Experience the exhilaration of skiing in to a volcano crater
Starting in the Niseko area, spend four days skiing some of the area’s dormant and not so dormant volcanoes. Then travel inland to Japan’s largest national park and ski the highest volcanoes in Hokkaido. We ski some isolated backcountry terrain accessed by snowmobile in Central Hokkaido. You will stay in traditional hot spring hotels and experience the Japanese culture of hot-springs and tatami rooms with futon bedding. This is the ultimate Hokkaido backcountry road trip.
From Sapporo’s Chitose Airport you will travel to Niseko, the high snowfall region of Hokkaido. Arrive to a town with massive snowbanks by the side of the road and most likely, falling snow.
The first day we will have lift access the backcountry of the Annupuri Range, which stretches right to the Sea of Japan. From the tops of the cone shaped mountains there are stunning views of the ocean. You will ski down to a hot spring on the last run of the day.
We will be skiing a cone shaped peak with possibilities to ski on a few different aspects. This is some of the steepest tree skiing terrain in the area, and all with stunning views of Mt Yotei, the 'Fuji of the North.'
Ever skied in to a volcanic crater? Mt Yotei is referred to as the 'Mt Fuji of the North.' The site of the volcano dominates the surrounding area, rising to 1,800 meters. Our plan is to ski in to the crater and then a 1,400 meter vertical descent to the base.
We travel to a backcountry destination today which sits closer to the ocean than Niseko and can get even more accumulations of snow. Travel through to Furano, the gateway to the Daisetsuzan National Park and the highest peaks in Hokkaido.
We will be accessing some backcountry terrain with a snowmobile tow-in across the approach. You will ski runs like 'Time Warp' which is fantastic tree skiing. You will then transfer in to the high mountains of the Daisetsuzan National Park and be staying in a traditional hot spring hotel.
The route today will take you through a nine hundred year old spruce forest. From here there are three ridge-lines with superb skiing on either side.
Ski the live volcano of Mt Tokachi. Peer in to the crater before skiing one of the gully runs feeding from the summit. The day will finish with a soak in an outdoor spring with views of your ski line.
Our last day we travel to the third of our volcanoes which is Asahidake. 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.
Farewell and airport transfer.
10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS
BACKCOUNTRY
NISEKO
FURANO
+81-167-225655
info@hokkaidopowderguides.com