I recently climbed Mt. Apoi, so here a report of what it currently looks like.
The Ponsanushibetsu River is frozen over and covered with snow.

The sky was so clear, I could see Mt. Pinneshiri

Ezo deer footprints

Ponsanushibetsu River

These footprints belong to a rabbit! It's been a while since I've seen rabbit prints.

The prints on the left are from people.

1^st Station

There's a herd of Ezo deer along the birch trees (probably hard to see in this photo though).

The snow in the middle of the forest is pristine.


2^nd Rest Spot


4^th Rest Spot

Near the 5^th Rest Spot, I think I found mouse prints!

5^th Rest Spot

5^th Station
You can see the Pacific Ocean from the 5^th Station

Heading towards Ume-no-se from the 5^th Station.

6^th Station

6-7^th Station

Pacific Ocean view from the 6-7^th Station

Closer towards Uma-no-se, the wind was blowing the snow around and I could see the ground in spots.

Uma-no-se flower fields

The wind creates pretty patterns in the snow.

The Hidaka Mountains from Uma-no-se

Mt. Pinneshiri from Uma-no-se
The top of Mt. Apoi from Uma-no-se

Between the 7^th and 9^th Stations, there were some spots where the snowdrifts were so deep that the snow came up to my knees.

Every year, overhanging snow builds up on the left side of the ascending path.

The old Horoman flower fields

There was significant snow accumulation around the 8^th Station.

9^th Station

The summit of Mt. Apoi

A view of the ridgeline from the 9^th Station

The sunset over the Pacific Ocean as seen from Hotel Apoi Sanso

A word of caution:

On this day, two other hikers joined him on this climb up Mt. Apoi. If I had been alone, I might have turned back at the 5^th Station. Seeing a set of footprints go up the mountain made the climb considerably easier for me. Even so, I had to detour around two large snowdrifts I couldn't climb over.

On the way back down, I think I slipped and fell at least eight times between the 5^th Station and the 2^nd Rest Spot. I might not have slipped if I had crampons and trekking poles. There is ice accumulation under the snow, which makes it hard to see.