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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.
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!
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. |
Disclaimer In case of bad weather / conditions (including road conditions), the trip itinerary may be altered and/or date change can be discussed. Riding on the guide’s car is considered as ride sharing and thus will only covered under normal car insurance. The guide’s responsibility and liability is only applicable from the departure from the start of the approach path until our return to the same point. All participants must have individual insurance which specifically covers ice climbing. For any injuries in the mountains, the guide will not be liable and will need to be paid by your own means. Cancellation Policy: I can ask for a payment of Cancellation Fees (CF) in case of last minute cancellations as per below: For cancellation between 30-60 days prior to the trip date – CF is 50% of Trip Price For cancellation between 7-30 days prior to the trip date – CF is70% of Trip Price For cancellation up to 7 days prior to the trip date – CF is 100% of Trip Price Please keep in mind that if you haven't got the required fitness or skill level, the guide may ask you to leave to preserve the group's safety. Always make sure to check with your guide beforehand regarding the trip level and requirements. |
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. -Please let me know which equipment you will need to rent. In case you need to rent skis, you should send me photos of your boots so I can learn about the brand / model / boot size. |
Photos
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).
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!
What people are saying about this trip
Benoit
5.00
January 2017
Prices per person
Group of 1 | JPY 405000 each |
Group of 2 | JPY 202500 each |
Group of 3 | JPY 200000 each |
Want a different number of travellers?
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Mountain guide's expenses (lifts, meals, accommodation, etc)
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
We have been five days on Hokkaido in December and January 2017 for backcountry skiing. It was our first time in Japan for skiing. Our guide was the experienced Takao Miyashita. Takao is a wonderful mountain guide born on Hokkaido with a lot of know-how in Himalaya, European Alps and, of course, Japan. The program was perfect and Takao have adapted it following our strengths, weakness, weather and desires. Security and training ships were perfect. Even in bad weather conditions, we were very secure and everything was suitable for what we want. The snow was great in comparison with Europe and the landscape was very beautiful. Organisation, transport, food and accommodation were also superb. A wonderful trip ! I highly recommend Takao Miyashita !