Ski Japan’s Steepest Backcountry: 7 Days in Hakuba & Myoko

This trip is designed for advanced to expert skiers and snowboarders with backcountry experience. You should be confident riding blue to black diamond terrain in deep, untracked powder and be relatively efficient and practiced on the skin track.

Japan's powder can be incredibly deep, sometimes accompanied by a little or a lot of sluff, loose-moving snow that flows downhill as you ride. While I can provide you with techniques and tricks to manage sluff, frequent falls while skiing or struggling on the skin track can be physically exhausting and may impact your safety and enjoyment.

While you won’t need to make avalanche safety decisions, your expert guide will handle route selection and hazard management; you should be comfortable spending 6–7 hours a day on skis or a split board. The guide will set a steady, conversational uphill pace and establish efficient skin tracks using terrain features.

There’s plenty of room for learning and progression, and I’m passionate about helping you build confidence, push your boundaries, and grow your skills in a safe and supportive way. After years of working in this environment, I’ve gained a wealth of practical experience. I love sharing what I’ve learned, everything from efficient trail braking, track setting, and riding deep snow, to managing sluff and handling technical terrain features with ease and confidence.

Each trip date is open to both individual and group bookings. Some groups reserve all six spots for their own crew of friends, while others book as a pair or even solo. Whether you're joining alone or as part of a group, you're welcome.

I enjoy guiding groups of long-time friends reuniting for their annual ski trip, but it’s equally rewarding to watch smaller groups or solo travellers come together and form new friendships throughout the adventure.

If you have a group of four people, you're welcome to reserve those spots, and I’ll hold the remaining two temporarily if you think you may find others to join.

I take care to match participants based on:

• Backcountry experience

• Ski or snowboard ability

• Fitness level

Safety is the top priority on all of my guided trips. I always select the terrain to match both the current avalanche hazard and the skiing or riding ability of the group. As an ACMG-certified guide, my primary role is that of a risk manager.

This means not only assessing avalanche danger but also identifying and mitigating any other potential hazards that could lead to injury.

Each trip begins with a refresher on avalanche companion rescue, a hands-on practice session, and an orientation that highlights the unique risks of Japan’s backcountry ski environment.

Every day, I choose the most suitable skiing option based on current weather, snowpack, and avalanche conditions.

Throughout the trip, I’m always happy to discuss avalanche conditions, explain how I assess and choose terrain, or talk through any other aspects of my risk management approach.

We strongly recommend that all trip participants purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes:

Guided backcountry skiing

Emergency rescue (including helicopter evacuation)

Medical coverage in case of injury

Please note that many standard travel insurance policies do not cover these types of activities. Be sure to confirm that your policy includes all necessary coverage before your trip.

On this trip, you will be skiing in avalanche terrain that is uncontrolled backcountry mountains. Please understand that while your guide is an excellent risk manager, not all risks can be controlled. All participants will have to read, agree, and electronically sign a Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, and Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement before their trip.

By signing this waiver, you agree to accept and assume these potential risks as well as waive certain legal rights, including the right to sue for negligence, breach of contract or breach of the Occupiers' Liability Act or claim compensation following an accident.

Ski Touring Gear

• Powder-specific touring skis (with a waist size of +105mm) or a split board

• Pre-cut adhesive climbing skins

• Tech bindings - because they are lightweight and ergonomic (No frame bindings)

• Touring specific boots, with proper walk mode, not a crossover or slack country boot with a poor walk mode

• Adjustable poles with powder baskets

Avalanche Safety Equipment

• Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon

• Lightweight snow shovel (no plastic blades)

• Avalanche probe (2.7 - 3m)

• For personal items, we recommend:

• Daypack (around a 30-40L backpack)

• Helmet - helmet carry system

• Ski goggles (two pairs recommended)

• Gloves x 2 - a thick warm pair for descending and a lighter pair for skinning

• Warm hat, toque, beanie

• Powder/sun hat - good for skinning when it’s Japowing & for the sun.

• Winter storm shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)

• Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)

• Down jacket

• Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks

• A couple of buffs - lots of cold snow in the face in Japan

• Repairs & spares kit (for own model of A/T bindings) Japan has little repair options for most bindings

• Headlamp, it's good to bring a headlamp in your pack in case we have an issue, for example, a broken binding later in the day.

• Insulated water bottle or regular water bottle (No Camelback or other hydration systems, they will freeze)

• A Thermos for a warm beverage

• Small personal first aid kit - I carry a larger guide first aid kit

• Sunscreen

Other items specific to Japan

• Pack warm touring clothes - Hakuba and Myoko experience cold temperatures in January and February, often ranging from -9°C to -15°C (16°F to 5°F).

• Winter boots - it can be very snowy in town on the regular. Also, bring a pair of dinner boots; I bring Bloodstones that can handle a little snow but that are also comfortable in a restaurant.

It’s easy to overpack; most people end up wearing half or less of the street clothes they bring. Remember, this is primarily a guided ski trip, which means your days will revolve around touring, soaking in an onsen, and heading out for dinner, and that’s about it! *Packing light is also recommended for getting around on Japan’s public transit system.

Ski Touring Gear

We generally do not recommend renting ski touring equipment such as touring skis, bindings, or boots. Rental options are very limited, and the gear available is often outdated.

Split board Rentals

Snowboarders, on the other hand, are in luck; split board rentals are widely available throughout the area. These boards are specifically designed for powder, with wide noses, tapered tails, and bindings set back for optimal float. Most riders are pleasantly surprised by their performance in deep snow.‍

Avalanche Safety Gear

You can also rent full avalanche safety kits from a number of local shops. These typically include:

• Avalanche airbag backpack

• Transceiver

• Shovel

• Probe

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I'm happy to recommend trusted rental shops in Hakuba where you can find this equipment. Once you’ve chosen a store, you’ll need to make your booking directly through their online system.