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Hachimantai

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Elevations:

Top:
 1450 meters
 4757 feet
Base:
 950 meters
 3117 feet
Vertical:
 500 meters
 1640 feet

Number of Lifts:

3 lifts:
  3 double chair(s)

Contact details:

Ph: 81 195 78 2212
Website: Click here

 

Resort Rundown

If you're checking out resorts in Iwate you'll notice that there are actually two resorts named Hachimantai. In fact one is called Hachimantai and the other is Hachimantai Title. The resort reviewed here is Hachimantai. Confused? Well, just remember that Hachimantai is the freeriding, undiscovered Title and Hachimantai Title is more of a tourist ski Title with all the standard tourist trappings.

Hachimantai is a very unique Title in Japan as it allows you to go anywhere you like on the mountain including out-of-bounds and hiking. Unlike the majority of other resorts in Japan there are very few roped-off areas. The terrain at Hachimantai lends itself to this policy. As soon as you arrive in the carpark at Hachimantai you can immediately see that this place has awesome freeriding potential. Open alpine bowls surround the carpark, dotted with cornice drops and gullies.

Although the resort is relatively small with only three lifts, the lifts provide access to some very good hiking. Unlike many other resorts in Japan, the hiking gives access to above tree- line alpine bowls. The run from the highest peak provides about 700 metres vertical of some the lightest and driest powder you will ever experience. And as you can only hike to this area it can stay untracked for days.

If you're not into hiking the resort also has some good in-bounds freeriding terrain as well.

There is a small park located at the bottom of the second lift. It has one nice medium sized kicker and an array of rails. It is not exactly and epic park but it's uncrowded and a good way to finish an awesome freeriding day.

Due to its excellent freeriding and very liberal policy towards freeriding out-of-bounds, Hachimantai is definitely worth a visit. It is largely a snowboarder's Title as very few skiers visit.

Terrain

Hachimantai Trail Map

Freeriding

Freeriding is what Hachimantai is all about. Grooming is kept to a minimal, maximising off-piste potential. There are tree runs, cornices, gullies and steep sections. The freeriding terrain here would not be classified as extreme but it certainly is fun.

If you're into hiking you can hike to the peak of Hachimantai at 1578 metres. The hike takes about an hour along a well-marked trail. From here you have a 30-minute powder run all the way to the base of Hachimantai. Given the low numbers of people that visit Hachimantai and the even lower number of people to hike to peak you are almost always guaranteed of deep powder.

Freestyle

Man-made freestyle facilities are not the forte of Hachimantai. However there is a medium-sized kicker provided at the mid-station, just outside the snack bar. The kicker is pretty fun but don't expect to be going 50-foot. It is a good kicker to practice your stock tricks.

Snow and Weather Conditions

Iwate had a reputation for good snowfalls. Hachimantai is no exception. Further, as the resort is frequented by very few people, good snow is guaranteed.

Accommodation

There is one hotel located at Hachimantai. For other accommodation options see Morioka.

Night Life

There is no nightlife in Hachimantai. You are better off heading to Morioka.

Snowboard Shops

There are no snowboard shops in Hachimantai. Check out Morioka.

Getting There

To get to Hachimantai take the Tohoku, Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen from Tokyo all the way to Morioka. This journey takes about 3.5 hours. Just make sure you are on the right part of the train as Shinkansens from Tokyo to Sendai and Morioka often split in half. Once in Morioka you will need to take a bus to Hachimantai. The bus takes about one hour and costs around YEN1100. The bus leaves directly from Morioka Station.

Thanks

Thanks to Kayoko from Pension Mutti (Ph: +81 0195-73-5323) for helping to organise our trip to Hachimantai. Also thanks to Hachimantai Title.

Last updated on 18 January 2038.

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Snow Cams

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Hachimantai

Date	Name	Comments
07 May 2007	rob	has anyone got photos of this place sounds real good, any info on japan boarding would be real good as well! cheers
22 Apr 2007	Shawn	Hachimantai!!! Everything in this review is dead on. One thing that might help is Hachi is very windy. Being right on the windward side right next to Mount Iwate it gets windy about 60-70% of the time. But the prices(misawa ID only 2000Y), killer terrain (a little short) Super cool staff, and awsome curry/rice. I go here when I don't have a buddie for Hakkoda backcountry, and plus APPI is 30 min around the corner so you can get some park sessions after the runs get all tracked out.

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