Following two cases of backcountry skiers being killed by avalanches in Hokkaido since the beginning of this year, safety experts in the prefecture are working to fully enforce the so-called Niseko Rules to keep skiers safe.
The recent accidents — one in the village of Shimukappu and another in the town of Nakatonbetsu — involved foreign skiers engaged in backcountry skiing.
To reduce accidents outside of ski slopes, the resort area of Niseko, which is very popular among foreign skiers, adopted a set of rules in 2001 that have for nearly 20 years helped ski resort operators in Niseko protect those who duly abide by them.