Seki Onsen

Seki Onsen

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Seki Onsen is a small area which packs a lot of punch. There are only two lifts servicing 310 meters of vertical drop, but this is made up for by extremely high snowfall and backcountry possibilities just not on offer at other resorts in Japan. The average maximum base at Seki is between 4 and 5 meters, and it is said to be the snowiest resort in Japan. Last season the base topped 6 meters, a couple more than anywhere else. They do not do much grooming here, and as such it is more suited to powder junkies – beginners are probably better off at one of Myoko’s other nearby resorts.

The resort recommends hiring a guide to make the most of your time if you are intending on making the most of the off piste. An area twice as large as the actual resort makes up the “back-country zone”. The back country zone is accessible from the top lift (snowboarders should take snow-shoes) and it all funnels back to the bottom of the resort. Looming above the resort is an amazing area of terrain called the “dead zone”. Access to the dead zone is limited to very advanced skiers and boarders carrying avalanche equipment and can only be accessed with a guide.