Photo/Illutration A rescuer saves a person who was lost in the winter mountains of Furano, Hokkaido, in January. (Provided by Hokkaido police)

SAPPORO—This ski season in Hokkaido, a growing number of skiers and snowboarders have gotten lost in the backcountry after venturing beyond resort boundaries.

On Feb. 5, a rescue request was made from the snow-covered mountains in the Jozankei area of Sapporo.

A group of five foreign nationals had taken the gondola up to Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and were snowboarding off-piste before becoming stranded on a steep slope.

They later managed to descend on their own.

In the western part of the city, two non-Japanese men in their 30s snowboarding at Teine Ski Resort strayed off a run and got lost.

They were found safe by the evening. 

As of the end of January, 32 cases involving 38 individuals becoming stranded in the winter mountains have been reported this season. This is a significant increase of 13 cases and 18 people compared to the same period last season.

One person died, one remains missing and 15 others were injured.

Of the 38 people stranded this season, 34―nearly 90 percent―were backcountry skiing or snowboarding at the time, more than double the number from last season.

BACKCOUNTRY TOUR TRAGEDY

In March last year, an avalanche on Mount Rishirizan killed one backcountry tour participant and injured three others, including the guide.

On Feb. 4, Hokkaido police sent papers on the tour company president and another representative to prosecutors on suspicion of causing death and injury by professional negligence, investigative sources said.

The case was referred to prosecutors with the police’s opinion to leave the indictment decision to them, the sources said.

A total of six participants and one guide on the backcountry tour were caught in the avalanche.

PEAK AVALANCHE PERIOD

According to the police, 16 avalanche-related accidents have occurred over the past five seasons from November 2019 to March 2024, resulting in 11 deaths and 10 injuries.

Of these, 75 percent took place in February and March.

In March last year, two fatal accidents occurred, including one on Mount Rishirizan.

SUDDEN TEMPERATURE CHANGES

“The accident on Mount Rishirizan occurred when a skier descending the slope triggered a surface avalanche, catching those who were skiing or waiting below,” said Yusuke Harada, 51, chief researcher of the snow and ice team at the Civil Engineering Research Institute for Cold Region.

He investigated the avalanche accidents, including one on Mount Rishirizan, as part of a research team from the Japanese Society of Snow and Ice. 

Harada explained that as March approaches, avalanches become more likely in mountain areas: the risk of surface avalanches grows as new snow from heavy snowfall and snowstorms accumulates on previously smoothed slopes.

“To avoid avalanche accidents, it is important to not only consider the weather on the day of the activity but also understand how temperature fluctuations and sunlight leading up to that day have affected the snowpack, as these influence the snow quality on the slopes,” he said.

“A comprehensive judgment, considering the terrain, vegetation and other factors, is necessary,” he added.

For backcountry enthusiasts, Harada recommends staying informed about local conditions and reconsidering skiing or snowboarding immediately after storms or sudden temperature changes.

He emphasized that if a tour is confirmed, having the right equipment is essential, but equally important is making sure the group discusses how to avoid avalanches and what to do in the event one occurs.

(This article was written by Yuka Suzuki, Chifumi Shinya and Masatoshi Narayama.)

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