Japan's Backcountry Ski Boom Sparks Rising Accident Rates Among Foreign Visitors

Japan's Thriving Avalanche Sport Scene Raises Concerns Over Safety

In recent years Japan has become a popular destination for backcountry skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. The country’s steep mountains, heavy snowfall and beautiful scenery attract people who want to test their limits away from the groomed slopes of resorts. This growing interest has brought more visitors to the backcountry, but it has also led to a rise in accidents. Local authorities note that foreign nationals make up a large share of those involved in incidents. According to the Hokkaido prefectural police, the number of backcountry skiers and snowboarders caught in accidents has been climbing since the COVID‑19 pandemic eased. During the 2022‑23 season, 21 of the 66 people involved in accidents were foreign nationals. In the 2024‑25 season that figure rose to 76 out of 94. So far in the 2025‑26 season, 69 of the 86 people caught in accidents have been from overseas.

The Risks of Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding

One of the biggest worries for officials is that many visitors do not fully understand the dangers of traveling beyond the marked trails. Backcountry skiing and snowboarding mean moving into terrain that is not patrolled, not groomed and not controlled for avalanche risk. In such places the snowpack can be unstable and a slide can happen with little warning. Recently a string of avalanches has struck mostly foreign enthusiasts in Hokkaido, causing serious injuries and a few close calls. On March 5 a Taiwanese man in his forties was swept away by an avalanche on Mt Kami‑Furano; a police helicopter rescued him. Five days later a Canadian man in his twenties was hit by a slide on Mt Sandan and ended up in critical condition. Investigators from the Hokkaido branch of the Japanese Society of Snow and Ice determined that both slides were surface avalanches, which occur when a weak layer of snow gives way over a harder base.

Understanding Avalanches and Taking Precautions

Experts say that knowing how avalanches form is the first step to staying safe. Shohei Sasaki, a member of the Hokkaido branch of the Japanese Society of Snow and Ice, points out that late winter is a period when the snowpack is especially prone to failure. He advises anyone planning to go into the mountains to check the latest weather and avalanche forecasts, to carry proper safety gear and to travel with a partner who knows how to use it. The Hokkaido prefectural police have tried to reach foreign visitors with safety messages in English and Chinese. They have posted warnings on social media and printed posters that urge people to look at avalanche reports, avoid known danger zones and turn back if conditions look uncertain. These efforts aim to reduce the number of preventable accidents while still allowing people to enjoy the backcountry experience.

The Economic Benefits of Avalanche Sports

Despite the risks, the influx of backcountry enthusiasts brings noticeable economic gains to local communities. Hotels, restaurants, gear shops and guide services all see increased business when foreign visitors arrive. In Hokkaido the ski industry remains a key part of the regional economy, and many operators have tailored their offerings to overseas guests. The money generated helps create jobs and supports small businesses that might otherwise struggle in the off‑season. At the same time, officials recognize that the costs of rescue operations, medical treatment and equipment replacement can be high. Balancing the financial upside with the need for safety measures remains an ongoing challenge for municipalities and tourism boards.

Corporate Reporting and Risk Management

Sompo Holdings released its Integrated Annual Report for the fiscal year 2024, covering activities from April 1 2024 to March 31 2025, with additional updates on recent initiatives. The report combines financial data, sustainability information and corporate governance details into a single document that is meant to be easy to read for investors, customers and the wider public. It outlines the company’s vision, its strategic goals and the reasoning behind those goals, while also showing how specific sustainability projects have affected society and the environment. Sompo chose this integrated format to give stakeholders a clearer picture of how the business creates long‑term value and to encourage dialogue that can lead to further improvements. The report serves as a disclosure piece required by the Insurance Business Act and its enforcement ordinance, and it follows a range of international frameworks such as the Integrated Reporting Framework, GRI standards, ISO 26000 on social responsibility, the SDG Compass and the TCFD and TNFD recommendations on climate‑related financial reporting. By presenting both numbers and narrative in one place, Sompo hopes to help readers see how its insurance products, risk‑management services and sustainability work fit together to support safe activities like backcountry skiing and snowboarding.