Freeride and ski touring in Hokkaido

There are so many wonderful ski spots in Hokkaido, Japan! And a certified mountain guide from the Azimut Montagne team will take you to them in this varied 9-day ski trip.

Daisetsuzan

9 Days

Jan, Feb

Description

Do you want to find powder, lots of it? Then join me on this freeride ski trip in Hokkaido, Japan, touring around the island to go to the best spots! I designed this unusual trip in the country of the rising sun.

Snow of a quality and quantity that you have never seen before! We ski in the forests, so dense that we feel we are alone. We also ski at very low altitudes, near the sea, in unique landscapes.

During lunch, we can enjoy delicious noodle soup in the local restaurants. I chose to be based around Furano and Niseko, the local Chamonix. The accommodations are very comfortable, and the location allow us to also enjoy the evenings. But before the after-ski and dinner, we go to the onsen for some relaxation.

Some of the highlights of this trip in Japan are:
– a good skiing rhythm, we are not here to relax!
– discovering the best freeride spots in Hokkaido
– days with incredible runs in beautiful forests
– quality accommodation
– comfortable minibus transfers during the whole trip

Do you find this trip interesting? Then please contact me, you can join one of the planned trips, but we can also set new dates for your group!

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Transport during the trip
Mountain guide expenses

Itinerary

Day 1: Furano

Arrival at the Sapporo airport (New Chitose). Transfer by minibus to Furano. Overnight in the area.

Day 2 to 4: Furano, Kamui, Asahikawa, Asahidake

Breakfast and departure to one of the surrounding areas: Furano, Kamui, Asahikawa, Asahidake, depending on the conditions. Skiing during the whole day with some short ascents with skins. Overnight in Furano area. Possibility of onsen.

Day 5: Teine

Breakfast and transfer South. We stop at the Teine station, which has great couloirs and incredible views over the sea. Late in the afternoon, transfer to Niseko. Hotel in the city center. Possibility of onsen.

Day 6: Niseko

Breakfaste. Freeride ski in Niseko. Overnight in Niseko. Possibility of onsen and/or party.

Day 7: Rusutsu

Breakfast. Departure to the Rusutsu station for freeride ski. Overnight in Niseko. Possibility of onsen and/or party.

Day 8: Niseko

Breakfast. Freeride ski in Niseko. Overnight in Chitose to be near the airport.

Day 9: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to the airport.

Details

More info

Group size: 6 to 8 people.

Breakfast is included. I can loan you technical equipment (AVD, shovel and probe).

Technical level: For good skiers in all snow. We have a good rhythm during the ski days. There may be some short steep passages. It's possible to make short ascents on skins (no more than 45 min per day and you don't need to have ski touring experience). To carry: a light bag with what you need for the day.

Calculate around 250€ for the lifts for the 7 days, which are not included in the price. I recommend you to have cancellation insurance. Search and repatriation insurance is mandatory. I propose you to hire insurance through Europ Assistance upon booking the trip with me.

Meeting point

Sapporo domestic airport, arrival hall.

About the guide

Azimut

4.2

(15)

Mountain Guide

We enjoy very much discovering and rediscovering the most beautiful spots in the world, in the Ecrins mountain range but also all around the planet.

Together with the guides in the team, we will share with you unique moments and an amazing journey. From les Ecrins to Chile, from Morocco to Greenland, from Les Gorges du Verdon to Japan, from Italy to Norway… tons of destinations offering all types of mountain activities, different every season. It makes us so happy when I can share them with my friends and clients.

Languages

French | English

Request more information

What people are saying about Azimut

Thierry

Awesome experience, knocked another item from my bucket list.

Yogesh

Well organised trip with excellent guides and admin support Highly recommend 😊

jozsef

The Guide did not even know I'am on splitboard. Everyone else was on skis, I was the only one on board. Guide has no experience on board, so the daily trips was designed for skiers, not borders. I would like to know which company is responsible putting me in a ski group, Azimut or Explore-Share? If you don't know the difference between what is doable with skis and splitboards, you would not sell trips for splitboarders! In the only day I could enjoy somehow, I did very hard time to stay on my feet on icy steeps, because I should have had a crampon, but I did not have it, because the list of necessary equipment does not mention it. All the skiers had one. The guide anyway did what he could to help me, all the respect for Rafael. But the whole trip was a fuckup for me that way. I really want to know who is responsible!?

Yelena

the trip did not correspond program description which forced me to leave on the second day, with huge financial losses. the guide checked and confirmed ny capabilities to ski - indeed after it was failed off road asked me to make a decission to give up. When I asked the agency to organize a transfer at least back to the meeting point (from the middle of nowhere) they pretended they can't do it (indeed, it was included to the program...) the worst every trip in my life. And explore and share instead of any invistigation simply did not care.

Raphael

Had a great trip. Unfortunately the guide was not fluent in English as written in the description. That is something that could lead to a very tricky situation if there would‘ve been a dangerous situation. The selection of the group by azimut was not the best as at least one person was physically not capable of doing this trip. However, the service by explore-share was great!