Your Otaru Powder+ Base Camp
- Everyone gets together at the log house, both for work and play!
- 5 houses available, so we can accommodate groups large and small, with privacy....no bunk beds here!
- Easy access to ski areas and back country with flexible transport arrangements
- High-speed WiFi and dedicated workspaces
- Personal guidance from local host
- Lots to do after the lifts close
- Friends sometimes can stay shorter, but we want to get to know you, so the minimum stay is 1 month
First, Why Otaru?
Otaru is smack in the middle of snow country, making it closer to more ski areas than either Sapporo or Niseko, not to mention all the back country in between. Why does that matter? Because snow tends to fall in narrow bands, not in big storms, so one place may get dumped on, while just down the road they get nothing. So being in the middle means you get to pick the best place on any given day.
Plus, in contrast to crowded Niseko, Rustsu and the like, Otaru has lots going on besides the slopes--and no $30 ramen or $50 bunkbed nights. Just great, affordable seafood and easy access to the world's best powder and lots of affordable choices for hot springs, dinner and night life. Play it smart, play in Otaru.
Powder
That's Kanbei, my powder pal on our morning ritual--I tether him to my no-board and we hike up the hill above GP Mura--he gets his exercise and I get a taste of fresh snow before my morning brew. Makes both taste better! This is what I call front country...and I'm surrounded by it...so whenever you want to earn a few turns, or try a new trick, or board, or what have you...it's out there waiting for you.
But where to look...that's always the trick. The powder forms in this part of the world thanks to warm (everything's relative) seas giving up moisture to Siberian winds--when that cold moisture is forced up over our hills, it cools and dumps out as powder. The most important thing to know is that it falls in bands, which are pushed North or South, according to the whims of the jet streams. So, sometimes we get slammed with a half a meter overnight, while Sapporo to the east and Niseko to the southwest get nada. And vice-versa. But being in Otaru means we have the shortest drive, on average, to the freshest cold smoke. And when it simply snows too much to drive, or for even the lifts to operate, well, we always have our secret stash of front country.
+Plus
- No-Boards--making your own board is something you won't be doing anywhere else. Then learning to ride without bindings...nothing like it for getting really centered on your board and in tune with the snow.
- Community--everyone stays for at least a month, so you'll have a chance to hang out and make boarding buddies, roommate pals and other friends. We've only had a couple marriages start here, but who knows?
- And our Lodge is the place to hang out and meet other nomads, ski and board addicts, and some locals. Some nights it's a live jam session, others, it's game night, others, it's movie night....or hanging out with locals for a little cultural exchange--and you can view your day's ride on a big screen....open 24-7
- Dedicated gear rooms-- 1 workshop with a bench for tuning up your gear, another small hut next to parking to dry boots and store your boards--no lugging to your house.
- Sauna--in our own bathhouse. The scents of cedar-lined walls mix with a hint of sulfur for a relaxing sweat. Feeling brave? Get your sweat on and then make some snow angels....then right back inside!
- Back Yard, Dark Sky--go for an evening snowshoe to the top of our little hill, across the saddle and around to enjoy the night sky and fresh air. Or enjoy slip, sliding away right down our little half pipe--we close our road in the winter!
- Bright Lights, Little City--Otaru is a hot spot in its own right, with the best sushi in Japan, and not crazy expensive if you know where to go. And without cover charges everywhere, like Sapporo. Then there's winter surfing, arts and crafts--glass blowing, cutting, cooking classes, calligraphy, language classes...so much to do, and enough time to do it!
Local expertise at your fingertips
With a dozen winters and counting in Sapporo and Otaru, GP knows the snow, the ski areas & resorts, his front country, select backcountry, and favorite spots around town. He also knows local guides for safe, hardcore backcountry, and he'll point you in the right direction, for the best powder on the day, the best real hot springs and the tastiest ramen.
The fact he speaks Japanese means you can enjoy the best Japan has to offer--like going to a real izakaya, to authentic hot springs and mom-n-pop sushi shops, not to mention
negotiating for good deals on equipment. But you can also relax if something unfortunate happens--he'll take you to the hospital and make sure you get the best care possible.
What's more, staying in 1 of the 5 houses he's put together means you'll meet people from all over and enjoy the après ski in the log house--maybe even as much as hitting the slopes!
Ski Longer, Stay Greener, Experience More
Climate change is killing the industry around the world, so we feel we should do our part. That's why we reject the fly-in, fly-out weekend model--too high a carbon footprint per powder turn.
If you're going to ski, dammit, then ski--commit to a month or three and hit the slopes when the powder is smoky, work when it's not. No big thing.
Green, because it matters
We’re Otaru Powder Plus—making winter sports sustainable by doing it the smart way: long stays, fewer flights, and more time on the slopes. For your comfort, we hyper-insulate our houses as we renovate--win for you, win for the planet.
Powder--like nowhere else
Hokkaido powder is the stuff of legends. We’ll get you to the best, safe snow every day--no guesswork needed. You just focus on the fun part.
Plus, you’re here to stay
Stay with us for a few months. This isn’t a weekend getaway; staying longer means going when all the conditions are great--both the powder and how you feel. Going when you're jet lagged or when it's icy or avalanche-prone is a buzz kill. Being able to sleep in when conditions aren't right is a luxury--that you'll have because the next dump is just around the corner--it makes for sweet dreams!
Log House--the place to hang!
Unlimited, free WiFi that actually works, a big, open workspace upstairs that's heated by the wood stove downstairs. On one of the couches in front of the fire is a great place to chat with fellow residents. And they handle the overflow for our weekly pot lucks. Whether you’re working remotely, planning the next day's adventure or just kicking back, the log house is where it's at.
Join the Adventure!
Ready to make the most of winter? Grab your skis, pack for the long haul, and let’s make it a season to remember—eco-friendly, powder-packed, and full of fun.