Our Hokkaido Powder Safari takes you to snowboard the best powder in Japan from two base areas; Niseko in the south-west and then Furano in central Hokkaido.
Back after an epic adventure last winter, join us for some of the best lift-accessed off-piste that Japan has to offer, riding some of the deepest powder on the planet. You will spend 10 days hunting out Japan’s legendary light & deep powder, chasing big winter storms around Hokkaido. Our itinerary will allow you to ride the best conditions each day in a diverse range of different ski resorts, including Niseko and many of the off-the-beaten-track resorts, where Japan’s best secret powder stashes lie.
Your trip will start with 5 nights in Niseko, Japan’s most famous ski resort. Niseko is known for its continuous snowfall and as such is every snowboarders dream, a huge powder playground! From a base in Niseko you will go on day trips to explore the resorts of Rusutsu and Kiroro. Rusutsu Resort has an incredible average annual snowfall of over 14 meters, which mainly falls as dreamy dry powder. The resort is relatively uncrowded and offers some of the best tree riding in Japan. Kiroro is a medium sized resort with fantastic uncrowded off piste and more abundant snow.
You will then head to Furano in central Hokkaido for 5 nights. Furano itself has plenty of off piste riding with quality powder, but is also a great base for day trips to some of the smaller, low key resorts. An hour away is the uncrowded resort of Kamui Ski Links, which has a huge amount of sidecountry areas that are easily accessible from the lifts. Your next stop will be to the powder paradise of Asahidake, which is essentially a backcountry resort serviced by a single cable car. Asahidake is the highest mountain in Hokkaido so the snow remains light and cold.
This is an advanced level trip where lifts are used to access the backcountry of each resort (although expect some hikes too) in search of fresh & deep Japanese powder! You are guaranteed to have a snowboarding trip of a lifetime on our Hokkaido Powder Safari!!!
Riding an active volcano. This is the ultimate backcountry adventure! Asahidake is an active volcano with impressive steam vents emerging from a unique, somewhat moon-like, landscape. The summit of Asahidake at 2291m can be reached with snowshoes, starting from the top of the cable car. Snowboarding back down through the fumaroles is probably the most surreal experience you will ever have on your snowboard. This trip is weather dependent. Read about our 2019 snowboard descent of Asahidake here.
Cat-boarding. Imagine shredding waist-deep, super dry Japanese powder, run after run, knowing that no one else is going to bomb it all out while you wait in line at the lifts. This is unquestionably the best way to snowboard the world famous Japanese powder in all its untracked glory!
10 guided days snowboarding, touring around different resorts of Hokkaido, Japan (11 nights)
6 to 1 client to guide ratio
Our snowboard camps are designed for solo-travellers and those joining in small groups.
With the vast majority joining as singles, our snowboard trips are the perfect way to meet like-minded people and expand your snowboard crew.
Enjoy a week progressing your snowboarding with expert tuition, learning in a small group with others of the same level… and by day 2 you will already have a bunch of new snowboard friends! If you have any concerns about booking a snowboard holiday alone, no need to worry, our office team is here to help make everything simple & easy.
The Hokkaido Powder Safari 2020 is suitable for strong intermediate to advanced level riders with previous off piste experience. This should include riding a variety of terrain and snow conditions, including tree runs and steeper slopes. You have a good level of fitness, enabling you to do continuous full days of riding as well as the ability to hike to reach good lines.
If you are interested in joining us in Japan but are not sure if it would suit you, please get in touch. We will ask you questions to check your snowboard level and experience and let you know if this course is suitable for you (and suggest alternatives if it is not).
Day 1 – Sunday 5th Jan – Arrival Sapporo Airport. Transfer to Mnk Nisseko Lodge, Niseko
Day 2 – Ride Niseko
Day 3 – Ride Annupuri
Day 4 – Ride Rusutsu
Day 5 – Ride Kiroro
Day 6 – Ride in Niseko. Drive to Furano after riding.
Day 7 – Ride Furano
Day 8 – Ride Kamui Links
Day 9 – Ride Asahidake
Day 10 – Ride Tomamu
Day 11 – Ride Furano. Drive to Sapporo airport hotel after riding
Day 12 – Departure from Sapporo Airport
The exact itinerary of this Japan snowboard tour remains flexible to allow for variations with the weather and snow conditions.
In Niseko you will be staying at the MnK Niseko Country Resort in a modern stand alone chalet. After big days of riding deep pow, you can ‘come home’ to your own relaxing chaletfurnished with modern creature comforts. There is an onsite restaurant and ‘in-chalet dining’ as well as being only a short taxi ride from the many restaurants and bars of Niseko town.
In Furano you will be staying at Pension Lavendar. This Japanese-style Bed & Breakfast inn provides fantastic homely & comfortable accommodation, a perfect place for relaxing after a day of charging powder! It is conveniently located just a 5 minute walk to the Kitanomine ski lifts. At this friendly, family-run pension you can look forward to fantastic home-made breakfasts.
At the end of your trip you will spend a night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chitose close to the airport before your departure the next day.
All accommodation is in twin shared rooms.
with UIAGM Mountain Guide, David Gladwin and BASI Snowboard Instructor, Tammy Esten
11 nights. Based on twin shared rooms
Including pick up from Sapporo airport on 5th January 2020
Breakfast is included for the 5 nights in Furano
Please scroll down. Prices are shown below
Signed up as a solo traveler for one of the snowboard camps running in December. Was such a good experience. All the instructors were very skilled and very patient, adapting for every member of the group. Great value and a great way to progress quickly over the week.
Linda
So happy with this weeks lessons. My son had a 2 hour group session every morning 9-11 Monday to Friday. He confidently accompanied his very proud daddy on Friday! Money well spent Thank you MINT! And his instructors Giulia and Anna x
Hollie
3 of us had a freestyle lesson, none of us could fault the service we received. From booking, running up to the lesson and during it was faultless. We will be returning next season, also be requesting Jorge. Thanks again.
Paul
Thank you to MINT and Anna my daughters instructor. She taught Georgia so much in two lessons equating to five hours. Anna was friendly, kind and very encouraging, we couldn’t have asked for more.
I had another awesome week of off piste snowboarding. Done many trips with MINT, I’m never disappointed! Trip well organized, Dave, our guide, is perfect. Many thanks, see you next year! 🙂
Just had the most amazing week snowboarding with MINT. Started off with a private lesson which was worth its weight in gold, then had a group lessons for 4 days. With only 4 of us in the group it felt like 1 – 1 tuition which was amazing. Thanks especially to Jorge and Tammy!
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