I've been to Asahidake for several seasons. It used to be my little secret, no lift lines, endless lift assisted pow runs. Those times are gone! This year brought unbelievable waits at the lift lines during weekdays, weekends, all days. Lift lines with no rules, with people cutting in line constantly. Many of these people are beginners or don't know the mountain, and I would routinely see them walking the cat track, or stuck in the snow, barely able to climb out. If you are a beginner, or even an intermediate, this mountain is not for you. There are no ropes showing boundaries, there is no ski patrol, and it's entirely possible to die here. Almost every year someone dies on the mountain. More annoying than the beginner skiers are the hikers. What do they want to do on windy, cloudy, snowy day with zero visibility? Why some people want to bring up their kids to the top of a mountain during a blizzard to walk around is beyond me. You can't see anything! I used to love Asahidake. Those days are unfortunately behind. Behind a lift line that goes all the way down the stairs, out the door, and wraps around the building. Sayanara Asahidake!