↘ Mekunnai-dake — Niimi Onsen Route

The Niimi Onsen route on Mekunnai-dake is the traditional line — and the western gateway of the Niseko Haute Route traverse. About 8.2 km, 690 m and 5 hours (3.5 up, 1.5 down), graded 5.5/10 by Hokkaido Wilds. Niimi Onsen itself was mothballed and demolished in 2020, and Route 268 is no longer cleared for the ~4 km from the Route 66 intersection to the old onsen (per the source as of March 2021) — plan on extra travel along the snowed-in road corridor. Read this as a description, not a recommendation.

[The climb] From the old Niimi Onsen road-end the route enters the creek drainage, crosses on a snow bridge (waypointed in the GPX), and gains the broad southeast ridge to the 862 m plateau. The source is explicit: 'in heavy snowfall conditions, the broad ridge that runs from the creek-crossing to the 862 m mark is avalanche-prone, so take a more southerly route in fresh heavy snow.' Above treeline the final metres to the bouldery summit are a ~20 m boot-pack.

[The skiing] The southeast glades and open slopes are classic Niseko-range tree skiing (baked max 37°, median 19°). Descend broadly along the ascent line and make sure you hit the snow-bridge crossing.

[Cautions] The end of snow-clearing varies year to year — verify on the day rather than trusting the GPX 'end of snow-clearing' waypoint. Check the JAN SW Hokkaido and Niseko avalanche bulletins before departing, and make your own stability assessment.

Start & parking: Depends on where snow-clearing ends. In years when Route 268 is not cleared beyond the Route 66 intersection (~4 km short of the old onsen), park in the small space near the clearing end and skin the snowed-in road. Do not block the road.

Getting there: No public transport; car only, from the Rankoshi/Niseko side.

The day: ~8.2 km and ~5 hours — more if the road corridor is added. February–April is best.

Onsen: Niimi Onsen is closed. Use Yukichichibu (¥700, closed Tue) or Goshiki Onsen (¥800) instead. Confirm hours locally.

Info: Check the JAN SW Hokkaido and Niseko avalanche bulletins before departing.