Explore-Share logo and link to home

Backcountry ski safari in Hokkaido

Backcountry ski safari in Hokkaido 30

Join local guide Makoto Takeishi for this 6-day trip letting you explore best ski areas in Hokkaido from Sapporo to Asahidake.

Not specified

Daisetsuzan

6 Days

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec


Description

I propose you this 6-day backcountry ski roadtrip in Hokkaido! We will be travelling from Sapporo to Asahidake area, stopping by my selection of spots with the best condition and best quality of powder snow.

The roadtrip will be a mixture of classics you see in magazines and videos to some secret spots that I discovered through my persistent exploration! If you're interest is in touring and skiing in untracked faces away from the crowds then you've reached the right place.

As a trained JMGA mountain and ski guide as well as through my guiding experiences I will take your mountain safety seriously.

A stomach full of delicious Japanese cuisine and a rejuvenating dip in the hot spring 'onsen' will prepare you for another full day of skiing! Such Japanese hospitality are not to be missed if you're visiting this country!!

The itinerary of this tour will give you a full plate, from enjoying the open powder runs to experiencing powder skiing in between trees (trust me, it's fun!) to greeting some steep terrains.

This an intermediate level trip, so you'll need to have previous experience in backcountry skiing and to be a able to ski on advanced slopes.

Please contact me if you want to be a part of this adventure! I can also adapt this trip to you if you would like it to be shorter or longer. If you're short on time, make sure you check out my shorter 3-day Hokkaido backcountry trip based around Asahidake. Or if you'd like to indulge in even more Hokkaido powder and culture then check my more complete 12-day trip in Hokkaido.

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Mountain guide expenses


Itinerary

Day 0: Welcome

Arrival at Chitose Airport and check in at the your hotel.

Day 1: Meet at your hotel or Chitose Airport.

I will pick you up at your hotel or at Chitose Airport at 8:30 a.m.

Then, we will drive up to one of the sites for the warm-up skiing. (Kiroro, Sapporo Kokusai or Teine)

Day 2: Sapporo area

Let’s enjoy skiing around Sapporo area. I will select the best site depending on the snow condition. It may be Kiroro, Sapporo Kokusai or  Teine. At night, we will stay at hotel in Sapporo.

Day 3: Tokachi area

We will move to Tokachi area and we’ll stay at a hotel in Tokachi. I will prepare your breakfast and dinner. I will appreciate if you could pay for the ingredients.

Day 4: Asahidake

I will take you to Mt. Asahidake and we will stay at Asahikawa at night.

Day 5: Secret spot

This day, I am happy to take you to the secret spot of my favorite area. We will stay again at the hotel in Asahikawa at night.

Day 6: Secret spot

Secret Spot (Asahikawa / Sapporo stay depending on your choice of airport for departure).

Day 7: Option

Option:
I will drive you up to Asahikawa or Chitose Airport on Day 7, if you need rides with optional transportation expense. Please feel free to ask me.

 

Details

Accommodation

JPY3,500 per person / night in Sapporo JPY6,500 per person / night in Asahikawa (with breakfast) JPY3,000 per person / night in Tokachi

More info

Equipment list: -Ski gear (skies, split board, snowboard) -Skins, snowshoes -Ski boots -Sunglasses -Goggles -Gloves -Ski wear -Safety gears (beacon, probe, shovel) *The following items can be rented by prior arrangement. -Beacon, probe, shovel, backpack, snowshoes, poles

This items are not included in the price: - Accommodation for you and for guide - Lift pass for you and for guide: JPY 4,000 per person / day *When there is lift usage and depending on conditions (to be paid on the spot)

Meeting point

At your hotel or at Chitose Airport at 8:30 a.m

About the guide

I was born in Tokyo, and moved to Sapporo via Nagano. I've skied for however long I can remember and I've been in love with skiing for 35 years now.
My high school years were spent following outdoors related curriculum and skiing in the winter, whilst studying in the evenings. I then moved onto competing in Ski Cross at World Cup level twice, as well as competed in Big Mountain competitions.

I also have experiences as a ski instructor and a ski patroller, driven by my desire to help others through skiing. I spent 2 seasons at Niseko Moiwa and 5 seasons at Sapporo Kokusai ski resorts, where I now know really well. I also have 16 years of river guiding experience during the summer times in Hokkaido.

I jumped into the world of mountain guiding after my seasons at Sapporo Kokusai, and I currently manage the Taisetsu Ishimuro Hut whilst guiding Taisetsu, Tokachi and Hidaka areas (Central Hokkaido).

I have ski guided film crews and pro-riders from brands in the past as well. I would love to share the climbing, skiing and overall outdoor experience and beauty of it with you.

Languages

Japanese | English

Certificates

JMGA


What people are saying about Makoto Takeishi

Cheuk Yin Angus Wu

5.00

December, 2022

I really want to thanks Take San to show me the different side of East Hokkaido, the food, the culture, the mountain and the snow, it is more than a BC tour. It was a joy to share this experience with him. Highly recommended ありがとうございました :)

Jakob

5.00

September, 2018

We had a fantastic time in Daisetzusan. Makoto is a very skilled guide, a talented chef and has a great sense of humour. We had a somewhat delayed start to our hike because of typhoon weather but Makoto improvised and took us to a farm for fruit picking and a fantastic soba restaurant for lunch. On our way back from the hike we lunched at his favourite ramen joint!

Selim Balduyck

5.00

September, 2017

Great trip, beautiful and various landscapes. Makato treated us very well and by the way he is a great cook!


 

 

Find more off piste skiing trips in Japan

 

Join our newsletter!

Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.