History of Skiing in Japan

On January 12th 1911, in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, an Austrian, Major Theodore von Lerch gave the order ‘Mettez les skis!’ (Put on your skis!) and led the Japanese soldiers from the Japanese Army through the first skiing lesson in Japan. The next year in February 1912, Major Lerch took up a new post in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. He formed a ski association in Asahikawa and instructed young officers how to ski. In April that year they climbed and skied Mt. Yotei. Lerch and his party stopped on a hill close to present day Asahigaoka Park for lessons which they presented to the public. This marked the beginning of skiing in the Niseko area. Later, Lerch held ski lessons for students at Hokkaido University and the students formed a ski club.

Skiing in Niseko Area

From the Taisho era (1912 – 1926) onwards, ski clubs from Hokkaido University and Otaru University of Commerce often made hiking trips to Niseko Annupuri and Iwaonupuri and frequently lodged at the onsen around Niseko. With the exception of wartime, the area was hailed as the ‘St. Moritz of the Orient’. Although a great deal of attention was given to Niseko as a hallowed ground for skiers, there were no lifts and skiing could only be enjoyed after a long hike. Ski lifts first appeared in 1957 and were first introduced to Niseko Grand Hirafu in 1961. The following years saw the opening of other ski areas such as Niseko Moiwa (1966), Niseko Annupuri (1972) and Niseko Higashiyama (1982).

Niseko Rules

In the early ’90s, snowboarding quickly gained popularity and people started to find enjoyment of the powder snow in the backcountry off the regular courses. With its quality and quantity of the snow, backcountry skiing/snowboarding in Niseko attracted all thrill seekers’ attention. Backcountry riding, however, was always fraught with avalanche hazards and the number of casualities who were stranded or/and lost their lives on the mountain rapidly increased. The Niseko Rules were then created as official regulations for the safety and freedom of every skier and snowboarder riding inside and outside the ski resort boundaries.

Niseko Rules (Niseko United website)
Niseko Avalanche Information (Niseko Avalanche Institute website)

The Niseko Rules include limited accesses to the out-of-bound areas, prohibit ducking the boundary ropes, and the entry restriction during hazardous conditions were a great success in diminishing backcountry accidents. Nowadays experienced backcountry guides are more commonly available and those who are new to backcountry skiing/snowboarding are recommended to have a guided tour.

Niseko Ski Area Chronicle