What you get in this adventure: An experienced, certified English-speaking ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area 8 days of lift-accessed slackcountry skiing and ski touring Accommodation during the tour in charming lodges Most breakfasts and dinners All necessary road transportation Taxes What’s not included: International and domestic flights Bullet train/Shinkansen tickets Lunches All meals in Tokyo Beverages Technical backcountry ski touring equipment (can be rented) Lift tickets at resorts Personal expenses

How fit do I need to be?

While this skiing trip in Japan does require some experience with backcountry skiing in variable conditions, the difficulty scale isn’t that high. Most of the ski touring terrain in Japan is mellow, the slopes aren’t that steep, and the altitudes are pretty low. You will be skiing in the 1300-1500 m (4,265-4,9230 ft) range, downing mostly intermediate runs with the occasional advanced pitch, and doing plenty of treeline skiing. You have to be comfortable with multiple hours of skinning, diving into deep powder, and navigating between trees to fully enjoy the terrain.

What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

In order to join this backcountry skiing tour in Japan, you need to have previous backcountry skiing experience.

What do I need to bring?

Clothing list Wool or synthetic socks and liner socks Long underwear top — synthetic or wool Light fleece or wool sweater Wind shell — nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type jacket Waterproof breathable jacket Warm insulated jacket — down or synthetic Long underwear bottoms — synthetic or wool Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants Waterproof breathable pants Warm hat — wool or synthetic Brimmed cap for sun protection Face warmer — scarf, neck tube or balaclava (optional) Light gloves — wool, synthetic or leather Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell Spare gloves or mitts Snow Safety Equipment — can be rented Avalanche beacon with good batteries (and spares) Shovel Probe (2.4m or longer preferred) Gear — can be rented Ski helmet Skis or split board — wider, powder skis, minimum width 108mm are recommended Lightweight, touring bindings (Dynafit or ATK are best) Ski strap Ski or snowboard boots and ski crampons Poles Climbing skins Skin wax (or a candle) Binding repair kit to fix your personal travel setup Personal equipment Day pack large enough to carry things you might need throughout the day (25-40L) Durable duffel bag, preferably just one (approx. 60L) Sunglasses (both orange and dark lenses help a lot for travel in all conditions) Goggles (orange lenses) Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+) Head lamp with good batteries Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L) Lunch bag or container Personal blister kit (i.e: Leukotape-P and Compeed/Second Skin blister pads) Pocket knife — optional Camera — optional, but recommended

Can I rent equipment?

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. There are numerous rental shops in Sapporo, some of which are Sapporo Kokusai and Sapporo Teine , who have the following gear: Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel, and probe Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles Splitboards Ski rental locations are in Sapporo and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

Group sizes and prices: For this premium skiing tour in Japan, there will be two guides. The maximum group size is 12. The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

Getting there and meeting location

To start this tour, most people fly into New Chitose Airport (CTS) 45 minutes from Sapporo, Japan. Your skiing guide will meet you at the airport upon your arrival in Japan and arrange your transportation to Otaru, the starting point of the tour.

Safety measures in [LOCATION]

Use high-authority pages only! .gov is the best in this case. Use this to address general safety in the country and different insurances. We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Three people going uphill on a ski tour with fog and snow in the background.

One person skiing untracked snow through trees.

A boy walking through a snow covered street on his skis.

A zoomed out view of Niseko village at night with lights.

Water flowing into a natural hot spring during the winter.

A person in a natural hot spring while the outskirts are covered in snow.

A skier going through powder and snow covered trees.

HOKKAIDO | JAPAN

Snow, Sushi, and Hot Springs: A Ski Journey Through Japan

Dates

January 8-17, 2025

Duration

10 days

Nearest city

Sapporo, Tokyo

Hosts

Tom Wolfe, Jun Yanagisawa, Karmen Marohnić, Viktor Marohnić

Got any questions? or Talk with us

Overview
Itinerary
Brochure
Hosts
Accommodation
Things to know

You never forget your first ski trip to Japan. In 2012, we as a family went skiing in Niseko, the newcomers’ classic spot. To our surprise, and despite our considerable skiing background, skiing there felt unreal—it was the closest you can get to snow surfing! Ever since, we’ve been dreaming of going back, but this time we wanted to have an even more authentic experience. As luck would have it, in the meantime we became friends with Tom Wolfe and Jun-san, a ski guide from Japan who now lives in Vancouver. Tom and Jun know all the best secret spots in Japan to ski, eat, and relax like a local, so they helped us put this special adventure together. Knowing that our bases are now well covered, one thing’s for sure: this is going to be a trip to remember!

Book a call

Ski JaPow with locals

Ski Japan’s legendary fresh powder, considered the best on earth for a reason
Enjoy finest local food

Taste the world famous cuisine, with its unique ingredients, flavors, and history
Onsen for the senses

Nothing beats relaxing in onsens, the traditional Japanese hot spring baths

Itinerary

Viktor, a 57hours founder, and his wife Karmen, partnered up with Tom and Jun, seasoned ski guides, to create a special tour of the northernmost island of Japan. Thanks to the guides’ expertise in navigating Japan’s best secret skiing spots, this will surely be a trip to remember—in the course of 10 days, the plan is to surf fresh powder, eat the finest local food, and relax in onsens, Japanese hot spring baths.

Fly into Japan a day before your ski trip, and meet your backcountry skiing guide in Echigo-Yuzawa (80 minute bullet train “Shinkansen” ride from Tokyo). Once you get to your accommodation, get to know your guide and group, make yourself comfortable and get ready for a quintessential ski touring adventure in Japan!
Your Japan ski trip itinerary starts off with a bang in Tenjindaira! You’ll find fantastic terrain for all ski levels here, with easy sidecountry access, tons of secret pow stashes, and some of the best snow on the island. The soaring views will serve as an epic backdrop. After a day on the slopes, return to Yuzawa. Admire the views of surrounding mountains, sample the excellent local sushi and draft beer, or hang out at one of the local whiskey or sake bars. You’ll spend the night here and recharge for your next adventure.
Your ski trip continues in Kagura, with graduated terrain perfect for leveling up your backcountry skills. Choose between mellow groomers, tougher non-groomed runs, or vertical lines in avalanche control areas! Once you’re off the slopes, relax and spend the night at Wadagoya mountain hut high on the mountain. Wadagoya is located in the heart of the Mt. Naeba area, at 1380 meters/4528 ft, providing stunning views of the mountain range surrounding Yuzawa. It offers all the usual amenities, combining the best parts of European huts and traditional Japanese Minshuku guesthouses.
After a morning of skiing at Kagura, take a bullet train to Tokyo. Go out for a group dinner and regain energy in your accommodation before you head for Hokkaido.

Your guide will choose the accommodation based on the wishes of the group. Options include the Imperial Hotel Tokyo and Homeikan Ryokan.
After breakfast, pack up and travel north to Sapporo via bullet train or plane. Sapporo is a very interesting city full of great dining and things to see. It will be the perfect base as it has superb access to a wide variety of ski terrain. Spend the night at a local hotel and prepare for three days of shredding some of the best powder in the world!
Spend the final three days of your Japan ski trip in Hokkaido, renowned for its long runs, panoramic views and 8 meters of snowfall per season. The runs are steep and fast — you’ll really end your ski trip with a bang! Spend your final few evenings in Japan exploring Sapporo, visit local bars and restaurants, or check out local attractions like the Tanuki Koji shopping street, Ramen Alley, Susukino district or the historical village of Hokkaido.
Like all good things, your ski trip in Japan has come to an end. Say “sayonara” to the Land of the Rising Sun and head back home with a JaPow addiction and plenty of good memories. See you soon!

Meet your hosts

Tom Wolfe

IFMGA/ACMG Certified Guide

Tom Wolfe is an ACMG/IFMGA-certified mountain guide who’s been guiding since moving to Canmore in 1995, the place he calls home. His winters consist of a mix of ski guiding at lodges, heli-ski operations, and remote backcountry destinations throughout western Canada. During the warmer months, Tom spends his days on water. He is a certified Paddle Canada Moving Water Canoe Instructor and Wilderness Canoe Guide.

Jun Yanagisawa

Ski Guide ACMG

Born and raised in Tokyo, Jun has been an avid skier ever since his childhood. In search of wilderness, he eventually moved to Whistler, BC, where he has worked for close to 30 years in the ski and tourism industry, going back and forth between his native Japan and Canada’s heli and ski-touring world.

Karmen Marohnić

As one of the 57hours founders, Karmen is always ready to try a new sport or explore a new part of the world. From backcountry skiing in British Columbia to kitesurfing in Peru and mountain biking in France, Karmen loves to venture into unknown adventures.

Viktor Marohnić

57hours founder Viktor is a passionate skier, climber, surfer, and a serial entrepreneur. What he enjoys most is showing people how great the outdoor lifestyle can be—this has led him to start 57hours, as a way to share his passion for the outdoors. Viktor is based in NYC, but he's adventuring around the globe.

Accommodation

Asahidake Onsen Yumoto Yukomanso

Existing in harmony with its surrounding lush landscapes of the Daisetsu range and Mt. Asahidake, this wooden inn offers a calming retreat after a day out in the snow. All rooms are carefully designed to ensure a relaxing stay.

The best part of this inn might just be its onsens—there are 17 different baths and five hot spring sources. Located on the Yukomansou grounds, this hot water bubbling up from sources is unique. Each bath is fully supplied with this water. As it’s rich in minerals, all dishes are prepared with this water, and it’s what we’ll drink while we’re there.

There is also a terrific restaurant in the inn, where the chef creates dishes with seasonal products, and the focus is on Yushoku-zen—a meal specially created to be a wonderful combination of the flavor as well as the appearance.

Ryounkaku

At 4,200 ft on top of Mount Tokachidake, Ryounkaku is the highest hotel in Hokkaido! Featuring both outdoor and indoor hot spring baths, guests can relax while taking a dip and enjoying panoramic mountain views. There’s also a hot tub, a lounge, and a sauna.

Both Japanese-style (with tatami floors and futon bedding) and Western-style rooms are available. All rooms offer wonderful views of the surrounding forests. There is also a restaurant serving delicious traditional food.

Tsubame Highland Lodge

Nestled in Myoko National Park, Tsubame Highland Lodge provides an ideal blend of comfort and convenience. The lodge features rooms with nature and forest views, some Japanese style with traditional futon bedding on a tatami floor, some classic Western style with beds.

There are both outdoor and indoor hot spring baths, as well as a bar and delicious Japanese food every day.

Things to know

What you get in this adventure:
- - An experienced, certified English-speaking ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 8 days of lift-accessed slackcountry skiing and ski touring
  - Accommodation during the tour in charming lodges
  - Most breakfasts and dinners
  - All necessary road transportation
  - Taxes
What’s not included:
- - International and domestic flights
  - Bullet train/Shinkansen tickets
  - Lunches
  - All meals in Tokyo
  - Beverages
  - Technical backcountry ski touring equipment (can be rented)
  - Lift tickets at resorts
  - Personal expenses
While this skiing trip in Japan does require some experience with backcountry skiing in variable conditions, the difficulty scale isn’t that high. Most of the ski touring terrain in Japan is mellow, the slopes aren’t that steep, and the altitudes are pretty low.

You will be skiing in the 1300-1500 m (4,265-4,9230 ft) range, downing mostly intermediate runs with the occasional advanced pitch, and doing plenty of treeline skiing. You have to be comfortable with multiple hours of skinning, diving into deep powder, and navigating between trees to fully enjoy the terrain.
In order to join this backcountry skiing tour in Japan, you need to have previous backcountry skiing experience.
Clothing list
- - Wool or synthetic socks and liner socks
  - Long underwear top — synthetic or wool
  - Light fleece or wool sweater
  - Wind shell — nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type jacket
  - Waterproof breathable jacket
  - Warm insulated jacket — down or synthetic
  - Long underwear bottoms — synthetic or wool
  - Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants
  - Waterproof breathable pants
  - Warm hat — wool or synthetic
  - Brimmed cap for sun protection
  - Face warmer — scarf, neck tube or balaclava (optional)
  - Light gloves — wool, synthetic or leather
  - Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell
  - Spare gloves or mitts
Snow Safety Equipment — can be rented
- - Avalanche beacon with good batteries (and spares)
  - Shovel
  - Probe (2.4m or longer preferred)
Gear — can be rented
- - Ski helmet
  - Skis or split board — wider, powder skis, minimum width 108mm are recommended
  - Lightweight, touring bindings (Dynafit or ATK are best)
  - Ski strap
  - Ski or snowboard boots and ski crampons
  - Poles
  - Climbing skins
  - Skin wax (or a candle)
  - Binding repair kit to fix your personal travel setup
Personal equipment
- - Day pack large enough to carry things you might need throughout the day (25-40L)
  - Durable duffel bag, preferably just one (approx. 60L)
  - Sunglasses (both orange and dark lenses help a lot for travel in all conditions)
  - Goggles (orange lenses)
  - Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+)
  - Head lamp with good batteries
  - Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L)
  - Lunch bag or container
  - Personal blister kit (i.e: Leukotape-P and Compeed/Second Skin blister pads)
  - Pocket knife — optional
  - Camera — optional, but recommended
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. There are numerous rental shops in Sapporo, some of which are Sapporo Kokusai and Sapporo Teine, who have the following gear:
- - Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel, and probe
  - Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles
  - Splitboards
Ski rental locations are in Sapporo and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
Group sizes and prices:
- - For this premium skiing tour in Japan, there will be two guides. The maximum group size is 12.
  - The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
To start this tour, most people fly into New Chitose Airport (CTS) 45 minutes from Sapporo, Japan. Your skiing guide will meet you at the airport upon your arrival in Japan and arrange your transportation to Otaru, the starting point of the tour.
Use high-authority pages only! .gov is the best in this case. Use this to address general safety in the country and different insurances.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.

With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
A 15% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

Have more questions? Read our FAQ, or Talk with us