Details
Trip Duration
9 days
Mountain Range
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People per Guide
1 person
Trip Level
Intermediate
Offer Period
Jan, Feb
Type of Trip
Private
Experience one of the best powder skiing in the world. This tour from Niseko to Asahidake takes place in Hokkaido, Japan.
It is a unique opportunity for you to experience something different. In terms of skiing (ski touring and freeride skiing) but also in terms of cultural learnings.
Different options are possible in Hokkaido. I usually try to bring my clients where the snow is the best, based on what they like to do. Some prefer going down a lot, others like to have a mix between up- and downhill skiing.
We move between Niseko, Furano and Asahidake, from the deepest to the finest powder skiing area.
One of my objectives during this trip is also to show you the Japanese culture and traditions. We stay in Japanese Ryokan with tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where you may wear yukata. We will enjoy good food and relax in the onsen (hot springs) after good days of skiing.
Skiing in Hokkaido is particularly well known for the cold and dry powder. It usually snows here between 10 and 18 meters every year. This is due to the cold winds coming from Siberia. They pass above the Japanese sea and then unload huge amounts of snow on the island.
Being local, I know very well the right spots where the snow is the best and where few people go.
You’ll find below a typical program I propose.It can of course be adapted based on your wishes, the weather / snow conditions and the time you have here in Japan. I think it’s also a good opportunity for you to visit Tokyo and maybe some other cities, in Honshu or Hokkaido while you are here.
Beware of non-certified mountain guides. Most of the guides in Niseko don’t have certification! You must have a UIAGM/IFMGA or JMGA certified guide, as for example myself or my colleague Jun.
Get in touch with me if you want to experience such a great skiing adventure.
Price per person
Price includes
- Guiding fee
What happens if I need to cancel the trip?
If you decide to cancel, you’ll get a 100% refund (minus fees) if the cancellation is notified up to 60 days before the start of the tour, a 75% refund (minus fees) if you cancel between 59 and 30 days before the start of the tour, and a 50% refund if you cancel between 29 and 21 days before the start of the tour. If you cancel less than 21 days before the first day of the tour, you won’t receive a refund.Take into account, however, that if accommodation, flights or transfers were included in the trip you booked, then a different policy may apply as the guide will be bound by the provider’s cancellation policy.
What happens if the guide cancels the trip because of bad weather/unsuitable conditions?
If bad weather or unsuitable conditions force the guide to cancel the trip, he or she will: a) propose a similar activity at a different place where conditions are better, or b) propose to postpone the activity until a later date, or c) cancel. If you refuse option a), our cancellation policy will apply. Please note, however, that the call to cancel a trip due to bad weather can only be made by the guide (not the client).
What happens if the guide doesn’t show up or cancels for personal reasons?
If the guide cancels for reason of injury or other, you will get a 100% refund on your trip.
Itinerary
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Day 1:
Niseko
Pick up at Sapporo/Chitose airport and drive to Niseko, stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan with hot springs (Onsen).
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Day 2:
Niseko
Powder skiing and ski touring at Niseko resort and surroundings.
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Day 3:
Yotei-san
Ski touring on Yotei-san (the Hokkaido’s Mt. Fuji). If we are lucky we will enjoy a non stop 1500 m powder skiing from the top of Yotai-san to the bottom.
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Day 4:
Sapporo
Niseko backcountry and move to Sapporo. Night in Sapporo or Otaru with diner in nice sushi restaurant.
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Day 5:
Asahikawa
Moving day to Asahikawa ski resort, on the way we stop for a half-day ski touring, we will then stay in an onsen hotel in Asahikawa.
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Day 6:
Asahidake
Skiing on the highest mountain of Hokkaido, Asahidake. We will try to reach the summit. Night in Asahikawa.
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Day 7:
Furano-dake
Dry powder skiing day at Furano-dake (back country). Night in Asahikawa in the onsen hotel.
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Day 8:
Sapporo
Asahikawa back country & move to Sapporo. Night in Sapporo
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Day 9:
Return
Drive to Shin-chitose airport.
Other details
In Japanese Ryokan with tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where you may wear yukata.
Please contact me to get more information about what is included in the price.
Equipment: renting ski equipment in Japan is not easy but I can try to do it for you. I will need you to give me the model and the size of the DYNASTAR boots that fit your feet. Please let me know also your size (for the skis). Here are the renting prices:
- Avalanche security set (beacon, shovel, probe) = 15,000JPY/week
- Boots = around 15,000JPY/week.
- Skis, poles and skin = 28,000JPY/week
About the Guide
I'm one of the few UIAGM / IFMGA certified mountain guides in Hokkaido (the largest island of Japan located in the north). I was born in Nagano (Honshu), I'm now based in Sapporo since 10 years. I have traveled around the world guiding my friends and clients, from Asia to Europe, North America, South America to Africa. I will be very happy to guide you in Hokkaido and let you discover one of the best powder skiing in the world! Get in touch with me and let's start planning.
