Backcountry skiing tour in Hakuba’s big mountains

Yu Takeo, a JMGA mountain guide, takes you on a ski touring trip to the big mountains of Hakuba. You need to have good fitness and ski/snowboard level, but it's worth the challenge!

Japan Alps

+1 Day

Mar - May

High

Intermediate

Description

In the Hakuba region, you'll find the impressive alpine mountain range of the North Japan Alps. Come with me for some ski touring there!

The beauty of this area is that you can easily reach some of its beautiful peaks and enjoy a ski or snowboard descent in just 1 day!

I can pick you up at your hotel at 7:00 a.m. By taking the lifts of Omachi, Hakuba, Otari and Itoigawa areas (and sometimes even starting from the valley!), we can access peaks such as Mt Shiratake (2,541m), Mt Ootomi (2,106m), Mt Karamatsu (2,696m) and Mt Korenge (2,766m).

I'll choose the best destinations according to the weather and snow conditions. In case of bad weather, the itinerary will be changed to a regularly 1 day backcountry tour.

The altitude in this region varies from 700 m to 3000 m. We can enjoy powder snow until the end of March, by selecting the right terrains and faces.

For this tour, you'll need to hike up for long hours (5hrs or so) in a day, so you must have a strong fitness level.

Besides, you should have very good skiing / snowboarding skills, being able to ski on advanced slopes. Some previous backcountry/ski touring experience with hike ups in skins/snowshoes it's important too.

We'll be back to Hakuba around 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

I believe this trip would be a great opportunity to feel the power of nature, and explore the high mountains of the North Japan Alps away from the crowds,.

Are you ready for this especial ski/snowboarding experience? Contact me so we can start planning this adventure in the Hakuba mountains together!

If you are looking for other ski trips in this area, you should consider this 1-day backcountry ski tour in in Mt Norikura.

Price includes

Guiding fee

Price details

Rental items and Fees (to be paid on the spot): Beacon, Backpack, Snowshoes JPY1,000/each, Probe, Shovel, Poles : JPY500/each, Full set of the above: JPY3,500 : Poles are not for the skiers. Lift fee will be approximately JPY1,0002,000 per person on site, when we will use it. And, please split the transportation cost among the participants, when you take taxi after descending the mountain.

Details

More info

There might be a photographer joining the group. Even if a photographer doesn't join the tour, I will be taking photos of the trip. You can purchase those tour photos at the end, which costs JPY 5,000 per person for all data and JPY 700 if you only want one piece of photo data.

Kit List: -Ski gears (skis, split boards, snowboards) -Skins, snowshoes -Ski or snowboard boots -Crampon (with more than 10 points) -Sunglasses -Goggles -Gloves -Ski wear / clothing -Avalanche safety gears (beacon, probe, shovel)

Meeting point

Pick up from your hotel in Hakuba (TBD)

About the guide

Yu

4.5

(2)

Mountain Guide

I am a backcountry ski guide with JMGA hiking level 2 and ski / snowboard guide level 2 certifications, based in Hakuba.
I was born in Aichi prefecture in Japan and started snowboarding in my early teens. Before I knew it, I was snowboarding everyday in the winter and in my final year of high school, I moved to Iwate prefecture in Tohoku (northern tip of Honshu, known for big snow falls) to freeride everyday. I became a professional snowboarder, and since 2002, I have been a ski / snowboard guide based in Hakuba.

I wanted to share the experience and fun I have had in the mountains with many other people in a safe manner with the right education and so I started my own backcountry guide company in 2012.

Myself and all the other guides at my guide company are on splitboards and so we welcome snowboarders and skiers alike. Given my snowboarding background, I know how difficult it could be for a snowboarder to follow a skier's line!!

I'm also trained and certified by Japan Avalanche Network and Wilderness First Aid, and am a member of Japan Emergency Rescue Team.

When I'm unavailable the guides at my guide company that I trust, with sufficient Avalanche training, Wilderness First Aid as well as much guiding experience at my guide company (some with JMGA certification as well) will be able to guide you.

Please contact me if you're in Hakuba and want to explore the backcountry of the beautiful North Japan Alps, away from the ski resorts!!

Languages

Japanese | English

Certificates

JMGA

Request more information

What people are saying about Yu

Jonathan

My guide kenji was amazing! He picked me up from the hotel and provided whatever rental gear I needed. Kenji and I talked about snowboard movies, Japan, life, and he even gave me recommendations for Hakuba and Tokyo. I would highly recommend Yu, Bamboo tail guide company, and kenji.

Dominik

Great tour in the beautiful mountains of Hakuba with waist deep powder! Sick riding!!