Hokkaido Backcountry Tour
Powder Skiing & Splitboarding In Japan
Welcome to PowderQuest’s Guided Hokkaido Backcountry Tour, a powder-focused ski touring and splitboarding adventure in northern Japan. Renowned for its consistent snowfall, Hokkaido receives some of the deepest and lightest powder on earth, making it one of the world’s premier destinations for backcountry skiing. Designed for advanced to expert skiers and splitboarders, this guided Japan ski touring trip combines exceptional powder hunting with authentic cultural experiences both on and off the mountain.
Our journey is based from two strategic locations: the historic port city of Otaru and the mountain town of Furano. This unique itinerary provides access to a diverse range of terrain and snow climates across the island, allowing us to maximize conditions throughout the trip.
With backcountry touring access from eight ski resorts across Hokkaido, we use the lifts purely to gain elevation before heading out of bounds for a full day of skinning and touring—this is deep-in backcountry, not lift-lap sidecountry. Led by PowderQuest’s team of certified ACMG and IFMGA guides, each day is planned around overnight snowfall, weather patterns, and current snow conditions. Rather than returning to the same terrain day after day, our flexible approach allows us to move between multiple backcountry zones in search of the best powder available.
The result is a true Hokkaido backcountry skiing experience focused on what matters most: deep snow, quality terrain, small groups, professional guiding, and the freedom to chase powder wherever conditions are best.
Trip Highlights
- Two guides on every trip — led by a certified IFMGA/ACMG Ski Guide, supported by a fluent Japanese-speaking assistant guide who skis with the group, helps manage pacing and group flow on the mountain, and deeply enhances the overall cultural experience.
- Only 6 guests per trip allows us to move more efficiently in the mountains, equalling more Hokkaido powder for you
- A week of powder chasing with an open itinerary around the ski resort secret spots and backcountry of Kiroro, Teine, Sapporo Kokusai, Furano, Tomamu, Kamui, and Asahidake
- Relax at our comfortable hotels enjoying the soothing hot spring baths known as ‘onsens’
- Refuel each evening with exquisite Japanese cuisine, locally crafted beers and sake at our ski guide’s favorite local restaurants – All included
Trip Highlights
Itinerary
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- Fly into Hokkaido's Chitose airport (CTS)
- Check into the Authent Hotel in Otaru, accessed via the airport train to Otaru
- 6:00pm group meet-and-greet
- Welcome dinner
- Group breakfast at the hotel
- Drive to our destination based on best conditions
- Ride the lifts up to gain elevation, then skin into the backcountry along your guide's perfectly set skin track
- When skiing Kiroro, we skip the flat terrain of the resort and head into the backcountry directly from the parking area
- Return to Otaru each afternoon
- Wander the town's culturally rich streets and famous canal district
- Group dinners in town hosted by your guides
- Group breakfast
- More backcountry exploring with destination based around best conditions
- Drive through bustling Sapporo and beautiful snow covered, central Hokkaido
- Arrive in Furano
- Check-in to hotel
- Group dinner in select Furano restaurant
- Group breakfast
- 3 full days of backcountry powder exploring based around best conditions in Furano, Tomamu, Kamui, Ashahidake and more off-grid backcountry powder destinations
- Soak in muscle soothing onsens
- Group dinners, hosted by your guides in select Furano restaurants
- After breakfast at the hotel it's Sayonara (farewell) to the guides and new friends
- Head back to the airport or extend your stay in Japan
Is This Trip For Me?
You should be in good shape and confident in deep powder, trees, and varied terrain. Participants should be comfortable descending ungroomed advanced runs without hesitation. Snowboarders should be able to maintain speed on flats, hold a solid traverse line, and maneuver smoothly. Ideally, guests will have some ski touring or splitboarding experience, but if not, you should be fit enough to hike 10 km (6 miles) with a 10 kg (22 lb) pack as a gauge of your physical ability. We’ll use ski lifts to gain elevation, with daily touring of 500–1,000 meters (1,600–3,300 feet) spread over multiple short uptrack climbs. Some days may offer the option to return to the resort early and ski on your own at a more relaxed pace. If you are unsure if this is a good fit, please contact us before booking. Read more on required ability levels and what to expect
Trip Essentials
- 2 full-time, certified, PowderQuest backcountry guides
- private 4x4 van
- lift tickets
- comfortable lodging with private bath. (Rooms in Japan are often smaller compared to North American lodging.)
- daily breakfast
- all dinners, hosted by your guides at select restaurants in Otaru and Furano
- local beer and sake at dinner
- arrival and departure to Otaru/from Furano. See FAQs tab for details.
- travel insurance
- lunches
View or download the packing list
FAQs:
- Is this "sidecountry"? What does backcountry touring with lift access actually mean? No, this is true backcountry touring, and the difference matters. Sidecountry (or "slackcountry") usually means riding a lift up and skiing out of bounds back toward the resort, with little to no climbing. On our trips, the lift does one thing: it saves you the long, low-elevation approach and drops you up high so the real touring can start sooner. From there you'll skin, climb, and earn your descents under your own power—expect 500–1,000m (1,500′–3,000′) of climbing on a typical day. Ski touring or splitboard gear and the fitness to match are required. In short: the lift buys you time and terrain; the turns are still yours to earn.
- What will a typical day look like while we are skiing? We use ski lifts for vertical gain, then ski tour and splitboard to explore the backcountry for most of the day. While the ski resorts provide easy access to the mountains, this trip is focused on backcountry skiing and riding rather than resort or sidecountry laps. On occasion, conditions may allow for a few quality inbounds powder runs as we move through the day, but our primary goal is always to maximize time in the backcountry. Each day, our guides use the lifts as a starting point to access larger and more remote terrain. One of the advantages of this format is flexibility. If weather, visibility, or mountain conditions temporarily limit access to the backcountry, we can still enjoy excellent skiing within the resort as a backup plan while waiting for conditions to improve.
- When is the best time to come for good snow? All trip dates are scheduled during the highest chance of experiencing deep Japanese powder. January and February are the 2 prime months to visit.
- What skis / snowboard should I bring? Skis with a waist width of 105-120mm + touring bindings + synthetic skins cut for your skis. Snowboarders need to bring splitboard + touring bindings + synthetic skins cut for your board. See packing list for all gear requirements.
- Is there Wi-Fi in the lodge? Yes, all the hotels offer reliable Wi-Fi so you can stay connected.
- Where are the other guests from and what is their ski level? Guests join us from around the world, mostly from North America, Europe, and Australia. Expect a mix of advanced to expert skiers and riders who are comfortable on varied terrain and up for the daily touring adventures as described in the Is This Trip For Me section on this page.
- How much currency should I bring for extras like lunch etc.? While most of your expenses are covered, plan on around USD $15–$25 per day for lunches and snacks. Credit cards are accepted in some places, but having some Japanese Yen in cash is handy for smaller stops.
- How do I get to Otaru to start the trip? Fly to Chitose airport (CTS) in Hokkaido. Most flights to CTS are via Tokyo on a domestic connection or internationally via Hong Kong. From CTS, take the airport train direct to Otaru Station. Our hotel is a 3 minute taxi ride from Otaru Station or a short 10 minute walk. In addition to the train, there are private shuttle services available. Contact us for info.
- How to I get back to the airport when the trip ends in Furano? For the best selection of ground transfer options back to the CTS airport from Furano, please schedule return flights out of CTS after 12:00pm (for domestic) or 1:00pm (international). If you need to depart earlier just let us know and we can help you arrange an earlier taxi from our hotel.
Accommodations
Otaru
We have a selection of comfortable 4-star hotels all within walking distance to the city’s famous Otaru Canal, shopping district and the Otaru City Art Museum. All rooms come with a private bathroom. Hotels offer spas to unwind after skiing along with varying styles of massages available.
Furano
We hand-picked comfortable, 4-star Furano Hotels. All hotels feature similar décor and amenities; comfortable bedding, private bathrooms, Japanese onsen bath, and social areas to relax and get to know your group. Rooms are shared, twin-bed set-ups. Larger double beds for couples or single room upgrades are available.
Book Trip Now
Expert guiding. Small groups. Deep Hokkaido powder.
Pricing Details: (in USD)
- $5595 per person, shared twin room with private bath
- Solo travelers are comfortably paired with another guest of the same gender whenever possible
- Optional private room: $1095 (limited availability)
- Deposit: 25% to confirm your reservation
- Final balance due 90 days prior to departure
Questions? Call us at 1-307-213-9094 or contact us via email.