NISEKO BACKCOUNTRY GATES GUIDE
Unlock 50% more terrain
the 11 official gates explained
Maps ・ Terrain Breakdowns ・ Difficulty Ratings
What are the Niseko Gates?
Lift-accessed backcountry terrain beyond the resort boundary. Unpatrolled areas with real avalanche risks.
Managed by the Niseko Avalanche information Center.
Quick Stats
11 Gates
2 Intermediate
6 Advanced
3 Expert
🟥200-600m Vertical Gain
❄30cm+ Fresh Snow
Explore All 11 Gates
GATE 1: L-GI
INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED
LOCATED IN ANNUPURI
Gate 2 – AnnUpuri Peak
ADVANCED TO EXPERT
LOCATED IN ANNUPURI
Gate 3: Hirafu Peak
ADVANCED TO EXPERT
LOCATED IN GRAND HIRAFU
Gate 4: Fujiwara No Sawa
INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED
LOCATED IN GRAND HIRAFU
Gate 5: Hanazono Gate
intermediate to advanced
LOCATED IN HANAZONO
Gate 6: Moiwa Peak
ADVANCED TO EXPERT
LOCATED IN MOIWA
Gate 7: E-Sawa Gate
intermediate
LOCATED IN ANNUPURI
Gate 8: Hachi-Ban
intermediate
LOCATED IN ANNUPURI
Gate 9: Waterfall
intermediate to advanced
LOCATED IN HANAZONO
Gate 10: Moiwa Sidecountry
ADVANCED TO EXPERT
LOCATED IN MOIWA
Gate 11: Mizuno no Sawa
ADVANCED TO EXPERT
LOCATED IN NISEKO VILLAGE
Niseko Gate Stats
| Gate | Difficulty | Vertical | Slope Aspect | Slope Angle | Hike |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intermediate/Advanced | 1050m-400m | SW | Average 35° | No |
| 2 | Advanced/Expert | 1295m-400m | SW | Average 37° | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Expert | 1308m-400m | ALL | Average 37° | 20-30 minutes |
| 4 | Intermediate/Advanced | 1154m-300m | NE | Average 33° | No |
| 5 | Intermediate/Advanced | 1027m-704m | E | Average 30° | No |
| 6 | Advanced | 793m-352m | E-SE | Average 30° | No |
| 7 | Intermediate | 797m-398m | SW | Average 27° | No |
| 8 | Intermediate/Advanced | 987m-400m | S-SW | Average 30° | No |
| 9 | Intermediate | 725m-450m | S-SW | Average 30° | No |
| 10 | Advanced | 789m-352m | SW | Average 37° | No |
| 11 | Expert | 928m-295m | S | Average 37° | Yes |