Japan Ski Touring 2024

Types: Expeditions, International, Ski and Snowboarding, Touring

Region: International

Japan Ski Touring 2024

You’ve seen it in the movies, in friends FB videos and photos: Japan’s legendary cold smoke powder!

Next Course:
Leaving Jan 19 2024 from $3,299.00

Japan Ski Touring 2024

Our 2024 Japan Ski Touring trips include a foray into the Japanese Alps around the lesser known area of Tenjin, a trip to the lesser known Aomori Springs area combined with the popular Niseko zone and lastly a trip to central Hokkaido to explore more amazing powder, natural hot springs and smoking volcanos. Each week is set-up to run as a stand-alone trip but if you wanted to join for more that one just let us know!

This year we're starting in the more southern area near Hakuba in the small town of Minakami for what we're calling our Tenjin trip. From there we move further north on the main island of Honshu for a few days before jumping over to the popular Niseko zone in southern Hokkaido for week 2. Then, for week 3, we'll continue to head north into central Hokkaido to ski the areas in and around Asahidake National Park.

Trip 1 - 8 Day Tenjin Tour:

Home based will be the small town Minakami, found a few hours north of Tokyo by train, at Micasa, a cozy family owned hotel. From there we’ll make forays into the local mountains using the various ski lifts to gain access to some amazing backcountry ski runs through picturesque Japanese forests. We allways spend a few days at the Tenjin Ski Resort as it offers some amazingly long ski runs that are easy to access but Kagura Snow Resorts is also a must do with great micro-brew beer vending machines and the "Dragondola", oh and it has some great storm skiing as well!

Trip 2 - 10 Day Aomori Springs & Niseko Tour:

About as far north as you can get on the main island of Honshu is Aomori city, the snowiest inhabited city earth! We'll be based out of Aomori Springs on the northern slopes of the Mt. Iwaki. Hokkaido type powder combined with some steep tree skiing make this volcano an amazing zone to explore. The latter half of the trip will find us in the Niseko area. Volcanoes coated in world renown "Japow" will await us there along with steaming onsens (hot springs) and seafood that's about as fresh as it gets.

Trip 3 - 8 Day Central Hokkaido Tour:

We’ll hit the inland powder highway on Hokkaido for some amazing skiing, beautiful natural onsen pools and of course some great food. With stops at various locations including Asahidake for a few days with fingers crossed for a bluebird summit day. The Hakuginso zone skiing peaks such as Tokachidake, Maetokachidake and Furanodake. And, depending on weather, a stop at Furano or Kamui for some storm skiing or Tomamu for some amazing backcountry. This package will get you a well rounded look at what the less-touristy areas of Hokkaido have to offer.

Sign up for any week depending on your preference – a bit steeper (Tenjin), a bit deeper (Hokkaido) or something different (Aomori Springs). Or better yet, join us for couple of weeks! But be warned, these areas get a massive amount of snowfall. Additional details can be found in the Itinerary tab.

The Scene:

Now half the fun of a Japan ski touring holiday is checking out the local culture and of course the local food. Japanese apres ski culture always involves a long soak in an Onsen, a traditional natural hot spring, to ease tired muscles. That is followed by an amazing meal. Sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, omo-rice and more might not mean much to you now, but they’ll soon become favorites!

Japan Ski TouringOf course no foreign vacation is complete without sampling some of the local beer and spirits! Not to worry, Japan’s famous for its amazing Scotch and Sake, but of course it also has a booming craft brewery scene that begs to be sampled as well. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Foodie, fine beverage connoisseur or an avid skier just looking for some filling food at the end of a big day you will be more than happy with the local offerings.

Waiver & Risk Management:

As you know, outdoor activities involve numerous hazards including, but not limited to, avalanches, crevasses, rockfall, slips and falls, equipment failure, poor weather, etc. And while we do our best to anticipate and mitigate these hazards we cannot completely eliminate them. So, as with anything fun, you will be required to sign our Participant Release to take part in one of our courses or trips.

Custom Dates Available

Just let us know what dates will work for you and we will put together a custom package.

January 19th to 26th, 2024

Deposit Required: $1,000.00

Sold Out
Group Size0 persons
Pricing
Quantity: $3,399.00

January 26th to February 4th, 2024

Deposit Required: $1,000.00

Sold Out
Group Size4 persons
Pricing
Quantity: $3,699.00

February 4th to 11th, 2024

Deposit Required: $1,000.00

Sold Out
Group Size0 persons
Pricing
Quantity: $3,399.00

Booking Notes:

Schedule for 2024:

  • January 19 to 26: Tenjin ($3,399)
  • January 26 to February 4: Aomori/Niseko ($3,699)
  • February 4 to 11: Hokkaido: Asahidake/Furano ($3,399)
  • Prices in USD

Fine Print:

  • A $1000 USD deposit is required to secure a booking.
  • The final payment due 90 days prior to the trip.
  • Trips may be subject to 5% GST.
  • Room upgrades are subject to an additional fee.
  • Prices are based on double occupancy.
  • We highly recommend Travel & Medical insurance.
  • Participants will be required to sign a BlackSheep Participant Release

Trip 1: Tenjin (January 19-26, 2024)

  • Day 1: Meet in Tokyo and Travel to Minakami
  • Day 2-6: Ski the resorts & mountains around Minakami
  • Day 7: Ski a half day in the am before traveling back to Tokyo
  • Day 8: Departure Day, Party’s over it’s time to head home

Trip 2: Aomori – Niseko (January 26 to February 4, 2024):

  • Day 1: Fly to the Aomori Airport and then drive to Mt. Iwaki area
  • Day 2, 3 & 4: Ski the Mt. Iwaki volcano using the Aomori Springs Ski hill as a launching point
  • Day 5: Catch a flight from the Aomori airport to Sapporo and a hotel near the base of the famous Mt. Yotei
  • Day 6, 7 & 8: Ski tour around the Niseko zone on peaks like Yotei, Niseko-Annupuri & Shiribetsu
  • Day 9: Ski a half day in the am before traveling back to Sapporo
  • Day 10: Departure Day, Party’s over – or bump over to Tenjin and join us there

Trip 3: Central Hokkaido (February 4 -11, 2024):

  • Day 1: Arrive at the Asahikawa airport and drive to Asahidake
  • Day 2 & 3: Ski the amazing volcano at Asahidake ropeway
  • Day 4 & 5: Ski Furano Ski Hill, tour around Hakuginso
  • Day 6: Explore the slackcountry off Kamui Ski Links
  • Day 7: Ski a half day in the am before traveling back to Asahikawa for a flight to Tokyo
  • Day 7: Departure Day
Japan Ski Touring 2024

Highlights

  • Great Snow
  • Amazing Food
  • Lot of Natural Hot Springs (Onsens)
Types Expeditions, International, Ski and Snowboarding, Touring
Region International
Season January - February
Next Departure Jan 19 2024
Prices From $3,299.00

Difficulty: Difficulty: Intermediate Intermediate

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced skiers or split boarders.

What's Included

  • ACMG/IFMGA Certified Guides
  • Ground Transportation in Van
  • Accommodation outside of Tokyo
  • Hotel Breakfasts and some hotel dinners
  • Black Sheep Adventure Sports Swag

What's Not Included

  • Flights to/from or within Japan
  • Train travel to/from Tenjin
  • Personal ski & safety equipment
  • Lunches (we will make sure you have the opportunity to buy something)
  • Meals outside of the lodges
  • Lodging in Tokyo
  • Travel & Medical insurance

Prerequisites

Some ski touring or splitboarding experience

Ski & Snowboard Equipment:

  • Touring Skis or Split Board
  • Touring boots
  • Poles
  • Skins – cut and fit prior to the trip
  • Ski crampons

Snow Safety Equipment:

  • Helmet (optional)
  • 3-Antenna Digital Transceiver
  • Shovel & Probe

Backcountry Gear:

  • Ski pack
  • Sunglasses & goggles
  • Sunscreen & lip balm
  • Head lamp with spare batteries
  • Ski strap
  • Water bottle and/or thermos (1L-2L)
  • Lunch bag

Skiing/Boarding Clothing:

  • Wool or Synthetic Ski Socks (at least 2 pair)
  • Wool or Synthetic Base Layers
  • Light Jacket
  • Gore-Tex or similar Jacket & Pants
  • Warm Outer Jacket – Down or synthetic
  • Toque – Wool or Synthetic
  • Brimmed Cap
  • Face Warmer
  • Light Gloves
  • Insulated Gloves or Mitts

Other Clothing:

  • Casual “Going Out” cloths
  • “Going Out” boots
  • Slippers
  • Bathing suit
  • Sleeping cloths

Personal:

  • Medications
  • Blister kit if prone to blisters
  • Toiletry bag

Luggage:

  • Boot bag (may be part of ski/snowboard bag)
  • Ski or snowboard bag (preferably on wheels)
  • Carry-on bag
  • Tag everything!

Electronics:

  • Mobile phone with charger & headphones
  • Camera (optional)
  • Spare batteries or portable power pack
  • Spare memory cards as needed
  • Electrical adapter

Travel Bag Contents:

  • Spare credit card
  • Passport & Wallet
  • Travel insurance info
  • Itinerary & flight info
  • Eye shades & small pillow
  • Ear plugs
  • Small toiletry bag
  • Entertainment (book, etc.)

Things to do Before Leaving:

  • Organize travel insurance and medical insurance
  • Make sure passport is valid for at least 6 months
  • Email itinerary to yourself in case you lose it (also send me a copy monte@blacksheepadventure.ca)
  • BlackSheep Merino Wool Toque (Beanie) $35.00

Activities and Add-Ons for this Course

BlackSheep Merino Wool Toque (Beanie)

A beautiful fleece lined merino wool toque. They come in black and grey though colours are subject to availability.

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