Explore-Share logo and link to home

Explore Asahidake: Backcountry skiing in Hokkaido

Follow JMGA mountain guide Makoto Takeishi into this 3-day backcountry ski tour around the best powder area of Asahidake, in Hokkaido.

Not specified

Daisetsuzan

3 Days

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec


Description

Join me for this amazing 3-day backcountry ski tour in Hokkaido. I will take you to the best powder areas based around Asahidake, the highest mountain in Hokkaido!

On this tour, you’ll be able to experience the popular and classic backcountry skiing on Asahidake, as well as some of my secret spots in the vicinity to hunt for more powder snow away from the crowds.

Aprés Ski in Japan involves delighting your taste buds and hungry stomach with delicious Japanese cuisine. Ending your day in a hot spring ‘onsen’ with its relaxing effect will prepare you for another fun and adrenaline filled day. I believe this trip will be a great opportunity for you to enjoy both the world-class powder skiing and the Japanese culture and hospitality.

Everyday we will go to different skiing spots. That way, you will be able to experience different types of snow, from light powder to dry powder. You will also enjoy variations in terrain, from skiing through the trees to carving your big turns in a wide open face full of pow.

As this is an intermediate program, you should know how to ski on advanced slopes with steepness up to 35-40 degrees. You need to be comfortable skiing tree runs and have full control of your skis, being able to stop anywhere.

Please contact me if you want to start planning this ski trip with me! There are also longer tours if you want. In fact, you can take a look at this 6-day or 12-day trips. I look forward to seeing you in Hokkaido!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Mountain guide expenses


Itinerary

Day 1: Tour start

I will pick you up at your hotel or at Asahikawa Airport. We will go skiing. After skiing, we will stay in Asahikawa.

Day 2: Asahidake

We’ll enjoy skiing at Asahidake. We will be back in Asahikawa in the evening.

Day 3: Secret spot

I will take you to one of my secret spots. At night, you will be staying either in Asahikawa or Sapporo depending on your choice of airport for departure.

Day 4: Option

Option:
I can drive you to Asahikawa or Chitose Airport, on Day 4, if necessary, with a cost. 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 (please pay for the above items on the spot)

Previous experience: Backcountry ski experience before with use of skins. If not, please get in touch before.

Meeting point

At your hotel or at Asahikawa Airport

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.