Included: An experienced, local skiing or snowboarding guide with extensive knowledge of the area Itinerary of your choice, either Guided Resort Powder Discovery Day or Private Guided Backcountry Skiing Niseko or Furano area accommodation pick-up/drop-off with flexible start time and transportation to the resort of choice Add-ons: Custom pick-up location Avalanche safety gear rental for the Private Guided Backcountry Skiing itinerary Not included: Lift passes Accommodation Meals Ski and snowboard equipment Assurance on the day’s weather Pick-up from areas other than Niseko or Furano Guide gratuities — optional Travel and medical insurance — optional Please note: If you booked a certain ski resort and the lifts are shut that day, the guides will offer up another resort. If all available resort options are closed, the guides will try to reschedule for another day (if available), or offer you a full refund.

How fit do I need to be?

Guided Resort Power Discovery Day operates within resort boundaries strictly in areas where avalanche safety equipment is not required. You will stay within resort boundaries at all times. This tour is beginner-friendly and suitable for adventurers new to Hokkaido, groups, and even families with children above the age of 10. For the Private Guided Backcountry Skiing itinerary, you must have a minimum level of high-intermediate to join the tour, which means that you need to be confident skiing in off piste powder and through trees. Avalanche safety gear is required for all skiers. For more backcountry skiing adventures in Japan, click here !

What do I need to bring?

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring: Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboards with skins (can be rented) Touring boots and ski or trekking poles (can be rented) Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented) For personal items, we recommend bringing: Helmet Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks Softshell jacket and fleece jacket Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended) Hardshell ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended) Sunglasses and ski goggles Lightweight gloves, midweight softshell gloves, and heavyweight waterproof gloves Sun hat and neck gaiter 2 Water bottles (1L capacity) Thermos with a warm beverage — optional Food you can eat on-the-go Sunscreen Backpack (20-40L capacity) Camera — optional Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For the Guided Resort Power Discovery Day, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. For the Private Guided Backcountry Skiing, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1. The Guided Resort Power Discovery Day can operate even if only one person signs up. The maximum group size is set at 4 participants. The Private Guided Backcountry Skiing tour can operate even if only one person signs up. The maximum group size is set at 5 participants. Please note that this tour is reserved for private groups only! Backcountry skiing in Japan can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors above the age of 10 may be permitted to join the: Guided Resort Power Discovery Day, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. Minors above the age of 15 may be permitted to join thePrivate Guided Backcountry Skiing tour, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Hokkaido ski tour is Niseko or Furano . To get there, most people fly into Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport or the Asahikawa (AKJ) Airport . From there, you can use public transport or rent a car to reach Niseko or Furano. Once you’re there, your guides will pick you up from your accommodation. The guides will provide more info before the trip starts.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner! Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

HOKKAIDO | JAPAN

Hokkaido Day Trips: Guided Skiing on Top-Notch Powder in Japan

5.00 ()

Season

December through March

Duration

1 day

Difficulty

Guides

Paul Ellis, Whiteroom Tours

From $715 () / 1 day

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

Not all powder is created equal, and Hokkaido’s sits firmly at the top of the heap. Whether you’re chasing fresh tracks within resort limits or taking it out of bounds for a taste of backcountry bliss, these day-long trips are made for skiers who dream in white. Local guides dial in the day to match your skills and goals, so all that’s left is to ride hard, carve deep, and soak up every turn in Japan’s unmatched snow. It’s time to leave the ordinary behind and discover hidden lines, sharpen your skills, and revel in the kind of snow that keeps skiers coming back year after year.

Adventure highlights

Expert guidance

Enjoy the tour with guidance from instructors who are intimately familiar with each resort’s terrain and powder zones
No time? No problem!

These guided tours are designed to give you the best JaPow experience in a single day
Top-notch powder

Hokkaido is world-famous for its incredibly deep and light powder

Download itineraries

Available itineraries

Hokkaido Ski Tour: Private Guided Backcountry Skiing

Ever wonder what lies beyond the boundary ropes? Time to find out. Hokkaido’s famed powder isn’t just a rumor—it’s a playground of untracked bliss. Whether you’re a total novice requiring intro to backcountry touring, or you’d rather join lift-accessed explorations, or you’d like to focus on plain old backcountry touring, it’s up to you. Your guides will keep it safe and tight with a 5:1 ratio, so you’ll feel supported while tackling the backcountry. You’ll need avalanche gear (rentals are available if you’re packing light) and high-intermediate skills to float through trees and open bowls. Bonus? If you’re up for it, we’ll slap skins on the skis or splitboard and head deeper. Ready to find your next favorite run?

Hokkaido Ski Tour: Guided Resort Powder Discovery Day

Unleash your inner powder hound as we hunt down Hokkaido’s best-kept snow secrets. Your expert instructors know every stash within resort boundaries, ensuring fresh tracks and zero stress. Whether you’re in Niseko or Furano, the guides will tailor the day to your group and pick you up from your accommodation. No avalanche gear? No problem. The guides will keep it safe and simple, exploring inbounds so you can focus on the fun. This day trip is perfect for families, and it also gives you a chance to level up your skills while enjoying some of the fluffiest powder on the planet.

Hokkaido Day Trips: Guided Skiing on Top-Notch Powder in Japan

Adventure Brochure

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Talk with us and let one of our adventure experts help you plan your perfect adventure.

Meet your guides

5.00

Paul Ellis

After seasons working in the US, Australia and Japan, as well as expeditions to the mountains of Central Asia, Paul started what was to become Whiteroom Tours in 2007 with an idea to create a website around helping those venturing into the backcountry around the world. In 2007, the first tour was run to Furano. In 2010, he founded Whiteroom Tours with the aim of showing more people the areas in Hokkaido he came to love. Today, Whiteroom Tours has grown into a Travel Agency, Tour Operator and Guiding Company with more than 50+ tours and guiding throughout Japan. Paul holds his CAA Avalanche Level 1 Professional and Wilderness First Aid certificate.

5.00

Whiteroom Tours

Whiteroom Tours was founded on the principle of creating tours & ski holidays that are fun, adventurous and allow you to experience each destination from a local’s perspective. Our team members originate from a variety of professional ski industry backgrounds but all have one very important thing in common, their love of the mountains and Japanese powder. All our guides are certified in avalanche safety management and first aid, plus with mountain guiding accreditations or ski patrol background, you can be assured you are in safe hands.

5.00 (3 reviews)

Marie Kap (source: Google Reviews)

whiteroom busted my expectations. if i could give them a 10 out of 5 i would. everything was perfect. things were easy and i could really feel like our guides were doing everything so we could have the BEST experience. they went above and beyond. mission accomplished whiteroom. you do give the best japan tours.

Dejan Tesic (source: Google Reviews)

I have done two Whiteroom tours now. I loved each and every one of them. My last tour was in Niseko, our guide was Jessie who was really great and made great effort to educate us and make the tour really fun. I highly recommend Whiteroom tours ,great time for pow skiing and plenty of time for Après-ski food/drinks.

Inglorious MB (source: Google Reviews)

If you want to ride Japan – there is no one better than whiteroom. Nobody knows the terrain and places like them! It will maximize your experience in Japan and they‘ll get you to amazing places. And lastly they‘re amazing people to ride with. 10/10

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local skiing or snowboarding guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - Itinerary of your choice, either Guided Resort Powder Discovery Day or Private Guided Backcountry Skiing
  - Niseko or Furano area accommodation pick-up/drop-off with flexible start time and transportation to the resort of choice
Add-ons:
- - Custom pick-up location
  - Avalanche safety gear rental for the Private Guided Backcountry Skiing itinerary
Not included:
- - Lift passes
  - Accommodation
  - Meals
  - Ski and snowboard equipment
  - Assurance on the day’s weather
  - Pick-up from areas other than Niseko or Furano
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Travel and medical insurance — optional
Please note: If you booked a certain ski resort and the lifts are shut that day, the guides will offer up another resort. If all available resort options are closed, the guides will try to reschedule for another day (if available), or offer you a full refund.
Guided Resort Power Discovery Day operates within resort boundaries strictly in areas where avalanche safety equipment is not required. You will stay within resort boundaries at all times. This tour is beginner-friendly and suitable for adventurers new to Hokkaido, groups, and even families with children above the age of 10.

For the Private Guided Backcountry Skiing itinerary, you must have a minimum level of high-intermediate to join the tour, which means that you need to be confident skiing in off piste powder and through trees. Avalanche safety gear is required for all skiers.

For more backcountry skiing adventures in Japan, click here!
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
- - Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboards with skins (can be rented)
  - Touring boots and ski or trekking poles (can be rented)
  - Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented)
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- - Helmet
  - Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
  - Softshell jacket and fleece jacket
  - Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Hardshell ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Sunglasses and ski goggles
  - Lightweight gloves, midweight softshell gloves, and heavyweight waterproof gloves
  - Sun hat and neck gaiter
  - 2 Water bottles (1L capacity)
  - Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
  - Food you can eat on-the-go
  - Sunscreen
  - Backpack (20-40L capacity)
  - Camera — optional
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and pricing
- - For the Guided Resort Power Discovery Day, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1.
  - For the Private Guided Backcountry Skiing, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1.
  - The Guided Resort Power Discovery Day can operate even if only one person signs up. The maximum group size is set at 4 participants.
  - The Private Guided Backcountry Skiing tour can operate even if only one person signs up. The maximum group size is set at 5 participants. Please note that this tour is reserved for private groups only!
Backcountry skiing in Japan can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors above the age of 10 may be permitted to join the: Guided Resort Power Discovery Day, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
  - Minors above the age of 15 may be permitted to join thePrivate Guided Backcountry Skiing tour, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Hokkaido ski tour is Niseko or Furano. To get there, most people fly into Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport or the Asahikawa (AKJ) Airport. From there, you can use public transport or rent a car to reach Niseko or Furano.

Once you’re there, your guides will pick you up from your accommodation. The guides will provide more info before the trip starts.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
To book a trip, please pay the full amount at the checkout.
- - Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
  - Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
  - Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.
57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.