Included:

• • An experienced & IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 11-day Honshu, Japan skiing tour
  • Accommodation for 10 nights in authentic ryokans, double occupancy
  • All breakfasts and dinners (except in Yuzawa)
  • All necessary transfers during the tour
  • Taxes
  • Group gear (altimeter, map and compass, GPS, snow study kit, snow and/or bush saw, group first aid kit, emergency tarp, emergency toboggan, group repair kit, radio & satellite phone)

Not included:

• • Transportation to Japan & starting/end point
  • Lift tickets
  • Lunches & drinks
  • Personal expenses
  • Insurance — available to add at checkout
  • Guide gratuities — optional

In order to join this Honshu skiing adventure, you have to have prior backcountry skiing experience.

You should be comfortable with daily elevation gains of 1,300-1,500 m (4.265-4,920 ft). Most ski runs will be of intermediate difficulty, but you can expect regular sections of advanced terrain, including steeper tree skiing and challenging alpine conditions such as hardpack and sastrugi.

It’s also recommended to have taken an AST-1 course prior to the trip.

For more ski adventures in Japan, click here!

Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking.

Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver. During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip.

Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.

You need to bring all of the following personal equipment. Please don’t bring extra equipment. If you’re not a fan of traveling by train with all your luggage, check out Yamato / Black Cat Luggage Services. Japan has an outstanding luggage transport service so you don’t have to drag your luggage along with you through the train stations.

Clothing

• • 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
  • Handkerchief for blocking the sun (optional)

Snow safety equipment

• • Avalanche beacon with good batteries (and spares)
  • Shovel
  • Probe (2.8 m or longer preferred)

Travel equipment

• • Skis (100 to 125 mm in the waist recommended) or splitboard (a powder board, of course!)
  • Ski strap
  • Ski or snowboard boots
  • Poles
  • Climbing skins
  • Skin wax (or a candle)
  • Binding repair kit to fix your personal travel setup
  • Ski helmet (optional)

Personal equipment

• • Ski pack (30-35 L)
  • Sunglasses (both orange and dark lenses help for travel in all conditions)
  • Goggles (orange lenses)
  • Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+)
  • Headlamp with good batteries
  • Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L)
  • Lunch bag or container
  • Personal blister kit (e.g., Leukotape-P and Compeed/Second Skin blister pads)
  • Pocket knife (optional)
  • Camera (optional)
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Utility cord for hanging items to dry (very helpful in your cabin)
  • Prusik cord — 5 m of 6 mm (optional, for contributing to emergency toboggan construction)

Apres ski, hotel/ryokan, etc.

• • Duffle bag to contain your clothes in your room
  • Shoes
  • Comfortable clothing for travel and something nice for restaurants
  • Personal medications and toiletries
  • Ear plugs
  • Reading material
  • Chargers and adapters for electronic devices (Japan’s AC power is 100V and generally compatible with most chargers)
  • Some Japanese yen in cash – it’s recommended to have about 20,000 yen, as many places in Japan still do not accept credit cards. You can exchange at the airport.

Pillows, duvets, bed linen, and towels are provided at all ryokans and hotels. Slippers are also available at the ryokans.

Group sizes and pricing

• • For this Honshu, Japan ski adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1. 
  • The maximum group size is set at 10 participants.

Honshu, Japan ski adventures 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 younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Honshu, Japan ski adventures on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

The starting point of your Honshu, Japan ski adventure is Yuzawa. To get there, most people fly into Haneda Airport (HND), Narita Airport (NRT), or Niigata Airport (KIJ). From Tokyo (Haneda or Narita), you can take a train to Tokyo Station and then board the Jōetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa. From Niigata, it’s a short bus ride to Niigata Station, followed by about 40 minutes on the same Shinkansen line.

Once in Echigo-Yuzawa, local buses, shuttles, or taxis can take you to Hotel Futaba at Echigo-Yuzawa Station. That’s where you’ll meet your guide at 6:30pm for dinner on Day 1. Check-in is available from 4pm onwards.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.