PROGRAM ITINERARY
Day 1
From Sapporofs Chitose Airport you will travel to Niseko.
Day 2
The first day we will be utilizing the lifts to access the ski resort boundaries to sample some of Nisekofs famous powder. Niseko averages approximately 16 meters of snowfall per season. From the tops of the cone shaped mountains there are stunning views of the Sea of Japan. You will ski to the '5 Colors' hot spring at the end of the day.
Day 3
Todayfs backcountry tour is a circuit in the center of the Niseko volcanic mountains amidst fumaroles and boiling ponds. We ski back to the hot springs in the area with a total of 11 outdoor baths and a volcanic mud-bath.
Day 4
We travel to an isolated backcountry destination today which sits closer to the ocean than Niseko and gets even more accumulations of snow. We finish in the areafs hot spring that has a luxurious falling water bath.
Day 5
The last dayfs plan for this area is to climb Mt Yotei, the eFuji San of Hokkaido,f the first of our volcanoes. It is a huge cone shaped mountain that rises from just above sea level to 1,898 meters and is 9th on the list of eHyakumeizan,f or Japanfs 100 most famous mountains. If we are lucky and have a fine day you will be able to climb to the rim of the crater before descending the longest vertical in Hokkaido.
Day 6
Travel day. We travel to Daisetsuzan National Park for the next three days where we will be based in another hot springs pension located at the highest drive-able point in Hokkaido. The Ainu who are the indigenous people of Hokkaido refer to these mountains as eKamui Mintara,f or the ePlayground of the Gods.f There is amazing backcountry skiing right outside the front door and an outdoor spring that has superb panoramic views of the mountains.
Day 7
Todayfs backcountry tour is to some of the finest tree skiing in Hokkaido and a favorite for Central Hokkaidofs backcountry community. 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 8
We ski the front side of the Daisetsuzan Volcano and if you are brave enough a highlight is to touch the volcanic steam that billows out of its great vent. The day will finish with a soak in a forest hot spring which is reputed to have healing qualities.
Day 9
Our last day we travel to the third of our volcanoes which is Asahidake in the northern part of Daisetsuzan National Park. It is the highest mountain in Hokkaido at 2,290m and another member of the Hyakumeizan. On clear days you can see plumes of white smoke billowing from its many vents. A cable-car gives lift access to the tree line providing for 600 meters and then a 700 vertical meter ascent to the roof of Hokkaido.
Day 10
Transfer to Asahikawa Airport.