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Backcountry Ski Tour Day in Shirakawa, Gifu

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Backcountry Ski Tour Day in Shirakawa, Gifu
Backcountry Ski Tour Day in Shirakawa, Gifu

Get the chance to explore the mountains surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa. Ryuta-san, a local JMGA guide, will provide you with one of the best backcountry skiing and cultural experiences you can have in Japan.

Not specified

1 Day

Jan, Feb


Description

What about some backcountry skiing in Shirakawa, the World Heritage Site in Japan? For those who are excited by the prospect of skiing DEEP & STEEP, this tour will be an unforgettable experience!

Shirakawago, the UNESCO World Heritage Site known for the beautiful 'Gassho-zukuri' historic village, is an area with one of the heaviest snowfall in Japan. If you would like to experience both the deep snow & steep terrain skiing and the traditional Japanese scenery and culture, this tour is the one for you!

Shirakawa is not a ski resort, and so backcountry skiing here involves non-lift accessed full-hikes. Hard work makes the downhill all the more valuable, and it also means that this place is visited by very few people.

I am a local guide of the area and I will be able to guide you to terrains and ski lines, as well as introduce you to local culture that only local guides will be able to show you!

Find out more through the experiences shared by a group of backcountry skiers and splitboarders in Shirakawago who travelled there through Explore-Share and the Shirakawa Skiing video to get ready for the coming season!

Kit ListSki gear (skies, split board, snowboard)Skins, snowshoesSki bootsSunglassesGogglesGlovesSki wearSafety gears (beacon, probe, shovel)*The following items are available for rent by prior arrangement.

-Beacon, probe, shovel, backpack, snowshoes, poles**Excluded from Price:**Gear rental feeAccommodation fee
*Here is some options for accommodation around Shirakawago:
-Toyota Shirakawago Nature School JPY10,000+ with meals
-Inn in historic villages of Shirakawago JPY10,000 or less with meals
-My friend own guest house JPY3,000-4,000Transportation fee

Price includes

- Guiding fee


Itinerary

Day 1: Backcountry skiing in Shirakawa

I will meet you at Takayama Station at around 8:00 a.m. and I will take you to your hotel. Or, you can go Shirakawago by yourself. I will pick a location between Shirakawa and Hirayu areas depending on the conditions of the day. Hirayu area offers backcountry skiing opportunities at Yakedake or Norikura.

The tour is expected to finish at around 3:00 p.m.

 

Details

More info

Technical Level: Advanced, required to be able to ski on advanced slope.

Fitness Level: Need to be fit enough for 3-4 hike-ups per day. Cumulative Hike-up altitude per day is 800-1,000 m

Previous Experience: Backcountry skiing experience

Climate: Highest temperature at base of a mountain: 2℃ Lowest temperature at base of a mountain: -5℃

Rental Gears: I can lend you the following gears -

  • Avalanche Safety gears (beacon, shovel, probe)
  • Backpack
  • Snowshoe / Splitboard / touring skis
  • Ski poles

Meeting point

Takayama Station http://shirakawa-go.org/kankou/access/

About the guide

Guide profile image

Ryuta

5.00

(4)

Mountain Guide

I live in Gifu prefecture in Japan, which is famous for Shrakawago UNESCO World Heritage Site and also becoming famous as the backcountry skiing / snowboarding arena known for its DEEP snow and STEEP terrains.

I am a JMGA certified mountain guide, also certified in Wilderness First Aid. Following my competition years in snowboarding, I became a guide because I liked backcountry snowboarding and wanted to propose safe and fun trips to clients, where I can share my experiences and joys that I felt in the mountains. I spend the winter exploring new backcountry terrains and spend rest of the year climbing mountains. I have accomplished a snowboard descent from the summit of Denali in 2013.
My motto is to guide “safely and fun”, and therefore I aspire to guide small groups. I value the time I spend with each of my guests and this way I can spend more time communicating with clients and for clients to get to know each other better.

I believe that mountain climbing experience should not just be about standing on the summit but also enjoying the nature on the mountain as a whole, learning about the history, and getting a taste of the culture. Shirakawago, in Gifu, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can also enjoy onsen and local cuisine.

Whether it be walking in the mountains, touching the snow, rock, grass or water, or hiking, canyoning, rock climbing, or backcountry skiing, I believe that experiences in the outdoors will enrich your life. Japan is a country of 4 distinct seasons, blessed with rich and beautiful nature. Let’s have fun together in this nature, using all your 5 senses, moving your bodies and feel the rhythm of the nature and of the Earth. I would love to share my outdoor experiences with you and I endeavour to guide in a way to connect people to people, and people to nature in the natural rhythm of the nature.

Languages

Japanese | English

Certificates

JMGA

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What people are saying about this trip

Jacob

5.00

Without a doubt, Ryuta-san exceeded all of my expectations. His level of professionalism, planning, client care and willingness to go the extra mile are on par with the best in the business. He is also the first dedicated splitboard guide I've toured with, so this was an added plus!

Eric

5.00

Great mountain, awesome guide, good times. Only for dedicated backcountry enthusiasts though.


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