Rishiri-zan’s many volcanic gullies offer over 1500m of sustained descent from either the formidable icy summit or convenient points further down the many summit spurs. In this route overview, we outline the popular northern approach, which connects with the summer trail near the hut at around 1250m. The prevailing winter wind on Rishiri is northwest, so in reality, this route is not actually the best for seeking out the best snow. Southerly and easterly aspects will be better for that. Approaches to the summit from the south or west, however, are much steeper and many require technical climbing skills. That said, even on this northerly approach, there is some good skiing to be had in the gullies on the way down.

Calm days in winter are few and far between on Rishiri. “There are occasional days when there’s less wind,” mused the owner of the Green Inn Backpackers where we stayed during our visit to Rishiri. “Calm days are almost unheard of,” he said. This equates to icy ridgelines and times of extreme gusts. While crampons and ice-axe are not always a must in order to get to the hut on this route, anywhere higher than the hut will most likely require them. Ski crampons will make the approach to the hut much more comfortable in all but the best conditions.