Lift Tickets

The prices for the 2024/25 season are out and here they are:

Kids under 6 ski for free. Senior rates are for 60 years old and older. Child rates are from 6 to 11 years old.

On Mountain Accommodation

There is only one hotel at Aomori Spring Resort, namely, The Rockwood Hotel & Spa. The hotel is large with 188 rooms along with a great onsen. Great views of the Sea of Japan or Mt Iwaki are offered. It is a ski-in and ski-out hotel. This hotel was formerly known as Naqua Shirakami Hotel and Resort. Unfortunately, there is no shuttle service between the hotel and Ajigasawa, the nearest train station. All rooms are non-smoking. There is wifi throughout the hotel.

As an alternative to staying on the mountain, there are small hotels located in the cities of Ajigasawa (鯵ヶ沢) or Hirosaki (弘前). Ajigasaw is smaller than Hirosaki but it is closer. The distance from Aomori Spring Resort to Ajigasawa is only 15km (abt a 20 minute drive and Yen 4,000 by taxi) while Hirosaki is 27km (about a 40 min drive). There is more accommodation in Hirosaki.

Getting to Aomori Spring Resort

It takes about 80 mins by taxi or car from Shin-Aomori JR Station to Aomori Spring Resort. Alternatively, if you make you way to Ajigasawa Station, the closest station to the resort, it will only take about 20 mins or about Yen 4,000. There are taxis available at Ajigasawa Station.

The closet airport is Aomori Airport. Although there are few international flights directly into Aomori, there are strong domestic connections. From most large airports like Tokyo or Osaka, there are about 5 to 6 flights per day.

Once at Aomori Airport, take the bus to and from the resort 2023–24 Shuttle_bus (d3tm25asqtyj7x.cloudfront.net).

Aomori Spring Ski Resort Map – English!

You can download the PDF here and it is in English, too!

Videos from Aomori Spring Resort