PowderQuest Japan Off-piste Trip January 20-29, 2012
Hurry, Registration closes November 25th!
Join PowderQuest’s Mohan Rasiah and David Owen plus an expert local guide on an exclusive off-piste ski and snowboard adventure on the northern island of Hokkaido in Japan! Hokkaido is well known for high precipitation amounts during the winter months and renowned for deep powder conditions.
Starting in the Central Hokkaido region you will ski some of the lightest powder in the world before going to Niseko, which averages around 15 meters of snow each season. You will also experience volcanoes, hot thermal springs and sushi on a trip that has all the makings of a truly memorable Japanese snow journey.
THE AREA
Central Hokkaido is known for exceptionally light powder snow due to cold temperatures and low humidity levels.
Niseko is in the west of Hokkaido and is renowned for huge accumulations of snow and for exceptional tree skiing.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Advanced level and can ski/snowboard deep powder.
TERRAIN AND SNOW
A combination of alpine and tree skiing, although we will often be skiing in the glades due to frequent storms. Expect to be skiing verticals of 500 to 900 meters. The Hokkaido snowpack is deep and generally very stable.
PROGRAM ITINERARY Ski Japan | Snowboard Japan
DAY 1 (Fri Jan 20)
Arrive Asahikawa and transfer to Furano. The town is known as the ‘Navel of Hokkaido’ for its central location on the island. The town has a good selection of bars and restaurants.
DAY 2 (Sat Jan 21)
Furano ski resort is one of the premier ski areas of Hokkaido and has steeper terrain than other areas of Hokkaido. Our off-piste circuit takes us out of the ski area boundaries which provides for 900 vertical meters of skiing each run. Easy access out of the resort makes for a big day of skiing.
DAY 3 (Sun Jan 22)
Today we travel to a ski area nearby. This is great tree skiing and riding in a wide open and expansive resort with some of Hokkaido's best side-country skiing.
DAY 4 (Mon Jan 23)
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. On clear days you will see plumes of white smoke billowing from its many vents. A cable-car gives lift access to the tree line providing for 600 meters of skiing through primeval forests of spruce that are 600 years old.
DAY 5 (Tues Jan 24)
Today's destination is a local's resort situated north of Furano. On the way we pass the huge statue of the Buddhist deity 'Kanronsama' who is the Goddess of Wishes. The resort sits in a valley and is perfectly located to catch snow from the predominant Westerly wind direction which deposits great quantities of snow on the off-piste. Transfer to Niseko, the powder skiing capital of Japan. Niseko is fed by weather systems that originate from Siberia which pick up moisture from the Sea of Japan.
DAY 6 (Wed Jan 25)
Today we will exit the ski resort boundaries to sample some of Niseko’s famous powder. From the tops of the cone shaped mountains there are stunning views of the Sea of Japan. The widely spaced birch offer some world-class tree skiing. Our last run finishes at the front door of a local outdoor thermal hot spring called the pool of five colors.
DAY 7 (Thu Jan 26)
Today we venture to Rusutsu Resort. On a fine day it offers stunning panoramic views of Mt Yotei which is a huge extinct volcano that has been nicknamed the ‘Mt Fuji of the North.’ The off-piste terrain funnels skiers down drainages conveniently back to the lifts for quick laps. On the return journey we stop at an outdoor spring which overlooks Mt Yotei.
DAY 8 (Fri Jan 27)
Today we will ski a local resort in the Niseko area.
DAY 9 (Sat Jan 28)
On our last day in Niseko we will go to a small local resort in the center of the Niseko volcanic group of mountains. The area is well known for boiling volcanic ponds. We will enjoy the off-piste accessible from the lift before a short hike to the top of the peak for some turns down to another hot spring.
Day 10 (Sun Jan 29)
Transfer to Sapporo International Airport after breakfast.
Trip Includes
• Guiding fees and expenses
• Accommodation in twin rooms with daily breakfast at a family run pension (Furano) and deluxe hotel (Niseko)
• Lift tickets (8 days)
• Private transfers between areas
$4,595 per person
Add $725 for a single room upgrade
Not Included:
· Lunches, dinners and drinks
· Avalanche safety equipment
· Your international airfare
Required Equipment
Rentals Available
» Backpack (29-35 liter) with external harness straps for carrying skis or board
» 457 Khz avalanche transceiver
» Avalanche snow shovel
» Avalanche probe
» Collapsible trekking poles for snowboarders
Meal Costs
Budget around $25 for dinners/person, not including drinks. Lunches, budget $13. A beer will cost $5-7 at a bar, same goes for spirits.
Payment Details: $1,500 due at time of booking. Final balance due November 20th, 2011.
QUESTIONS AND RESERVATIONS: info@powderquest.com
