Best ski touring in Hokkaido, 7 days
Explore the best ski areas near Sapporo, Otaru and Niseko in this 7-day backcountry ski tour in Hokkaido, together with an IFMGA mountain guide.
Not specified
7 Days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Description
Are you looking for powder and deep snow in Hokkaido? Then join me for a 7-day backcountry ski tour in the best spots of this Japanese Island!
I can take you to some of the main ski areas in Hokkaido: near Sapporo, Otaru (for example, the ski resort of Kiroro) and Niseko.
All of them offer a mix of lift accessed freeriding and backcountry skiing involving full hikes. There are different options for intermediate skiers and also for beginners.
I can pick you up at the airport and take you back there if you need to. Besides, I can help you renting some of the equipment. Below this description, you will find some details about this, as well as an itinerary of the trip.
All the activities in the itinerary can be customized according to your skills and wishes, and may change depending on the snow and weather conditions.
You will have to book your own accommodation. Here are some places I recommend:
In Sapporo:
Sapporo Grand Hotel. It is located very centrally and has direct access to the underground paths (connected also to JR Sapporo station), so you won’t freeze in the winter. It has been ranked no. 8 in Best Hotel served Breakfast in Japan for 2016. It has facilities such as spa and so on, and it’s the oldest hotel in Sapporo with 80 years of history.
Cross Hotel Sapporo. Stylish and modern hotel, and a little “arty”. The hotel bar plays live Jazz music and on the top floor there is an onsen where you can enjoy the night city view. Located centrally, 5 min walk from JR Sapporo station.
JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo: it is the highest tower hotel in Sapporo so you can have an amazing view of the city. There is a spa at the top and you can enjoy the night city view from the onsen there. It is located next to JR Sapporo station.
Near Kiroro:
Otaru Asarigawa Onsen: it is a traditional ryokan with onsen.
Furukawa in Otaru: very good traditional ryokan with onsen in the heart of the picturesque city of Otaru.
In Niseko:
Please contact me if you want to be a part of this backcountry ski tour in Hokkaido. I will make sure that you have an amazing experience!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Mountain guide expenses
Itinerary
Day 1: Sapporo
Arrive at Sapporo. We’ll meet and sort out rental equipments.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapporo.
Day 2: Sapporo Kokusai ski area
I will pick you up from the hotel and drive (1 hour) to Sapporo Kokusai ski area and go for a mini ski tour.
Accommodation: Ryokan in Kiroro.
Day 3: Kiroro Snow World
I will pick you up from your hotel, and drive to Kiroro Snow World for a day of guiding around piste and a mini ski tour.
Accommodation: Ryokan in Kiroro.
Day 4: Niseko
I will pick you up from your hotel, and drive to Niseko (2 hours). Ski in Niseko and possible to do a backcountry ski tour.
Accommodation in Niseko.
Day 5: Niseko
I will pick you up from your hotel, and head to a different ski area in Niseko. Possible to do a backcountry ski tour.
Accommodation in Niseko.
Day 6: Rusutsu / Sapporo
I will pick you up from your hotel, and drive to Rusutsu ski area (1 hour). We’ll ski there and drive back to Sapporo afterwards (2 hours).
Accommodation: hotel in Sapporo.
Day 7: Sapporo / Chitose Airport
I will pick you up from your hotel, and drive to Chitose Airport (1.5 hour).
Details
Accommodation Your own accommodation cost will depend on which grade you want and your budget.
It is better to book them very quickly as this is prime time and accommodations get quickly booked up.
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More info These items are not included in the price: -Rental costs, own accommodations, lift passes (guide’s lift pass expense should also be covered). Equipment:
-Bring your own gears like boots, skis, snowboards, snowshoes (if applicable), skins, poles, Avalanche Safety Gears (beacon, probe, shovel).
-Some of the items like Avalanche safety gears can be rented. |
About the guide
I am an experienced IFMGA mountain guide, born and raised in Hokkaido, Japan. I started skiing when I was 3 and started climbing when I was 6. My high school years were spent in ski competitions and I joined mountaineering club at University, where I developed my ski mountaineering skills. I have been a ski instructor for Miura Dolphins founded by Yuichiro Miura (first ski descent of the Everest “The Man Who Skied Down Everest” and the oldest Everest summiting record holder at 80 years old) and also supported Yuichiro's Aconcagua ascent and ski descent in 1984 as a part of his 7 summits ski descent challenge.
I was inspired by the works of mountain guides in Chamonix when I visited there in 1983, and decided to start guiding as a mountain guide in Japan in 1989 to share my passion and experiences in outdoors sports with other people, as well as to offer instruction to people enjoying the mountains to be better climbers / skiers. I have also contributed to the proper training of JMGA (Japan Mountain Guides Association) guides and the affiliation of it to IFMGA. I am responsible for the pioneering of the climbing and backcountry skiing scenes in Japan.
My main guiding arena is alpinism, whether it be mountaineering or ski mountaineering, mainly in Hokkaido. I usually take a small group of people (2-5) for Sawanobori (canyoning up waterfalls), alpine climbing, ice climbing, and ski touring in the more remote areas of Japan.
I enjoy finding the best experience for each client accordingly to their physical abilities, preferences, and weather/conditions. I guide because I like watching and feeling that people are enjoying and having fun, and see how this buzz infects other people through skiing and climbing. I find this invaluable as a mountain guide.
There is more to Hokkaido than skiing lift accessible powder in January and February. Please reach out to me to find your own customised way to enjoy Hokkaido’s mountains, natures and culture!
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