Venturing into the backcountry is the ultimate freedom. A place to explore new areas and ride untouched powder. We are blessed with an abundance of snow and terrain; open faces, trees, chutes, bowls, cliffs.. it’s all there waiting for you.
Book a backcountry tour and we will take you there.
- Backcountry tours can be lift accessed, touring, or a combination of both.
- BC tours run all day (approx 6 hours) and cost 60,000 for groups of 1-6 ppl.
- It includes pick up from and drop off to your accommodation, a qualified & knowledgeable guide and an epic day riding the best snow in the area.
- The guide is there to take you to the best spots, show you a great time and keep you safe. If you want photos/videos of you and your mates we can arrange a professional photographer to get it done :).
- Hokkaido has the best snow in the world, period. Make the most of it and let us take you to it.
Lift accessed
Ride untracked powder without breaking a sweat. Here are just some of our favourite lift accessed backcountry powder spots.
Niseko
Located just outside the Niseko United gates is the top of Mt Annupuri. Whilst the sweeping views over the Sea of Japan, and south towards Lake Toya and the Pacific Ocean and lovely, we are here for the powder and it certainly delivers. Dropping into the Back Bowls offers some of the best riding in the area, and the fact it funnels straight down to the gondola means we can get in lap after lap after lap.
Kiroro Snow World
Kiroro is an easy 40 minute drive from Niseko and it’s renown for getting even more snow (hard to believe) and having less crowds. It has several gates giving access to some fantastic off-piste terrain.
Furano
Once with one of the most restrictive off-piste policies in Hokkaido, Furano has gone full circle and now has a progressive gate system allowing riders to take full advantage of it’s amazing and varied terrain. Being located in the interior means temperatures are generally lower so the snow remains in good condition later into the season. A favourite area to head to once spring arrives in Niseko.
- Avalanche safety equipment is required, we will organise it if you don’t have your own.
- Touring equipment is not required.
- Some spots require a small amount of walking to get to from the top of the lift, but they all run out onto a groomed course at the bottom
Touring
For those wanting to earn their turns, whether on touring skis, a splitboard or snowshoes.
Ultimately snow conditions and weather will decide where we go. Here are some of our regular haunts.
Shiribetsu
Sitting between Mt Yotei & Rusutsu Resort, this is without doubt one of our favourite places to tour. A relatively short 2 hr hike up with a multitude of options coming down. Expect to get in 2 or 3 laps on the upper pitches before we finish with one long top to bottom powder run.
Niseko Range
A large area encompassing Iwaonupuri, Nitonupuri & Chisenupuri peaks gives us several options to chose from. For those fit enough and game enough it’s possible to hit all 3 in one day. We normally start and finish the day at Goshiki Onsen, which means a beer and a nice soak to round it out.
Yotei
With the best riding being found below the treeline we often opt to stop at about 1200m. From there we have great gullies and mellow glades to explore. If the weather is optimal and the crew is keen a push for the top is possible. On the best of days, dropping into the crater is also an option.
- Avalanche safety equipment is required, we will organise it if you don’t have your own.
- Touring equipment is required, we will organise it if you don’t have your own.
“Max & I met in Niseko 5 years ago. Our first experience was for Powder Guiding in the backcountry. His knowledge of where to find the best spots and how to keep everyone safe was an unforgettable experience everyone still remembers”