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12-day freeride ski trip in Niseko
Josef, IFMGA mountain guide, takes you on a 12-day ski trip combining a lot of freeriding with some ski touring in the best spots of Hokkaido: Niseko, Kiroro, Rusutsu, Moiwa and Mt Yotei.
Description
Enjoy skiing in the lightest powder snow on Earth. Join this exciting freeride ski trip in Niseko and its surroundings!
Niseko is one of the most famous ski resorts in Japan. Located in the island of Hokkaido, it receives (in average) a jaw-dropping amount of 18 meters of snow per year.
Our itinerary will consist of 9 days of skiing, including short hikes. Besides, there’ll be 1 or 2 optional days of backcountry ski touring.
Here are some of the spots we’ll visit:
- Niseko: it has 4 ski resorts: Hanazono, Annupuri, Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village. Besides, this area has probably the best night skiing in the world, with illuminated deep-powder runs.
- Kiroro: a pretty undiscovered location that receives a great amount of snow.
- Rusutsu: you can find the best tree skiing here. There’s also a side-country park, ideal for those willing to try some freestyle.
- Koukusai, Moiwa: these are smaller resorts… absolutely hidden gems!
- Sapporo Teine: the steepest terrain in Hokkaido, with amazing ocean views.
We’ll be based in Kutchan, a small village with easy access to Niseko and Sapporo area. We’ll rent a house for the whole group and eat food cooked by our chef, on a friendly and unique atmosphere.
Furthermore, we’ll visit some Onsen (hot springs), restaurants with delicious Japanese food and bars for relaxing after skiing all day. So prepare to have a lot of fun!
Even though you can find an itinerary below this description, flexibility will be key in this trip. I’ll adapt the trip according to the weather conditions, as well as the requirements of the group members. I will always be looking for the best snow!
During the trip, we’ll do video-analysis of your technique and give you specific tips to improve your skills in deep snow.
In addition, you’ll receive an Avalanche Training Session, to learn about avalanche rescue and how to move safely on a backcountry terrain.
How do I know if this programme is for me?
You should be able to ski comfortably on most black slopes and be reasonably fit. However, you don’t need to be an expert skier or snowboarder. The idea is to work on your powder technique!
You can join an existing group if you are traveling on your own or gather a group of friends (up to 5) for a private guide.
Besides, if you want to travel around Japan after this trip, I can help you with some local tips and flights arrangements. You can also let me know if you want a shorter trip.
Please get in touch with me if you want to join this freeriding trip in Japan! It will be my pleasure to guide you here and make sure you spend an unforgettable time.
And in case you’re looking for a similar trip with more ski touring and less freeriding, you should consider this road trip and backcountry ski touring in Hokkaido.
More info Equipment: There's no need to bring your own equipment. Powder skis/snbs and avalanche equipment already prepared for you in Japan. | We can help you arrange flights too. Surprisingly, return flight to Sapporo (Japan) cost only around 580 EUR / 16 000 CZK. The sooner you book the cheaper the flight. After your booking I will get back to you and organize flights for you if you require. | If you already have accommodation, we will offer you discounted package without it. | Insurance - approx. 100 EUR (Travel and Cancel insurance (not taking the trip due to injury illness etc.), I can arrange it for you. |
Photos
Itinerary
Day 1 to 2: Flight to Japan. Private transfer to Niseko.
Day 3: Rusutsu
Evening: Avalanche Safety Presentation.
Day 4: Niseko Backbowls + Avalanche Rescue Practice
Evening: Night Powder Skiing.
Day 5: Backcountry day
Ski-Touring in Niseko Area / Evening: Onsen.
Day 6: Kiroro
(+ video filming).
Day 7: Backcountry day
Mt. Yotei Volcano / Evening: Onsen.
Day 8: Rusutsu
Day 9: Kiroro
Evening: “Powder Ski Technique” presentation + Video analysis.
Day 10: Moiwa
Day 11: Teine or Kokusai
Evening: Good Bye Party
Day 12: Flight back home OR Optional stay in Japan for more days.
About the guide
I'm a UIAGM certified guide, skitouring-freeride and heliski guide. I'm a lifelong skier, climber and mountaineer, born in Prachovske skaly, a famous sandstone climbing area in the Czech Republic.
I've personally participated in 13 expeditions to 8thousander peaks and stood 5 times on an 8000m peak. I have guided guests on all continents (7 summits, etc..) in numerous treks, climbing or skitouring expeditions.
I run a guiding company in Prague and work for Patagonia, SKI TRAB and ABS avalanche backpacks. I spend my winter guiding in the Northern hemisphere, including heliski in Lappland (SWE), ski touring in Morocco or enjoying the best powder snow on earth in Japan.
The rest of the time I'm on expeditions in Nepal or South America and I spend most of the summer climbing in my hometown or guiding in the Alps.
I like Czech beer and food, passionate guests and jokes. If I'm not available my team will guide you instead.
For booking assistance
Have any doubts? Talk directly with an Explore Share assistant.
The Concierge service is a great tool for when you still haven't decided what kind of Adventure you're looking for and you're open to suggestions
Prices per person
Group of 1 | EUR 2258 each |
Group of 2 | EUR 2258 each |
Group of 3 | EUR 2258 each |
Group of 4 | EUR 2258 each |
Group of 5 | EUR 2258 each |
Group of 6 | EUR 2258 each |
Group of 7 | EUR 2258 each |
Group of 8 | EUR 2258 each |
Want a different number of travellers?
Price includes
• Guiding fee
• Accommodation
• Lifts tickets
• Transport during the trip
Price details
• Keep in mind that the price may vary according to the time of the year. The price also includes: - Breakfast - Ski Pass - Free hire of Scott Freeride Skis in Japan (no need to bring your own) - Free hire of Avalanche equipment in Japan (Transceiver, Probe and Shovel) - Avalanche Training Session - Evening presentations - Video analysis
What people are saying about this trip
Martin Vana
5.00
July 2019
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!
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!
Alex
5.00
April 2017
(Travelled Feb 2017) Josef\'s colleagues Vojta, Cyril, Kuba and Thomas run a top notch guiding company. They led my group on an amazing 8 day trip in Hokkaido during the second half of February 2017. They prayed to the snow gods and we were rewarded with 6 feet (~150 CM) of light delicious JaPow over the 8 days, surfing snow all over the region. It was beyond epic. Great bunch of dudes, highly competent guides, I would ride with them any day! Highly recommend for anyone considering hitting up Japan or any of their other awesome trips.
Paul Gelbin
5.00
March 2017
No words can describe the amazing experience I had with Sherpasride! They are going above and beyond to find places with the best conditions every day and are providing a very professional guiding. The trip was an unforgettable experience which I definitely want to do again and I can highly recommend Sherpasride, you will enjoy the time with Sherpasride to the fullest! Thank you Vojta, Kuba,Cyril and Thomas for everything!!
Guillaume
4.00
February 2017
Obviously after a trip like that it goes very well! It was a great trip, the group was great and the guides too !! Very competent and they knew their subject! I found the trip checking on the internet and discovered explore-share.com. I was looking for a freeride ski trip in Japan, that only ! We had heard so much about this famous snow … We choose to hire Sherpa guides for 2 reasons : It was the best price for 9 days of ride, and the stay included very little hiking. Knowing that we were looking for freeride and not ski touring, the choice was quickly made. In addition, all equipment was provided (skiing, safety equipment). It was the first time we made such a trip, and frankly speaking, to be repeated! Great snow. The only downside is that we missed some more steep ski runs. But we are not disappointed as we went there for the snow and it was excellent. The fact of having the guide is useful when you do not know the area, the resort. If I had to go back, I would go without a guide because there is no use for me. Once you know a little bit the area, it is impossible to get lost .. We simply followed the \'freeride doors\' that everyone takes. I would recommend this trip as it was a very good experience, well organized stay, competent guide, and top destination! No regrets!!
Claudio Anthamatten
5.00
January 2017
I had a great week with good snow, a good choice of resorts and restaurants. With Thomas and Vojta you will get in a short time a perfect glance of hokkaido...
Ivan Schellhorn
5.00
January 2017
Best Backcountry tours in JAPOW, awesome spirit, fantastic guiding, good food and excellent local knowledge. Our group has had a blast with Thomas and Vojta. Highly recommend to go with these guys
Christian Gottwald
5.00
August 2016
Best ski guiding in the World..... Awesome Japanese trips. Very good organization... Nice people.... All in all perfect..... Looking forward to book the next trip.
David Urie
5.00
August 2016
I was not backcountry skier before. Thank to Vojta and Tomas it was my experience with powder outstanding. I would recommend Japan trip to any skiing fan. Thank you guys for gr8 adventure.
Jacqui Benson Ellett
5.00
May 2016
Thanks guys for running a great trip.. 2017, see u there!
Nenad Tripic
5.00
May 2016
Tomáš and Vojta are doing a great job and I can really recommend Sherpas Ride to everybody who\'s looking for an unique experience in Japan.
Junny Lee
5.00
September 2014
Vojta is not only an excellent skiing instructor - he is a great person. It was my second time skiing after a terrible skiing accident ten years ago. Vojta took personal care of me. He improved my technique immensely, gave me confidence and most importantly enabled me to love and enjoy skiing once again. Thanks Vojta!
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.