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i only know the typical bowls like Niseko and Tomamu, but you can probably get some more info from these sites. http://www.powderhounds.com/Japan/Hokkaido.aspx http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-ski-resorts/prefecture/hokkaido http://www.hokkaidopowderguides.com their mention of Rishiri for backcountry skiing sounds like it could be fun. it's a dormant volcano island off the coast of Wakkanai at the northern tip of Hokkaido, normally it's famous for kelp and sea urchin during the summer months, but in wintertime it's almost completely empty other than the really adventurous types, but it doesn't really get lower than -10C (not counting windchill) so it's still cozy.

Outdoor Japan publishes a snow guide each year. Here's a back issue: http://www.outdoorjapan.com/magazine?id=75

Best Ski Resort: Niseko (hirafu, annupuri) Good location: Sapporo bankei Other: Rusutsu, Tomamu http://skisnowboardjapan.jimdo.com/ski-snow-board/ http://www.goodsports.co.jp/white_eng/

see the section on off-piste in this link. they'll tell you which resort areas allow it, and which allows backcountry. there hasn't been much mention of non-beginner skiing here before so i'm not sure how many people here have the knowledge to help. i mostly only Alpine, only went Randonee(x-country + clicklock for downhill) once for a 5 day camping trip at Lake Garibaldi in B.C., and that was over 20 years ago. Stuart Iles lives in Hokkaido, he might be able to help. http://www.powderhounds.com/Japan/Resort-Comparisons.aspx