Ski touring on Rishiri Island and around Hokkaido

Join IFMGA certified guide Josef for this fantastic 10-day ski touring trip spent between the stunning wilds of Rishiri Island and the best freeride runs in central Hokkaido, Japan!

 
 

Details

 

Trip Duration

10 days

People per Guide

6 people

Trip Level

Sustained

Offer Period

Jan, Feb, Mar

Type of Trip

Group

Highlights

 
  • Explore the island of Rishiri and some of the best freeride terrain in Hokkaido
  • Ski from the summit of Mt. Rishiri down to the sea!
  • Discover Hokkaido´s world-renowned powder snow for yourself
  • Join highly experienced and passionate mountain guides
 

Beautiful Rishiri Island lies off the north eastearn coast of Hokkaido in Japan. The magnificent Mount Rishiri, an extinct volcano, dominates this 183 square kilometre land mass.

This trip will be split into two halves with the first 4 days being spent on the spectacular Rishiri Island and volcano. After a day of transit our next 4 days will be spent on the best freeride terrain of Central Hokkaido. On this 10-day program, we will enjoy 8 days of skiing.

Our time on Rishiri Island will be spent ski touring in its abundant powder snow. This is the perfect opportunity to explore this wild and remote landscape in the company of a certified guide.

We will dedicate one day to reach the summit and its 360 degree panoramic views will take your breath away. What’s more, we have the option to take the Volcano from any side, you will be spoilt for choice!

It’s rare for us to come across many other people so we will likely have this epic mountain terrain to ourselves. You´ll find plenty of pristine slopes for your pleasure!

We will use snowmobiles for the first 300 vertical metres on each tour so as to save our legs from over-exertion.

During our time in central Hokkaido we will discover some of the best runs for freeriding that are accessed by ski lifts.

This trip is open to both skiers and snowboarders. You need to be comfortable con black pistes and, ideally, have some freeriding experience (though this isn´t mandatory). A good fitness level is also required, although you can always choose to have more rest days if you need to.

As part of the program, you will undergo an Avalanche Training Session to learn how to navigate the backcountry safely. You will be accompanied by certified guides who will observe your technique and give you feedback as well as video analysis.

If pristine volcano slopes and the best runs in Hokkaido sound like fun, then don’t hesitate to sign up! I can’t wait to share this wonderful experience with you in such an epic location!

Excited by this experience? Perhaps you also want to check out this 10-day ski touring trip in the breathtaking fjords and mountains of the Lyngen Alps in northern Norway!

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Price per person

 
Group of 1
2890 EUR
Group of 2
2890 EUR
Group of 3
2890 EUR
Group of 4
2890 EUR
Group of 5
2890 EUR
Group of 6
2890 EUR
Group of 7
2890 EUR
Group of 8
2890 EUR
 

Price includes

 
  • Guiding fee
  • Accommodation
  • Transport during the trip
 Price also includes: half board while on Rishiri Island, breakfast the rest of the days. Not included in the price are your flights. Flight ticket (Europe to Sapporo costs around 580 EUR, Sapporo to Rishiri Island 250 EUR, we can help out with flight reservation) Insurance - approx. 100 EUR (Travel and Cancel insurance (not taking the trip due to injury illness etc.)) - we can arrange insurance for you Lunches and dinners (on Hokkaido) Please note: The trip with flight tickets, insurance, and all meal expenses will cost you around 3800 EUR.
 Cancellation Policy
 

Itinerary

 
  • Day 1: Japan arrival - Flight to Rishiri Island

    Arrival to Japan (Sapporo airport). Connection flight to Rishiri Island.

  • Day 2: Ski Touring Rishiri

    Ski touring on Rishiri (each day with UIAGM guide)

    In the evening: Avalanche Awareness Presentation

  • Day 3: Ski Touring Rishiri

    Ski touring on Rishiri (a different face) + Avalanche Rescue Practice

    In the evening: Onsen (hot spring) relaxation (like every evening)

  • Day 4: Ski Touring Rishiri

    Ski touring on Rishiri (different face)

    In the evening: Onsen relaxation

  • Day 5: Rishiri Summit

    Today we will attempt to reach the summit of Mount Rishiri

    Weather permitting

  • Day 6: Cetral Hokkaido

    Transfer to Central Hokkaido (Asahikawa)

  • Day 7: Furano
  • Day 8: Kuro-Dake

    Kuro-dake (longest top-to-bottom run on Hokkaido) ​

  • Day 9: Undisclosed!!

    Undisclosed location in North Hokkaido

  • Day 10: Return

    Return to Sapporo and end of the trip.

 
 

Next departures

For private groups contact the guide
 
Next datesInfo
29/02/2020 to 10/03/2020
6 spots available. 2890 EUR.
 
 

Other details

 
Skill level required

Intermediate

Fitness level required

Fit

Accommodation

On Rishiri we will stay in a comfortable and spacious Japanese lodge. Lodge serves breakfast and dinners with the opportunity to relax in the onsen every evening. Rooms are twin.

During the second part of the trip on Hokkaido Island, we will stay in a hotel in Asahikawa with good access to all neighboring freeriding and backcountry options.

 

About the Guide

 
Josef Simunek

Josef Simunek

Mountain Guide

  • 21 reviews
 

I'm a UIAGM certified guide, skitouring-freeride and heliski guide. I'm a lifelong skier, climber and mountaineer, born in Prachovske skaly, a famous sandstone climbing area in the Czech Republic.
I've personally participated in 13 expeditions to 8thousander peaks and stood 5 times on an 8000m peak. I have guided guests on all continents (7 summits, etc..) in numerous treks, climbing or skitouring expeditions.
I run a guiding company in Prague and work for Patagonia, SKI TRAB and ABS avalanche backpacks. I spend my winter guiding in the Northern hemisphere, including heliski in Lappland (SWE), ski touring in Morocco or enjoying the best powder snow on earth in Japan.
The rest of the time I'm on expeditions in Nepal or South America and I spend most of the summer climbing in my hometown or guiding in the Alps.
I like Czech beer and food, passionate guests and jokes. If I'm not available my team will guide you instead.

 
 

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What People are Saying about Josef Simunek

 

I participated in the Sherpas Ride Trip Dec/Jan 2018/19 and I loved the experience of freeriding in Japan as well as the guiding and organization of Tomas and Vojta from Sherpas Ride. The trip was booked directly with Vojta and he advised me carefully on fitness level and equipment required for the trip. I felt well prepared and any question or organizational detail was delivered in a timely manner. At arrival the pickup went smoothly and Vojta is great in making you feel welcome and at home from the first minute. The housing, where our group of 12 people, was accommodated was conveniently equipped and close to restaurants and supermarkets. The facilities like bathroom and kitchen are shared and the group was super lovely and easy to deal with. The equipment (ski, poles, backpack with avalanche rescue equipment, and skins) was all comparatively new and well maintained. Tomas and Vojta were always helpful if there was any need or problem with it. The organization of breakfast, driving to the best spot and during the freeriding or touring day went well because the guys mange everything in a nice and relaxed way. I asked for and appreciated that they gave me advise on how to improve my freeriding skills and that they had a good speed and thus, I was also challenged to become better. I felt well informed on where to go and how to behave and there was always room for discussing snow conditions and how to best spot a line and estimate risks. I definitely learned something there and the two guides made things fun, yet clear when limits are reached. The scenery of the volcanos, trees, and the masses of snow is simply faboulous. There is nothing comparable to enjoying the ride in the deep snow spraying all over you. I would definitely do it again! Thanks for the time, Sherpas Ride, and my great group Dec/Jan 2018/19 - you will always enjoy a special place in my memories.
Read review
Pfanni
Booked the Hokkaido Roadtrip - this can be described in one word: Fantastic! I would book this trip again immediately! Super organized camp with excellent powderlines. Guides are also trying very hard to put together an alternative program (ski tours) if it happens that there is no fresh snow for a few days. Really absolutely recommendable Trip to Japan with all-round care.
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Fortunat Signorell
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.
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Martin Vana
Definitely provided one of the best sports experiences I\'ve ever had. Organization and support was great, staff very competent and ambitious. Skis and boards provided, guides were able to find the best powder lines on the mountains. Big thumbs up!
Read review
Manuel Wildtgrube
 

Other trips in Hokkaido

Tsugaike Kogen
Tokachidake
Tenjin
Tenjindaira
Tateyama
Tanigawa
Tanigawadake
Shiretoko Peninsula
Shiribetsu Dake
Shimamaki
Shirakawago
Sapporo
Rusutsu
Rishiri
Otaru
Nozawa Onsen
Niseko
North Japan Alps
Niigata
Nagano
Myoko
Mount Yotei
Mount Shirouma
Mount Yarigatake
Mount Fuji
Morioka
Mont Yotei
Minakami
Kurodake
Kiroro
Kagura
Iwate
Hirayu
Gunma
Hakkoda
Hakuba
Gifu
Furano
Chubu Sangaku National Park
Asahidake

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