Discover Hokkaido's best ski areas (Niseko, Sapporo and Furano) on a 10-day backcountry fest led by a certified guide.
Group
10 Days
Jan, Feb, Mar
Fit
Intermediate
An outstanding amount of snow per year makes Hokkaido one of the best ski destinations in the world. On this 10-day adventure, we will explore the island and its top powder spots.
We will begin with 4 days of freeride skiing and exploring volcanos in the Niseko and Sapporo areas. From there, we will continue on to Furano in Central Hokkaido. Our itinerary usually consists of 2 to 3 days of ski touring (splitboarding) and 6 to 7 days in which we access the backcountry using lifts and then freeriding.
This amazing tour includes exploring Mount Yotei, Daisetsuzan National Park, and Mount Asahikdake, as well as tree skiing in Rusutsu, the back bowl line in Niseko, gullies in Furano, and more! Tasting a wide variety of delicious Japanese food and recovering in the famous onsen (hot springs) will cap off an already great adventure. Plus, we offer free access to skis, snowboards and avalanche gear!
If you want to find out more, you can check the sample itinerary below. You should be aware that this is a flexible trip, adjusted to the weather and snow conditions. We'll use a van to move around Hokkaido. You can join an existing group or come with at least 6 of your friends for a private guiding trip.
In order to join this tour, you will need prior ski touring and freeriding experience. Both skiers and snowboarders are welcome and we will match you with a group based on your skill level. Additionally, you should be physically fit, although you can take extra days off if you wish, activities are not mandatory. The group size is a maximum of 6 people. Keep in mind that we can also create a more or less advanced tailored itinerary for private groups as well.
In terms of vertical, we will ski an average of 10,000 vertical meters per day, with a 500 to 900 vertical drop. The hardest backcountry day will be the Mount Yotei excursion which will take 4 to 6 hours (1500 m vertical). The other tours will take around 4 hours (1000 to 1200 meters). We will set the pace and vertical total depending on the group's needs.
Please, contact us if you'd like to join an amazing backcountry tour in Hokkaido! Or, if you prefer more freeriding and less backcountry ski touring, you should consider this Freeride skiing trip based in Niseko and Sapporo area.
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation included
- Lift tickets
- Transport during the trip
- Breakfast
- Skis
- Ski poles
PRICE INCLUDES:
Guiding
Ski Passes
10 Nights of Accommodation
Breakfasts
Transportation in Japan
Avalanche Training Session
Avalanche Equipment (Probe and Shovel, Beacon is NOT included)
Free rental of Skis and Boards (Kaestle freetouring skis, Nitro boards, Gara splitboards)
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Lunch and Dinners
Beacons (they will be charged 90 EUR/ per camp)
Flight to Sapporo (around 600 EUR if you're flying from Europe)
Travel & Cancellation Insurance (approx. 100 EUR)
Optional Cat Skiing
We can help out with flight reservation and insurance, we can also offer a private trip with tailor-made itinerary, private guide and van if you prefer.
Upon arrival in Japan, you will be transferred to our house, we will set up equipment and go for dinner
During the day, we will enjoy some epic tree skiing, then we will have an Avalanche Safety Presentation that will serve us for the days ahead.
After some amazing ski runs and a beacon search practice, we will head to a Japanese onsen in the evening.
Skiiing in the Niseko Area (Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupurri).
At night, we will take advantage of Niseko`s far-reaching stadium lights to enjoy a night tree skiing session.
A day spent hiking up Mt. Yotei volcano to ski in the crater, and then a 1500 vertical meter descent down Yotei! After an intensive 4 to 6 hours, we will head to the Japanese onsen to recover.
Enjoy a day of skiing on your own, visit the Whiskey distillery or Otaru before we load the van and head to Furano.
We'll head to our favorite secret spot in Daisetzusan and then recover at a natural onsen at the foot of the mountain.
This unique resort in Central Hokkaido has some amazing tree lines that we will show you to.
Hike to the Asahidake summit and then enjoy skiing in the powder-filled crater along with the steam.
We will choose where to ski during the day and then enjoy a farewell party in Sapporo in the evening.
Flights from/to Japan-Europe take 2 days, let us know if you need help organizing them. Keep in mind we can also start the trip from Kutchan or Furano.
Accommodation 1. We'll stay in the Slope, comfortable and cozy guesthouse in Kutchan (Niseko) for the whole group, in a friendly and unique atmosphere. We aim to create a warm and family like atmosphere. We will be within walking distance of local izakayas, restaurants, bars, and grocery stores. Breakfast is prepared by our chef and cooking is possible for the other meals. The house fits 12 people. It has 6 rooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, and a dining room. Rooms are used as double rooms, however, bigger ones can be organized as triple rooms if needed. A single room can be confirmed when the camp is fully booked.
2. Furano pension with a similar standard as the house in Kutchan. |
Meeting point Sapporo Chitose |
Other gear: We provide the following equipment for free use in Japan: **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 **Ski 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. We DO NOT provide Beacon (available for rent, for 90 EUR for the whole camp), ski boots, helmets, snowboard boots or snowboard bindings.
How are groups split?
What is the average age of the people who join this tour?
Is this trip more about freeriding or ski touring?
What is the skiing/snowboarding level of tour participants?
Are debit and credit cards accepted?
What is the budget for your camps?
What ski boots should I take?
What are the requirements related to the VISA?
When do we have to arrive and leave?
Is this program suitable for both skiers and snowboarders?
Do you have travel tips for Tokyo?
Can I send my luggage via post and travel light to Tokyo, Kyoto etc.?
Should I bring my own equipment?
What kind of ski, snowboard and other equipment do you offer?
Do I need my avalanche bag in Japan?
Which is the group size?
What will we do the last night in Sapporo?
Where do the people that join your tours usually come from?
What is the difference betweenthis hokkaido roadtrip and the Powder Freeride Camp?
What considerations should I keep in mind when I take out the insurance?
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!
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