Are you ready for the most epic off-piste trip to Japan ever?
We know your answer is yes! That is why we have made the ultimate off-piste trip to the powder mecca Hokkaido in Japan! You will go on a road trip to the wildest powder every day accompanied by extremely competent guides.
You’ll visit all of the best ski areas, explore the secret, pristine backcountry of the Japanese powder landscape and see the local hidden powder treasures.
When we say over 18 meters of powders a year, we’re not lying. You will get to explore the depths of all this powder during your off-piste trip in Japan!
Travel diary for your JaPOW Off-piste trip 🏔⛷ ❄
We’ve worked with the local backcountry guides to make sure safety, snow conditions, lines and a great mood is the top priority. So you will have the experience of a lifetime!
The tour consists of a mix of backcountry (off-piste with lift access) and backcountry touring (ski touring / split-boards).
Example of Travel Diary
Day 1 – Departure
Day 2 – Arrival at Sapporo airport and transfer to accommodation in Niseko
Day 3 – The tour starts by chasing the best powder in Niseko (warm-up, avalanche training and introduction to Japan’s off-piste with your guides)
Day 4 – Guided off-piste tour to the best spots in Niseko with the opportunity to relax in the ‘Ons’-spa afterwards
Day 5 – Guided off-piste tour to Kiroro, which has huge snowfalls and unforgettable powder lines when getting down
Day 6 – After some wild days in deep snow around Niseko, the trip goes to Rusutsu. There is an unlimited amount of opportunities for fantastic off-piste skiing with fewer tourists and crazy tree runs in one of the world’s best off-piste resorts.
Day 7 – Guided off-piste tour in Central Hokkaido – your backcountry guides take you to the best spots, with the opportunity to adjust the day program in collaboration with your guides
Day 8 – Early departure for guided off-piste tour in Sapporo region – your backcountry guides take you to the best places with the opportunity to adjust the day program in collaboration with your guides.
Day 9 – Guided off-piste tour in Sapporo Region with a stay in Sapporo.
Day 10 – Transfer to Sapporo Airport, goodbye and getting home.
What’s included?
Are you also daydreaming about the huge amount of bottomless Japanese powder, battling the legendary Japanese mountains and ending the day with spa and sushi? Then you’ve come to the right place.
With Snowminds you can experience every skier/snowboarders dream and go on off-piste trips to Japan with everything arranged and be guaranteed the wildest experience in the best circumstances.
Your trip includes:
- 9 nights including real Japanese style breakfast in 2 or 3 person rooms.
- 8 guided day trips in the backcountry with personal off-piste guides (Transport included)
- You explore at least 4 unique ski areas (Transport included)
- Lift tickets every day
- Local transport to Niseko on arrival at the airport
- Local representatives and off-piste guides
- Local recommendation to the best restaurants and bars
- An authentic Japanese experience
- Add-on opportunity to visit Tokyo or Kyoto after the guided tour
- Security by a Danish travel company, which is a member of the Travel Guarantee Fund
- A complete experience with everything is arranged for you
What is not included, but can be arranged and purchased?
- Fly between your location and Japan
- Lunch and dinner
- Departure transport to the airport
- Cancellation insurance and travel insurance
- Equipment (ski/snowboard for touring, avalanche equipment)
- Everything not mentioned above
Travelling periods:
We have many opportunities to travel to Hokkaido to explore the powder on our off-piste trips in Japan. We currently have three planned travel periods:
1st of January departure (10 days, dates may vary)
- Arrival January 14th / Homecoming January 23rd.
- 10 travel days / 9 nights / 8 ski days
First February departure (10 days, dates may vary)
- Arrival: February 7th / Homecoming: February 17th
- 10 travel days / 9 nights / 8 ski days
Second February departure (10 days, dates may vary)
- Arrival: February 28th / Homecoming March 9th
- 10 travel days / 9 nights / 8 ski days
Price
JaPOW Guided Offpiste Trip
From 3149 EUR
As soon as possible!
Niseko, Hokkaido
10 traveling days / 8 skiing daysFAQ
We know you may have a couple of questions, so we’ve answered a few of them below in the FAQ.
How is a typical day?
A typical day starts with breakfast at the hotel you’re staying in.
On guided days, your guides will pick you up. They familiarize you with today’s weather, snow conditions and the plan of today’s adventure. The whole day will be filled with amazing experiences in the Japanese landscape, where you will get great turns and the powder (FACESHOTS) all day long.
To end an amazing day on the mountain, there is the opportunity for Japanese sauna (Ons) and dinner (eg. sushi or ramen), making sure you’re ready to repeat the success the very next day!
When can i go?
We have chosen the three periods that are best for this particular journey and where we can give you the best experience.
If you want to travel at other time periods, we can of course arrange it.
Off-piste tours are primarily group trips, and all tours can be tailored to your specific requirements.
Contact us and we will find the perfect experience that matches your wishes!
What can i add to my trip?
We have chosen to put together a basic package (see “WHAT IS INCLUDED”), but with full flexibility for specific wishes, adjustments and additions.
The following can be arranged:
- Flights between your location and Japan (Ski/Snowboard transport included)
- Ski/Snowboard rental
- Rental of avalanche equipment
- Japanese Spa (Ons)
- Upgrading of accommodation
- Extra guided tours (Climb Mount Yotei, sidecountry, backcountry)
- Snowmobiles
- Catskiing
- Extra ski days (Trip Extension)
Can everyone go on this trip?
Off-piste skiing is primarily for the experienced skier/snowboarder, who can be in varied off-piste terrain (Steep slopes, deep snow, narrow passages and in-between trees).
We have the opportunity to tailor each day to match the level of the specific groups.
Thereby we also have the opportunity to arrange tours for the experienced skier/snowboarder who wants to explore the terrain off-piste more, or experience it for the first time.
If you are interested in skiing lessons, we refer to ski school instruction through our booking platform called Skimundi.
What equipment do i need?
When off-piste skiing it is important to have the right equipment, as skiing/snowboarding in the off-piste requires specialized equipment.
In general, it is important to have the right clothing and avalanche equipment.
Off-piste skiing requires off-piste skis and backcountry touring equipment, and snowboarding requires either split-boards or snowshoes (but we recommend split-boards as snowshoes make it difficult to keep up with skiers).
We recommend bringing your own ski/snowboard equipment, but we can help with this.
Clothing
- We recommend shell clothes and solid mid-layers (Merino wool is recommended), which is breathable as you will sweat when going upwards, but still be able to keep the heat at minus 25 degrees.
- Goggles with several glasses for different weather-types, but mainly for cloudy/low visibility snow.
- Two pairs of gloves so there is always a dry pair in the bag.
- Balaclava (it is a must to have a balaclava that can be pulled all the way up under the goggles and thus covers the entire face, as you often get snow all over your head).
Avalanche Equipment
- The avalanche danger in Japan is generally less than in other ski areas, but it is always a must to have bibs, probes and a shovel – You can also have an avalanche backpack with an Airbag, but is not a requirement.
- We recommend a good backpack (+ 30L) with room for avalanche gear, extra goggles lenses, gloves, water, snacks etc., and adjustments on chest and waist so the bag fits well on your back.
- Transceiver (beeps), probe and a shovel. We recommend that you have your own avalanche equipment that you use every time. Our guides will of course train you and make you great at using the equipment. However, it is always possible to rent avalanche equipment at the destination.
Want to hear more about our off-piste skiing from our participants? Read all their stories on the Snowminds blog or see their reviews on Trustpilot or Facebook. We are top-rated!
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