Hokkaido Backcountry Tour: Ski Touring + Splitboarding Japan
Welcome to PowderQuest’s guided 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 certified ACMG/AAGM/AMGA guides. Each day’s itinerary is flexible to ski the best destination based on overnight snowfall and conditions. After all, we are here for the legendary Hokkaido powder!
Trip Highlights
- 2 PowderQuest guides get you to fresh tracks and Hokkaido’s local culture while hosting dinners each evening with the help of our Japanese speaking guide
- 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
- Extend your dream trip in Japan with assistance from our local travel agency
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 resort based on best conditions
- Find the best snow on the mountain: off piste, sidecountry and backcountry
- 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 and off-piste exploring with destination based around best conditions
- Drive through bustling Sapporo and beautiful central Hokkaido
- Arrive in Furano
- Check-in to hotel
- Group dinner in select Furano restaurant
- Group breakfast
- 3 full days of backcountry and off-piste exploring based around best conditions in Furano, Tomamu, Kamui, Ashahidake and more off-grid 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 with help from our local agency
Is This Trip For Me?
This off-piste and backcountry tour in Hokkaido is designed for advanced to expert skiers and snowboarders with extensive experience in deep powder and trees. You are willing and able to earn their turns, even if you’ve never backcountry toured before. You need to be in good physical shape and keen on adventure away from the ski resorts. Expect deep dry snow, tight trees and uphill skinning to access the best backcountry terrain once we depart the ski resort lifts and boundaries. With the exception of Furano ski resort, minutes from our hotel, this trip does involve daily drives of 30-60 minutes to different ski areas, destination depending. More on ability levels
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
- beer and sake at dinner
- arrival and departure to Otaru/from Furano (see logistics tab for details)
- required travel insurance
- lunches
View or download the packing list
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 guided. Almost all inclusive. Deep Hokkaido powder awaits. Reserve a spot today.
Pricing Details at a Glance: (in USD)
- $4499 per person, based on twin or double share occupancy, private bath
- Solo Travelers: Will be paired with another same gender guest in a twin share room
- Privacy Please: Single rooms available for a $895 upgrade
- Payment: A 25% deposit plus any costs for optional extras is required at time of reservation. Final payments 90 days before trip departure.