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Ski touring on Rishiri Island and around Hokkaido

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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!

Group

10 Days

Jan, Feb, Mar

Fit

Intermediate


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

Description

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!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Transport during the trip

Price details

Price also includes: Avalanche equipment (except for Beacon, available for rent for 90 EUR for the whole trip), 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.


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.

 

Details

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have travel tips for Tokyo?

What is the level of skiing/snowboarding with guests?

What ski boots should I take?

What insurance should I take?

Where will we meet?

Should I bring my own equipment?

Which is the group size?

What are the requirements related to the VISA?

What will we do the last night in Sapporo?

Is this trip more about freeriding or ski touring?

Do you get skiers, snowboarders or both?

Can I send my luggage via post and travel light to Tokyo, Kyoto etc.?

What is the budget for your camps?

When do we have to arrive and leave?

Should I take debit or credit card?

Do I need my avalanche bag in Japan?

What is the average age of the participants?

What ski, snowboard and other equipment do you offer free of charge?

Where do the participants usually come from?

How do you split the groups?

About the 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


What people are saying about Vojta Lim & Guides

Mikhail Makhover

5.00

April, 2023

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Daniel Lorimer

5.00

March, 2023

Good trip guides had great knowledge of the area pick the right spot for the days condition did halve touring halve at resorts side county our guide Honza was awesome went out his of way to help even took us ice skating The breakfast was great and paw The Cook's a legend

Petr girard

5.00

March, 2023

Great trip with nice guides, who are dedicated to find everyday the best possible powder. All staff from Sherpas Ride has been very nice a open to anything we wanted. If there is no pow in the resort, they´ll take to the backcountry trip to find fresh lines. I really appreciate their approach and efford to meet our requirments and to secure best possible riding during our trip.

John Wainwright

4.00

February, 2023

Overall a good ski experience. Seemed a little disorganised at times house sharing with changing and different ski groups, and had 3 different ski guides in our short time their which wouldn't have been my preference.

David

5.00

February, 2023

Sherpas ride is the best value for Japow. Experienced guides, great organisation, fair price.

Tim Arts

5.00

January, 2023

I've experienced a lot of guides and Vojta was clearly one of the best, and probably the best guide and organization to ski with. he can bring you places where normal guiding company's do not know the existence of. he is extremely trustworthy on knowledge and experience.

Fanny

5.00

January, 2023

Amazing experience in Hokkaido with Vojta! Riding the best lines and expert guides👌. I already went twice and can’t wait to go again - highly recommended !!

Lexi

5.00

March, 2022

We had a fantastic ski and sail trip with Sherpas Ride! The views and ski lines were memorable. Vojta kept us safe and smiling the whole trip!

Shawn

5.00

March, 2022

I had a fantastic time on the Sherpas Ride ski and sail trip in Norway. The weather was challenging but Votja figured out how to make the best of it, keeping it fun and safe. The other clients in our group were great people. I would happily adventure with Sherpas Ride again.

Anja

5.00

February, 2022

Vojta and Tomáš create a pleasant and enjoyable atmosphere and always look for the best snow conditions in the region. You will enjoy the best skiing experience ever!

Sascha

5.00

February, 2020

Great price/value package, you won‘t be disappointed. We had a fantastic freeride and ski touring trip. Every day the guides will evaluate weather conditions and snow forecast so that you will hit every day fresh powder lines. Guaranteed. JAPOW and Japanese culture for free on top!

Nanna

5.00

January, 2020

Spending 10 days with Sherpas ride was highlight of my trip to Japan. Went for the road trip around Hokkaido. Perfect combination of skiing, touring, powder, beer, Japanese food, culture and karaoke. A small business with lot of great personality, will recommend anyone going for the full Japow experience to go with these guys!

Bastien Adrien

5.00

July, 2019

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!

Manuel Wildtgrube

5.00

July, 2019

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!

Martin Vana

5.00

July, 2019

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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