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Freeride snowboarding in Niigata and Gunma, Japan

Kagura - Gunma
Tenjindaira

Join Tsutomu, certified IFMGA mountain guide, for a freeride snowboarding tour in Niigata and Gunma, two of the snowiest areas of the Japan Alps.

Japan Alps

+1 Day

Jan - Mar

Intermediate

Intermediate


Description

Niigata and Gunma are two prefectures Nestled at the bases of the majestic peaks of the Japan Alps. In this tour you will explore this majestic region with a local mountain guide.

Due to it easy access from Tokyo via Jouetsu shinkansen (bullet train) Niigata/Gunma is a perfect destination for a quick weekend getaway or a short trip.

This area is famous for the deep snow it gets during the winter. It has a lot of small to big ski resorts, where we can access powder runs from. You will enjoy unforgettable snowboarding descents and beautiful views of the Japan Alps.

We will meet at the Echigo yuzawa station and I’ll drive you to the winter sports area. Depending on the weather conditions, your technical skills, fitness and wishes, these are some of the spots we can explore:

  • Lift accessed sidecountry snowboarding at Tenjindaira Ski Area, at the foot of the formidable Mt Tanigawadake.

  • Lift accessed Kagura powder areas.

  • Lift accessed Joushu Hotaka powder area.

You can join this trip whether you’re just getting into backcountry snowboarding or you’re an advanced one expecting for a challenging adventure. We will climb up to find less accessible routes only if you want to.

I recommend you to choose at least the 2-day+ tour to explore this huge area better.

So, if are you up for a freeride snowboarding experience in the Japan Alps, send a request to book this trip! I’ll be glad to explore this amazing area with you.

I also offer many ski and snowboard programs in different areas in Japan, like this Backcountry snowboarding in Tateyama.

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Mountain guide expenses

Price details

Guide expenses (not included in the above price, to be divided among the participants):

-Transport JPY 23,000 (to be paid together with guide fee) -In addition, there’ll be about JPY 1,000 per day for parking and accommodation JPY 10,000-15,000 per day per night, both of which should be paid on the spot.

Price also doesn’t include any transportation cost e.g. shinkansen (bullet train) fair. Accommodation can be paid on the spot rather than in advance.


Details

More info

Kit list:

  • Splitboard / snowboard
  • Skins / snowshoes
  • Touring boots
  • Avalanche Safety Gears (beacon, probe, shovel)
  • Helmet
  • Goggles
  • Gloves
  • Snowboard wear, etc.

You need to purchase your own mountain rescue insurance prior to joining the tour.

Meeting point

We'll meet at Echigo yuzawa station and then I'll drive you to the snowboarding area.

About the guide

Guide profile image

Tsutomu

4.60

(4)

Mountain Guide

To become a mountain guide had been my dream since I first started climbing mountains, and I have been a mountain guide since 2001 as well as an IFMGA guide since July 2014. I am very happy with the opportunity I have as a guide to share my experience, knowledge and skills with everyone that I go guiding with. I still remember the mix of fear, excitement and nervousness the first time I traversed the Daikiretto (a long knife edge ridge in the Northern Japanese Alps) during my first big climbing trip in the Northern Japanese Alps. I felt as if my heart was going to jump out of my mouth! But at the same time I felt so vividly alive and felt the kind of happiness that I had never felt before. It was a life changing experience and want to share this kind of feeling with my clients. My favourite mountain areas are vicinities of Mt Hotaka and Mt Tsurugi in the summer and Yatsugatake in the winter. I have guided backcountry skiing in Nagano areas (Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen) as well. I have also climbed extensively around the world, from Ultar Star in Pakistan to routes in Yosemite in the USA and several peaks in Chamonix in France.

Languages

Japanese | English

Request more information

What people are saying about Tsutomu

Trudy

5.00

Fantastic experience! Mr Sugisaka is a very experienced guide was very willing to take photos to remember the event too! Highly recommended


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