Powder Safari – Hokkaido, Japan

Powder Safari – Hokkaido, Japan - Description

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!!!

Optional Extras

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!

Duration

10 guided days snowboarding, touring around different resorts of Hokkaido, Japan (11 nights)

Ratio

6 to 1 client to guide ratio