DAY 1
Fly to Japan.

DAY 2
Arrive at Chitose Airport. Transfer to Niseko, the powder skiing capital of Hokkaido. Niseko is fed by weather systems that originate from Siberia which pick up moisture from the Sea of Japan. It was named one of the snowiest resorts in the world, averaging around 16 meters of snow each season.

DAY 3
The first day is a free-skiing day for you to use as a warm up. Niseko is comprised of four main resort areas which access great off-piste skiing.

DAY 4
This is the first of our guided days. We will be taking you outside of the boundaries and in to the back-bowls. We will finish ski days soaking in the many thermal hot-springs of the area.

DAY 5 and DAY 6
A further 2 guided days in the greater Niseko area.

DAY 7
Rest and travel day.
We transfer to Central Hokkaido. Furano is nicknamed the ‘Naval of Hokkaido’ for its central location on the island. The quality of the snow is extremely light in this region due to very low humidity levels.

DAY 8
We will be taking you outside the ski area boundaries and in to the back bowls for some great powder skiing. Our off-piste circuit takes us out of the Furano ski area boundaries.

DAY 9
We take you out to Powder Mountain. We then take a short hike off the resort to a secret powder location.

DAY 10
We take you out to another local’s ski hill today. It sits in a valley and with great panoramic views all round. We then travel to Asahidake.

DAY 11
Asahidake is at 2,290m the highest mountain in Hokkaido and is also a live volcano. You will be awed by this conical shaped mountain that looms over the ski area with its multiple smoking fumaroles. It is located in the largest national park in Japan.

DAY 12
Asahidake guided day. If the weather is clear we can hike to the summit of the volcano.

DAY 13
After breakfast transfer back to Asahikawa airport for your return flight.

Optional 3-day ski touring extension 
DAY 13 
For the next 3 days we will be based in the Tokachidake area of Daisetsuzan National Park. Accommodation is a hot springs pension located at the highest drive-able point in Hokkaido. From here we have sweeping views of Furano valley. Our first tour is to climb and ski the ‘Three Step Mountain’ as well as finishing the day with a soak in a natural hot spring overlooking the live volcano in the area.

DAY 14 
Today’s backcountry tour is to some of the finest tree skiing in Hokkaido. It is an area that has been immortalized in magazines with pictures of skiers and snowboarders all trying to keep their heads above the snow.

DAY 15 
The last day will be spent climbing and skiing the front side of the area’s live volcano. If you are brave enough, a highlight is to touch the great volcanic steam that billows out of its great vent.

DAY 16 
Transfer back to Asahikawa airport for return journey home.

A Typical Day
A typical day involves traveling from our base in Niseko or Furano to surrounding ski areas where we access the off-piste via the lift system. Areas are chosen for their good access to off-piste. Days are then finished soaking in the many thermal springs of the area.
The risk of avalanches is low. A lot of the skiing will be tree skiing and the mature birch and pines in the mountains of this area provide good anchoring. Despite the cold temperatures, Hokkaido receives a lot of snow and the deep snow-pack promotes good stability.
Average slope angles are 30 degrees with the steepest being about 35 degrees.
It is more like the Rockies here with average runs of 500-700m of superb powder snow.
On the ski touring extension, you'll be skinning for about 3 hours on each day. Please bring crampons and ski crampons.

 2009 Trip Report
We did our first trip to Hokkaido in February 2009. Read  Nick's Inaugural Japan Powder skiing report

Dates & Duration
The trip includes 8 days off-piste guiding and 2 days unguided skiing. (3 extra guided days on the ski touring extension.)
Other dates/durations are available on request for private groups.
The peak powder season is mid-December until end-February

Price
The price includes all guide fees and expenses, airport transfers from Chitose airport/to Asahikawa airport, transfers to the areas on guided days, transfer from Niseko to Furano, lift tickets, 11 night accommodation with breakfasts, 4 dinners (the first night in Niseko and all dinners in Asahidake).
The price does not include international flights, domestic flights, any costs in Tokyo, personal insurance, lunches, 7 evening meals, drinks, optional extras and equipment hire.
Single room occupancy may incur additional charges. Further information available on request.
The cost for the 3-day ski tour extension is £925 per person based on a minimum group of 4. This price includes all guide fees and expenses, transfer to Tokachidake area from Asahidake, 3 night accommodation at Ryounkaku lodge with all meals and airport transfer back to Asahikawa airport.

Group Size
The trip is priced on a group size of 10-12 with 2 guides.
Additional charges may apply for smaller groups.

Accommodation
Participants will be accommodated in twin rooms at hotels. Breakfasts are included in the accommodation package. Breakfasts will be a mix of traditional Japanese style food which will consist of rice, fish, miso soup and salad. Western style breakfasts when available will consist of a cooked breakfast with cereal and toast. Dinner is included on the first night and last 3 nights.
In Niseko our recommended hotel is Hotel Kanronomori
In Furano you will stay in Pension Furanui. This is classified as a ‘European-style lodge’ that offers guests relaxed accommodation. It has its own small hot spring on the premises which is open to guests. All rooms are ensuite and there are also two ‘onsen’ - Japanese style bathrooms for females and males that include saunas, spa baths and still water hot spring style baths.
In Asahidake our recommended hotel is Lodge Nuta a traditional Japanese Ryokan.

Climate & Temperature
Hokkaido is cold in February. The average day time temperature in the mountains could be in the range of -6 to -20 degrees Celsius.

Your Guides
For this trip to Japan we have teamed up with Chuck Olbery who runs Hokkaido Powder Guides. Chuck is a member of the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association and has been based in Hokkaido for many years. He speaks fluent Japanese.

Equipment
A copy of our  recommended kit list will be sent to you at the time of booking.
The likelihood is we will be skiing deep light powder most of the time therefore it is highly recommended that your skis should be about 90-100ml in the waist. Alpine touring equipment is strongly recommended for this trip.
Confused about what skis, boots and binding combination to bring with you, then read our Ski Equipment page to find out more.

It is possible to hire ski equipment in Japan but it is expensive and we'd recommend bringing gear from the UK. All skiers will need to carry a small day sack (max 25 litres) containing their safety gear and any personal items e.g. camera.
Safety equipment: everyone is expected to ski at all times with the three essential items of avalanche safety equipment; transceiver, shovel and probe. If you ski off-piste regularly we recommend you purchase your own set.
We use and recommend the DTS Tracker and can offer you these at a discounted rate.

Getting There
We recommend that you book return international flights to Tokyo. For the domestic flights from Tokyo to Chitose and Asahikawa we recommend the Yokoso/Visit Japan tickets which are available to all overseas visitors to Japan who have booked their international flights with a Oneworld carrier. For further details contact our office or visit the Yokoso website at www.jap.co.jp/yokosojapan
International flights to Japan arrive at Narita airport. Domestic flights depart from Haneda airport. To travel between the 2 airports the limousine bus is the best option. www.limousinebus.co.jp/en  You can purchase tickets- 3000 Yen for one-way journey - at the airport and ticket booths are easy to find. Buses leave about every 15-20 minutes and the journey time is quoted as 75 minutes although it can take longer than this during busy period.

Miscellaneous
Lunches are available at all resorts. Menus typically consist of Japanese noodles, curry and rice dishes and pasta dishes. About 1,000 yen to 1,500 yen will be adequate (£5-8 per day)
At all of the areas that we will be staying in there will be a good selection of restaurants for dinner, both Japanese and western style. Budget between 2,000 yen to 3,000 yen. (£10-15 per day).

Money
Exchange rate as of April 2010 is 140 yen to £1
We strongly recommend bringing sufficient Japanese yen with you to Japan as late night arrivals in to Chitose Airport do not have access to money exchange vendors. There is no international ATM machine in Niseko so please have enough cash for your stay there.
Furano has an international ATM which will accept most cards including credit cards, situated in the convenience store a short walk from the ski area and hotel. There is also a post office in town with some ATM machines.
There are no ATM machines at Asahidake.
Most restaurants and shops are unable to accept credit cards in the Furano area. Please ensure that you have sufficient cash to cover your expenses.

Medical Facilities
There are major hospitals in both Niseko and Furano with English speaking doctors and nurses and English medical forms in for your convenience. Medical and health care is of a very high quality in Japan. Like most countries it can be expensive and this should be taken in to consideration before your departure.
We strongly advise that you to bring sufficient quantities of any specific medication that you require. You should also bring a personal basic first aid kit containing band-aids, pain killers, elasticized bandage and Second Skin for blisters.

Time
Japan standard time is UTC/GMT plus 9 hours. There are no daylight savings in Japan.

Voltage
The standard voltage in Japan is 100-110V / 50Hz. A voltage adaptor is recommended for sensitive appliances or for use over long periods.

Visas
Citizens of most European Countries and USA do not require visas for short visits to Japan. For further information visit your local Japan Embassy website.
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your trip.