About two months ago, I had the opportunity to head to Nieseko, a once sleepy ski town 2 and a half hours away from Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city. 

The scenery was pretty surreal, only to be outdone by the skiing. Storms originating in Siberia smash into the western coast of the island, and the volcanic slopes that you are skiing on get absolutely mashed with the best powder I have ever skied. 

Lift tickets are around 4800 Yen, or 35-45 USD. Lift Lines were rare, and the best snow was often left untouched. We skied 5 hard days and headed back to Saporro, and eventually Tokyo for the departing flight. It would have been worth the trip just for the food, but I'll definitely be back for the skiing. 

 Taken with The Monoshot