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Instructional Backcountry Week / Beyond the Boundaries

These weeks are aimed at skiers and snowboarders who wish to augment an instructional week with an exceptional backcountry powder skiing/riding experience.

It incorporates a two day avalanche safety training (AST) course recognized by the Canadian Avalanche Association after which ongoing instruction is provided during the week.

At the end of the course participants will have acquired vital avalanche awareness skills to play safer in the mountains.

INSTRUCTION
The two day Avalanche Skills Training course provides a comprehensive introduction to avalanche safety in the backcountry.

Emphasis will be on equipment use, interpreting avalanche information, analyzing snowpack stability and avalanche self rescue.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
In order that participants are of similar abilities we have rated this trip with Ski Ability and Backcountry Levels.

Ski Ability 4 / Backcountry Level Easy

To make the most of your trip we recommend that you have a good level of aerobic fitness.

TERRAIN
Out of ski area boundaries and isolated backcountry terrain in the Central Hokkaido region.

PROGRAM DATES 2011-12
Feb 26 - Mar 3 2012

GUIDE TO GUEST RATIO
1:6 (maximum 6 guests)

PROGRAM PRICE Click here

BOOKINGS Click here

EQUIPMENT
Touring and avalanche safety equipment for skiers and snowboarders.

TESTIMONIALS
Andrew (Australia)
on behalf of Gatty, Hew and Steve,
We had a fantastic week. Given Hokkaido had an usually poor March in 2008, we had great guiding to still access boot to knee deep powder. Read more

PROGRAM ITINERARY
DAY 1
Transfer to Furano, nicknamed the ‘Belly Button of Hokkaido’ for its central location on the island. Furano town-ship is located at the base of Furano Ski Resort.

DAY 2
The first day is unguided and is for you to warm up your legs for the week. Furano ski resort is one of the premier ski areas of Hokkaido and has been a venue for the Ski and Snowboard World Cups. It snows an average of nine meters of exceptionally light powder during the course of a season due to low humidity levels. In the evening we begin the theory session of the avalanche course

DAY 3
Transfer to Asahidake, 2,290m which is the highest mountain in Hokkaido and is also a live volcano. You will be awed by this conical shaped volcano that looms up and sends out plumes of smoke from its vents. We begin with transceiver search techniques and then look at tests for assessing snow stability.

DAY 4
More skiing. There will be an avalanche scenario after skiing a few runs of this backcountry area. We then travel to Daisetsuzan National Park where we will be based in a hot springs pension for the next three days.

DAY 5
We intend to climb the ‘Three Step Mountain’ and look at different traveling tests for snow stability. We still intend to get some of the best ski turns you will ever experience as well as finishing the day with a soak in a natural hot spring overlooking the live volcano in the area.

DAY 6
Today’s backcountry tour is to some of the finest tree skiing in Hokkaido and a powder mecca for Hokkaido’s backcountry community. The snow here is some of the lightest in the world and will not disappoint.

DAY 7
Our last day will be spent climbing and skiing the front side of the live volcano in the area. If you are brave enough a highlight is to touch the great volcanic steam that billows out of its great vent. The day will finish with a soak in a nearby outdoor hot spring which magically re-energizes tired bodies. Transfer to Furano to celebrate the last night.

DAY 8
Airport transfer.