Bluemoris is a boutique ski brand made and tested in one of Japan’s snowiest prefectures

Ski Asia's Eliot Cochrane explores how a small ski maker near Mt. Hakkoda is redefining mountain experience through craftsmanship, character, and regional pride.

Settled near Tohoku’s famous Mt. Hakkoda in Aomori, Bluemoris has been operating since 1923. Though not Japan’s oldest ski manufacturer, Bluemoris has remained in production, enduring for decades while many competitors have vanished from the market. Their location in Aomori gives Bluemoris an enviable advantage: Mt. Hakkoda, a mere 30 km as the crow flies, serves as the perfect testing ground for their products, providing immediate feedback on design and performance.

Bluemoris HQ in Aomori, located near Mt. Hakkoda (approximately 30 km), their natural testing ground. Image Map Data ©2025 Google

The name Bluemoris (ブルーモリス) cleverly references its Aomori roots. The prefecture’s name consists of two kanji: 青 (ao), meaning “blue,” and 森 (mori), meaning “forest.” Bluemoris combines the English translation of 青 with the Japanese pronunciation of 森, creating a brand name that honours its regional heritage.

Bluemoris goes beyond conventional ski designs. While they produce typical frontside and powder skis, they’ve expanded their lineup to include numerous models with a step sole designed for hiking. These come in regular ski lengths (150-174 cm) and shorter options (130-140 cm) that function similarly to snowshoes. Further diversifying their catalog, Bluemoris also crafts telemark skis with various sole designs and flex profiles.

Rather than positioning themselves solely as a traditional ski company, Bluemoris aims to broaden how people experience and enjoy mountain environments. Despite weathering some difficult periods, the company has experienced a resurgence thanks to their revitalizing approach and commitment to enhancing outdoor enjoyment in Japan’s natural settings.

Skis tested

Fighter SL, Fighter GS, S-POTION, M-POTION, G-POTION, JAZZY 87

Highlights

POTION series represents Bluemoris’s frontside and technically-focused skis, featuring waist widths ranging from 65-70 mm. Within this series, two specialized models offer narrower 63 mm waists specifically designed for mogul skiing. With significant emphasis on Japan’s popular technical demonstration competitions, the Potion series prioritizes smooth edge control and precision.

The Potion series skis lined up and ready for testing under clear blue skies. Image: Bluemoris

Much of the series’ recent success stems from refinements in its weight and balance. Four years ago when I tested previous Potion iterations, the series was notably heavy due to racing influences, but the current lineup achieves an excellent balance. The current weight is substantial enough to inspire confidence while remaining nimble enough for quick movements. The stiffness profile strikes a similar balance, providing sufficient support for aggressive skiing without the unforgiving rigidity of dedicated race skis.

Ideal for: Skiers who love precise carving and technical turns on groomed runs, both on piste and bumps.

Disappointment

JAZZY 87 is one of Bluemoris’s all-mountain offerings. Tested at 172cm at 87 mm underfoot, it should be a versatile go-to for skiers who want a little bit of everything. Unfortunately, the JAZZY 87 felt comfortable only in soft powder between the top of the boot and the knee. Inconsistent snow conditions, in particular, proved to be quite a handful and any hard pack snow is going to feel unstable. While it’s categorized as all-mountain by Bluemoris, a quick look at the shape makes it clear the focus is still heavily on the freeride sector.

Bluemoris’s Jazzy 87 skis on snow for testing at Geto Kogen in Iwate Prefecture. Image: Eliot Cochrane

The wider nose, designed for float, is inevitably soft, which leads to unpredictability both on-piste and off-piste. On groomed runs, the nose lacks grip, making it feel like you’re trying to walk on ice. Off-piste, while the nose provides some float, it’s prone to diving with any forward pressure. The ski has a narrow sweet spot where it performs well; anything outside of that zone, and it’s not going to be a fun time.

Absent from testing but promising

JONDANO is Bluemoris’s wide ski offering and their most traditional powder ski by global standards. While Bluemoris produces other wide models (including 125 mm waist options), these are limited to a single length of 170 cm. The Jondano is a fixed 105 mm waist, available in 167 cm, 177 cm, and 187 cm lengths, and is likely to appeal most to international visitors seeking Japan’s legendary powder. With a 17.9 m sidecut in its 187 cm version, this ski delivers surprising agility across mountain terrain and performs admirably in-resort after fresh snowfall. However, these skis clearly target powder days and backcountry adventures rather than hardpack conditions.

The Jondano as featured in their catalog. Image: Bluemoris

Ideal for: Powder and freeride skiers looking for a balance in float and agility for deep snow and backcountry.

SYNAPSE RAPTOR is the ‘dessert’ that Bluemoris is clearly eager to showcase for 2025/2026. During the entire conversation with a Bluemoris representative, the only two English words spoken were about this ski: ‘short’ and ‘fat.’ Japan boasts some of the world’s best tree powder skiing, and this ski is designed to excel in that precise environment.

Bluemoris’s catalog image of the Synapse Raptor, designed with a unique “short and fat” philosophy for exceptional tree skiing. Image: Bluemoris

Featuring an asymmetrical shape, which are typically designated left or right, Bluemoris purposefully designed the Synapse Raptor to be usable on either foot. This design allows the rider to choose between a longer effective edge on the outside or inside, adapting to different turn shapes and snow conditions. At a fixed length of 170 cm, 125mm width, and an 18.6 m radius, it offers easy manoeuvrability in trees and bumps, while still providing ample float, covered with a unique topsheet design.

Ideal for: Adventurous powder skiers, especially those who enjoy tight tree runs, seeking a highly manoeuvrable ski with excellent float and aren’t afraid of breaking conventions.

Synapse Raptor in deep snow in Japan’s renowned tree skiing terrain, showcasing its manoeuvrability and float. Image: Ando Hodaka

Why give Bluemoris a look?

Bluemoris’s frontside offerings: the race-oriented Fighter series (left) alongside the demonstration-focused Potion series (right). Image: Eliot Cochrane

For frontside enthusiasts and carving specialists, Bluemoris has recently established an impressive reputation for producing some of Japan’s most sought-after skis at demo days. The Potion series strives to emphasize technical performance that enables effortless carving without feeling locked into edges, and allows for easy transitions to sideways smearing. Their race-oriented Fighter series pursues a different design direction, focusing intensely on carving and solid edge engagement which results in a much heavier ski.

In powder and touring categories, Bluemoris challenges the conventional wisdom that ‘wider is automatically better’ in powder. Their touring and powder options span from 75 mm to 125 mm waist widths, with some featuring integrated step soles. This approach offers a refreshing alternative to standard design philosophies, inviting skiers to experience something different.

A look at Bluemoris’s freeride ski lineup, showcasing models from left to right: Jazzy, Jondano, Raptor, RE:PRIM, Polaris, and the Hakkoda RT. Image: Eliot Cochrane

Bonus Point: Bluemoris frequently engages in creative collaborations. Each year, they partner with diverse brands ranging from Hello Kitty to Riot Skis, AMICSS snowboards, and even local breweries. These limited-edition releases are highly sought after in the Japanese market and make for exciting discoveries on the slopes.

Why avoid Bluemoris?

Unless you’re shopping specifically for carving skis, Bluemoris offers relatively few options. The Jondano stands as their only powder ski that would feel familiar to international skiers. Bluemoris’s other models, featuring step soles and unusually short lengths, while intriguing, are highly specialized. Unless you’re specifically seeking these unique characteristics, the selection of conventional skis is just too limited.

The distinctive Bluemoris logo, similar to the Japanese kanji (森), displayed on a ski strap. Image: Bluemoris

The company’s recent success with technical skis has concentrated their innovation efforts, leaving other models relatively unchanged for years. As a small manufacturer with limited resources, Bluemoris naturally focuses on their most profitable product line. Their primary revenue comes from narrow carving skis (typically under 75 mm), which aligns with Japanese preferences but contrasts with international markets where wider options (75+ mm) often dominate the conversation.

Regional character

What makes Bluemoris unique is how their products embody the specific relationship between Japanese skiers and their regional snow conditions. Their location near Mt. Hakkoda has shaped not just their testing process but their entire design philosophy. Each Bluemoris ski reflects this regional heritage, with small-batch production ensuring hands-on quality control from design through completion.

A glimpse into the Bluemoris manufacturing process, with a storage rack full of Potion series skis in the final stages. Image: Bluemoris

This focused approach creates both strengths and limitations. The personalized attention results in exceptional execution of their carving-focused models, but also restricts their ability to innovate across their entire lineup. The Potion and Fighter series receive the most design attention, while their powder, touring, and hiking options evolve more gradually, primarily seeing changes through special collaborations.

For skiers seeking a frontside-oriented experience with Japanese character, Bluemoris offers something unique and also provides a connection to a specific region of Japan. For those interested in their more specialized models, approach with curiosity tempered by awareness of their design priorities. Either way, these skis represent more than equipment; they’re ambassadors of a distinctive approach to winter sports that has evolved in Japan’s northern mountains.