FURANO - NISEKO - ANNUPURI - ASAHIDAKE - RUSUTSU - KOKUSAI
Ski the many off-piste and backcountry itineraries of Hokkaido Island.
With 120 ski resorts, and cities buried under several meters of snow most of the winter, Hokkaido prefecture is indeed the nirvana of the powder skier. The quality of the snow is exceptional and we find there the most snowy ski resorts of the country with year after year from 10 to 15 meters per winter of a snow of an exceptional quality since presenting a rate of humidity lower than 5%…
Skiing on volcanoes, hot springs, world-famous and appreciated gastronomy, irreproachable welcome: Japan is worth the detour… The program of this ski safari will allow you to discover 2 very distinct regions of the island:
-Furano, the largest ski resort in the center of the island is an ideal first lodging place. In particular, it makes it possible to radiate and discover several small satellite ski areas, all less than an hour away from each other.
-Niseko located in the west of the island is the largest and the most famous ski resort in Hokkaido. This will be our second lodging place. It is ideally located near the ocean and several other must-see ski resorts. The village of Kutchan at an altitude of 250 mts, located right next to Niseko, holds several world snow records with a peak at 21 meters of snow.
All in all, this tour will allow you to discover 6 different ski resorts, as well as to discover a good part of the island of Hokkaido and have a good overview of the Japanese way of life.
What you will do during your trip
You will leave your track on the famous powder champagne generously fallen between the birch trees covering the Japanese mountains.
You will put the seal skins to ski next to the impressive fumaroles of the Asahidake volcano.
When you come back from skiing you will take advantage of the onsens (natural hot spring) to regenerate your legs which will have well deserved it!
Every evening, an incredible variety of culinary curiosities will delight your taste buds.
Frequently asked questions
9V guides use and recommend backcountry skis with touring bindings from 95 mm to 120 mm wide depending on your size. Equipped with pin touring bindings with stoppers, these skis are quite light and allow you to ski with ease and save your legs in all snow conditions. We recommend backcountry / touring ski bboots with 4 hooks with 60° of travel.
If you have an avalanche device, we advise you to bring it with you. If it’s an old avalanch beacon, this will be an opportunity to check that it works well and practice with it… You may want to buy a new one afterwards. If it is brand new, it is important to use it as often as possible to familiarize yourself with how it works. Only regular training allows you to be effective when needed! If you do not have a avalanche beacon, please let us know on the registration form and we will provide it to you (depending on the destination).
SUIT CASE AND SKI BAG
As we travel by plane, boat, car or minivan, space is often limited. It is therefore preferable to have compact luggage easy to handle… We advise you to travel with a soft bag (duffel bag style) with wheels, a soft ski bbag without wheels + a separate ski boot bag (always part of your sport equipment bundle).
BACKPACK (25 / 35 liters with carrying strap for skis) for the day’s belongings, you will put:
– a warm down jacket at the bottom of the bag,
– goggles with flat light screen,
– neck warmer against the wind, the cold, the powder, the sun,
– high protection sunscreen for the face and lips,
– spare glove if you fall often or mittens if you fear the cold,
– insulated water bottle if it’s cold or camel bag if it’s mild,
– dried fruits, chocolate, energy bars,
– space blanket, shovel and probe.
EQUIPMENT
You will spend a lot more time in your ski outfit than in your après-ski outfit.
At any time of the winter season, it can be sunny and mild, or it can be extremely cold, snowy or rainy.
Pack weather-appropriate clothing: During a snowstorm, skiing in the forest is fantastic. Plan an additional item of clothing to take in your backpack during the day; it will allow you to adapt to any temperature changes. The temperature varies with the elevation, around 10°C per 1000 meters. Therefore, the temperature difference between the valley and the summit can vary by 20° or more with the effect of the wind.
If you are properly equipped you will enjoy skiing whatever the weather. We ski in all weathers conditiions.
Find out what is your ski level.
Program
DAY 1: Meet at New Chitose International Airport in Sapporo.
Meeting with the guide. Transfer with our 4×4 minivan directly to La Vista hotel in Furano. This hotel located at the foot of the Furano ski resort will be our base for the next 5 days. Overnight at La Vista hotel.
DAY 2: Furano
With 950 m of vertical drop, Furano offers beautiful descents in large untouched valleys. Safety briefing in the morning and powder skiing in the forest all day. Overnight at La Vista hotel
DAY 3: Tomamu
It’s a nice little ski resort where there aren’t many people. Skiing between the ideally spaced birch trees is easy and a short hike allows a long descent to the road. In short, powder, long run on untracked snow … Overnight at La Vista hotel
DAY 4: Asahidake
Here there is only one ski lift, a cable car that takes us to the slopes of Mt Asahi which rises to 2291 mts high. It is the highest peak in Hokkaido. It is also an active volcano, as evidenced by the fumaroles present at the top of the lift. If the weather permits, a nice hike will allow us to climb to its summit. Change of scenery guaranteed. Overnight at La Vista hotel
DAY 5: Tokashidake
Located just opposite Furano ski area, the volcanoes of the Daisetsuzan national park are impressive. With several peaks reaching 2000 mts high, the snow there is often amazing. Underneath the sulfurous smoke of active volcanoes, the forest is magical. This paradise is reserved for ski touring enthusiasts, indeed it is a national park and there are no ski lifts. At the end of the day, we will be able to swim in the natural warm waters of a beautiful Onsen. Overnight at La Vista hotel
DAY 7: Transfert Furano – Niseko
Transfer by minibus between Furano and Niseko. The highway is surrounded by impressive snow walls which make crossing the island by car an unforgettable experience. Arriving in Niseko at the end of the afternoon, we will be able to enjoy the very popular night skiing in Japan. Banzaï for a few hours of night skiing !!! Overnight at the Green Leaf Hotel.
DAY 7: Niseko
Also called the Snow Factory, Niseko is Japan’s best-known ski resort. Its ski area stretches over a good part of the Annupuri volcano and offers many off-piste itineraries. From the top of the last chairlift, a half an hour boot pack approach allows to reach the top of the volcano. This effort will be rewarded by 360° descents and a good 1000 m of vertical drop in powder snow. Overnight at the Green Leaf Hotel.
DAY 8: Rusutsu
About 45 minutes drive from Niseko, Rusutsu is a little gem for powder and steep slope lovers. Most of the time, there is a lot of snow and very few people as soon as you deign to put the skins on… Otherwise, Rusutsu offers about twenty ski lifts and a playground full of powder snow. Overnight at the Green Leaf Hotel.
DAY 9: Niseko – End of the trip
Back to the snow factory for our last day of skiing, it is with pleasure that we will again enjoy the magical japanese powder snow and the gnarly Niseko ski terrain. Fans of ski touring, it is possible to climb Mount Yotei! After skiing, transfer by minibus to Chitose for an arrival at the airport around 7pm. Those who want to leave right away can book their plane directly for that evening, but if you have some time, we suggest you stay one more night (extra charge) in order to spend a last evening on the island of Hokkaido with your guide who will show you the nightlife of Chitose before your flight back the next morning.
The program is subject to change depending on the conditions on the ground and the fitness of the participants.
Hotels and Huts
Hotels and Huts
HOTEL LA VISTA FURANO HILLS (our base when discoreving the skiing around Furano) :
Located in the lively Furano district at the foot of the ski resort of the same name, Hotel La Vista welcomes us with a perfect blend of comfort and tradition. The hotel has its own Onsen and the English speaking staff is at our service.
GREEN LEAF HOTEL NISEKO VILLAGE ((our base when discoreving the skiing around Niseko) :
This is a luxurious European-style hotel ideally located at the bottom of the pistes (ski-in / ski-out). The rooms overlook the volcano, the buffet breakfast is huge and the Onsen (Japanese-style spa) is first class.
Included
Included 9V GUIDES
Full-time supervision for 6 people by a UIAGM / IFMGA mountain guide or a fully qualified ski guide specialist of the region.
LIFT PASSES
6 days ski pass for all the ski resorts we cross.
ACCOMMODATION
8 nights in double occupancy rooms with great buffet breakfast.
– 5 nights at the La Vista Furano hills hotel in Furano, and access to the hotel’s hot water baths, “Onsen”.
– 3 nights at the Green Leaf hotel in Niseko Village, with buffet breakfast and access to the hotel’s “Onsen” natural hot spring.
TRANSPORTATION
All transportation during the safari for participants and luggage. The transport will be done in a 4×4 minibus driven by your guide.
SAFETY GEAR
RESCUE EQUIPMENT
Not included
Not included RESCUE INSURANCE
TRIP INSURANCE
LUNCHS AND DINNERS
For lunch, we often make a short breaks to grabb a ramen in a restaurant at the bottom of the ski lifts. In the evening, looking for a local restaurant is an opportunity to get to know the area and the local culture better. The guide’s lunchs and dinners are the responsibility of the participants throughout the safari.
