Hokkaido Backcountry Tour
Powder Skiing & Splitboarding In Japan
Welcome to PowderQuest’s guided lift assisted Hokkaido Backcountry Tour. A paradise for ski touring and splitboarding in Japan. Hokkaido is home to the planet’s greatest snow machine. A confluence of climatic conditions produces prodigious, almost daily powder dumps – legend in the backcountry skiing world. The best Hokkaido ski tour for advanced to expert powder hounds takes you deep into this magical powder wonderland, and also allows you to fully experience Japan’s rich culture. This backcountry focused ski trip is based out of two strategic destinations; the historical seaport city Otaru, and the farming town of Furano. With access to 8 Hokkaido ski resorts, we combine off-piste powder laps with backcountry touring and splitboarding lead by PowderQuest’s team of certified ACMG and IFMGA guides. Each day’s itinerary is flexible to ski the best backcountry destination based on overnight snowfall and conditions. After all, we are here for the legendary Hokkaido powder!
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
Click on the + for more details
- 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
- A few powder warm up laps before heading into the backcountry with assistance from the lifts and our guides skin track
- When skiing Kiroro, we skip the flat terrain of the resort and head into the backcountry directly from the road
- 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:
- 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.