Powder Ski Trip in Niseko and Sapporo

Experience the best freeride skiing in Japan on this amazing 10-day tour through Hokkaido's most epic powder spots with a local certified guide! From the world-renowned resorts of Niseko and Sapporo to hidden gems in the backcountry, you'll have the chance to explore some of the most challenging and rewarding terrain in Japan.

TRIP TYPE

Group

DURATION

10 Days

OFFER PERIOD

Jan - Mar

FITNESS LEVEL

Fit

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

PAYMENT METHODS

Credit Card, Wire Transfer and more!

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

4.8

Based on 19 reviews

Kokusai resort's long powder lines
Mount Yotei backcountry tour
Rusutsu resort hidden gems
Shirebetsu fun
Moiwa's amazing powder runs

Description

On this comprehensive 10-day tour through Niseko and Sapporo, you will discover the best freeride skiing in Hokkaido, all while enjoying a full-on Japan experience too!

The famous dry powder of southwest Hokkaido has the island its reputation as one of the best ski destinations in the world. We will prove Hokkaido's fame to be true on an adventure-packed 10 days in which we will enjoy 7 to 8 off-piste skiing days with lift access to the best pow, and 1 to 2 days of intensive backcountry skiing, if you are up for it. Although we have an outlined itinerary, we will be flexible to ski on the best snow each day.

Of course, the tour will not only be limited to skiing. We will have the chance to eat delicious Japanese cuisine and to recover at different onset (hot springs).

In terms of the vertical, we will ski around 10,000 downhill vertical meters each day, with a 500 to 900m vertical drop. As for uphill efforts, the hardest will be the day we climb Mt. Yotei, which will take a total of 4 to 6 hours (1500 m vertical) between ascent and descent. We will spend around 3 hours on each of the rest of the tours and the pace will take the needs of the group into consideration.

This trip is open for both skiers and snowboarders to join. Different levels are also welcome, we will find the right group for you. Each group has a maximum size of 6 people. Keep in mind that safety is the priority for us. If the conditions are not right, our guides will pursue more conservative options for each day.

We'll be based in Kutchan, a small village with easy access to Niseko and Sapporo areas. We'll stay in comfortable and cozy guesthouse for the whole group, in a friendly and unique atmosphere. If you want to travel around Japan after this trip, we can help you with some local tips and flight arrangements.

Please get in touch with us if you want to join this freeriding trip in Japan! It will be our pleasure to guide you.

And in case you're looking for a similar trip with more ski touring and less freeriding, you should consider this road trip and backcountry ski touring in Hokkaido.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Lift tickets

- Transport during the trip

- Skis

- Ski poles

Price details

INCLUDES:

Guiding

Ski Passes

10 Nights of Accommodation

Breakfasts

Transportation in Japan

Avalanche Training Session

Ski Technique Coaching (optional)

Avalanche Equipment (Backpack, Probe, Shovel) -Beacons are NOT included-

Free rental of Skis and Boards (Kaestle freetouring skis, Nitro boards, Gara splitboards)

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Lunch and dinner

Beacons (they will be charged 90 EUR/ per camp)

Flight ticket (Europe-Sapporo is approx. 600 EUR)

Travel and Cancellation Insurance (approx. 100 EUR)

Optional Cat Skiing

Secure your spot with just 25% payment

48-hour free cancellation with 30-day advance booking

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival + transfer to the house

Day 2: Rusutsu

We will enjoy some great tree-skiing.

Evening: Avalanche Safety Presentation.

Day 3: Moiwa + Avalanche rescue practice

We will enjoy some great powder skiing and beacon search skills after.

Evening: Onsen

Day 4: Niseko Backbowls

We will visit the best ski spots in Niseko (Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, and Annupurri).

Evening: Night Powder Skiing

Day 5: Kiroro

We will enjoy the less crowded Kiroro and work on our ski technique.

Evening: Karaoke Night (optional)

Day 6: Day off

Enjoy skiing on your own, visiting a Whisky distillery, going to Otaru, or planning your own fun.

Day 7: Mount Yotei

Enjoy a thrilling day in the backcountry on a Mount Yotei climb that will allow you to ski in the crater and then ski down Yotei!

Evening: Onsen

Day 8: Sapporo Kokusai

Enjoy the amazing off-piste and access to the backcountry that Kokusai offers.

Day 9: Sapporo Teine

Ocean views and the steepest terrain in Hokkaido!

Day 10: Last Day!

We have several options including ski touring in a secret Southwest Hokkaido spot, take the van, or ski all the way to the ocean.

Evening: Good Bye Party

Day 11: Flight back home OR Optional stay in Japan for more days.

Flights from/to Japan-Europe take 2 days. If you need help with your flights, send us a message.

Equipment you will need to bring

We INCLUDE the following: SKIS: Kastle BMX and FX (115mm and 105mm underfoot), Scott Scrapper (120mm underfoot) and Punisher (105mm - 110mm underfoot), Armada JJ (117mm underfoot) in various lengths for men and women. SNOWBOARDS:Nitro Slash (powder specific), Gara Splitboards BINDINGS:Fritschi Tecton (tech binding) and Tyrolia Adrenalin (frame binding, classic binding with hiking option) AVALANCHE EQUIPMENT: Shovel and probe (Beacon is NOT included) PLUS telescopic poles and snowshoes for short hikes for snowboarders and cartridges for ABS backpacks. Please do bring your backpack. NOT INCLUDED: Beacon (available for rent, for 90 EUR for the whole camp), ski boots, helmets, snowboard boots or snowboard bindings.

FAQs

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration

Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa MIZU NO UTA

See rooms

Chitose

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Japan

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Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa KIRIN NO YU

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Chitose

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Japan

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Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa YU NO HANA

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Chitose

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Japan

See rooms

About the guide: Vojta Lim & Guides

Vojta Lim & Guides

4.80

(41)

Mountain Guide

Hi, I’m Vojta, welcome to our profile! We are a small and specialized guiding company based out of the Czech Republic, dedicated to offering freeriding and ski-touring trips mainly to Japan and Norway. We run powder camps and tours across the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu in Japan. In March every year, we move to arctic Norway and run Ski and Sail expeditions around Lyngen Alps. We started as a group of friends guiding in Japan in 2013 and we still beleive you should feel like you are riding with friends on our trips. The tours are flexible with the single purpose of skiing in the best snow and finding the best lines possible. We have strong area knowledge of the terrain and go the extra mile to provide you with an unforgettable experience. Our trips not only include skiing, but also delicious food and local culture as you improve your skills as a backcountry skier or snowboarder.

On our trips, you will be guided by Czech and Slovak UIAGM Mountain guides & Ski Guides (Robert Vrlák, Peter Koteles, Daniel Menšík, Vojta Lím, or Tomáš Prajzler)

If you don't find what you are looking for, get in touch, we will be happy to help and welcome you on board!

Languages

English | Czech

Request more information

What people are saying about this trip

Taneli

3.00

The skiing trip encountered several issues, starting with unmet itinerary promises such as night skiing and the advertised average of 10,000 vertical meters of skiing. Despite a smooth booking process and excellent pre-trip information, the trip's delivery fell short. The guide we had was notably unprofessional, affecting the group's experience negatively due to his behavior and lack of fitness. Also, the inability to choose between advertised group levels and the inclusion of unfit participants further marred the experience. The house we hade provided comfortable accommodations, yet disparities in lodging quality between the groups without price adjustments was not fair. Breakfast was a highlight and the Sherpas staff was really nice. Overall the trip, despite its potential, was ultimately disappointed due to significant shortcomings in execution and leadership.

Trevor

5.00

Great all round trip with great guides.

Emma

5.00

What an experience! Vojta, Tomas, Cyril and Kuba run a great camp with good balance of ski touring and lift access to get to the best lines of the day. I liked the idea of not having daily program set in stone but rather wait for morning weather report to decide on the best option for the day. I highly recommend Sherpas ride for Japow experience.

Evan

5.00

I recently did the Freeride Camp with Sherpas Ride and it was amazing. First of all the staff is not only very competent but also highly motivated to provide a great experience on and off the mountain every single day. The provided equipment (Skis, Poles & avalanche equipment) was new and worked well. Breakfast was freshly made every day and the guys did a good job creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere throughout the trip. I'll definitely try to come back for another trip!

Kylie

5.00

I was not backcountry skier before. Thank to Vojta and Tomas it was my experience with powder outstanding. I would recommend Japan trip to any skiing fan. Thank you guys for gr8 adventure.