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Self-Guided Ski Touring in Japan: Aomori & Hakkoda
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Acknowledgement of risks and waiver agreement

Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. For this trip, acknowledging the risks and agreeing to sign the waiver is mandatory before the trip. This is required in order to join the adventure—so we ask you to check the box below if you agree with it.

You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip. If you have any questions, please reach out to us prior to booking or learn more about this in the Things to know (FAQ) section.

Add more flexibility to your trip

Things come up, and sometimes plans need to be changed. Check out our flexible cancellation options. Booking fees are non-refundable after 48hours in all cases.
57hours flexibility options
Deposits

When booking a trip, you can either pay for it in full or reserve your spot with a 30% deposit. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

After 48 hours, booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. You can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.
Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Super Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Summary
Self-Guided Ski Touring in Japan: Aomori & Hakkoda
Itinerary
Self-Guided Ski Touring in Japan: Aomori & Hakkoda
Date(s)
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People
1 Person
  • Self-Guided Ski Touring in Japan: Aomori & Hakkoda - 1
    -
    Subtotal
    Booking fees
    Group discount
    People
    Cancellation policy
Cancel in the first 48h for free
Reserve your spot with a minimum deposit
Travel and medical insurance available

  • This self-guided ski touring Japan trip covers two of the country's most rewarding and least-known ski destinations over eight days. For the first half, you'll be based in Hirosaki and day-trip to Aomori Springs, a resort that serves as a gateway to lift-assisted backcountry on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Iwaki. The second half shifts to Hakkoda, a ropeway-accessed powder paradise with virtually no groomed terrain and limitless backcountry potential. A rental van, local accommodation, daily avalanche forecasts from a certified forecaster, and detailed snowpack reviews are all arranged, giving you everything you need to explore this corner of Japan confidently and on your own terms.

    • You’ll spend your first four days based in Hirosaki, a mid-sized city in Aomori Prefecture with one of northern Japan’s most celebrated food scenes. Each ski day brings a short drive to Aomori Springs resort, set on the northern slopes of Mt. Iwaki, a dormant volcano locally known as the Tsugaru Fuji. The lifts unlock extensive lift-assisted backcountry: long, consistent fall-line runs through perfectly spaced trees, soft snow, and wide views stretching to the coast. When the skies clear, a summit push on Iwaki opens up full alpine terrain above the tree line. Evenings in Hirosaki are yours to explore.

      Meals: Breakfast
      Accommodation: Hotel in Hirosaki

      Powder skier speedy in Japan

    • Hakkoda is not a ski resort in any traditional sense. A single ropeway accesses the backcountry terrain above a ring road that circles a cluster of volcanic peaks, and with only two groomed runs in the whole area, everything else is open mountain. You’ll have three full ski days to explore at your own pace, with daily avalanche forecasts and snowpack briefings pointing you toward the best conditions. Each evening, a soak in an onsen, dinners of ramen, sushi, and sake, and a look at the next day’s snow report close out the day perfectly.

      Meals: Breakfast, dinner
      Accommodation: Hotel in Hakkoda

      Mountain top in Japan

    • Included:

        • 8-day self-guided ski touring Japan adventure
        • Accommodation: 4 nights in a hotel in Hirosaki and 4 nights in a hotel at Hakkoda (double occupancy)
        • Meals: 7 breakfasts & 4 dinners
        • Rental van for the full duration of the trip
        • Daily avalanche hazard briefing and snowpack review from a certified avalanche forecaster
        • Detailed logistics package with route information and area guides
        • Adventure sports swag

      Add-ons:

        • Single occupancy room — please leave a note at checkout if interested

      Not included:

        • Flights & airport transfers
        • Personal ski and safety equipment (touring skis or splitboard, boots, poles, skins, transceiver, shovel, probe)
        • Lift tickets and ropeway fees
        • Meals not indicated in the “Included” section above
        • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
        • Insurance — mandatory, available to add at checkout

    • This self-guided ski touring Japan trip is designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and splitboarders with existing touring or splitboarding experience. You should be comfortable skinning uphill for extended periods and skiing variable backcountry conditions, including powder, crust, and wind-affected snow. 

      Aomori Springs uses ski lifts to access the backcountry, while Hakkoda involves more demanding ropeway-accessed exploration. You don’t need to be a professional athlete, but solid technique and good physical fitness are essential, as routes are self-navigated and mountain conditions can change quickly.

      Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more backcountry skiing adventures in Japan 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 prior to booking.

    • Ski & splitboard equipment:

        • Touring skis or splitboard
        • Touring boots
        • Poles
        • Climbing skins, cut and fitted to your skis before the trip
        • Ski crampons

      Snow safety equipment:

        • 3-antenna digital avalanche transceiver
        • Shovel and probe
        • Helmet (recommended)

      Backcountry gear:

        • Ski pack
        • Sunglasses and goggles
        • Sunscreen and lip balm
        • Headlamp with spare batteries
        • Ski straps
        • Water bottle or thermos (1-2L)
        • Packed lunch supplies

      Ski and boarding clothing:

        • Wool or synthetic ski socks, at least 2 pairs
        • Wool or synthetic base layers
        • Light jacket
        • Gore-Tex or equivalent jacket and pants
        • Warm insulated outer jacket, down or synthetic fill
        • Beanie, wool or synthetic
        • Brimmed cap
        • Face warmer
        • Light gloves
        • Insulated gloves or mitts

      Other clothing:

        • Casual clothing for evenings out
        • Comfortable footwear for evenings
        • Slippers
        • Bathing suit (for the onsen)
        • Sleepwear

      Electronics:

        • Mobile phone with charger and headphones
        • Camera, optional
        • Spare batteries or portable power pack
        • Spare memory cards as needed
        • Electrical adapter (Japan uses Type A plugs, 100V / 50-60 Hz)

      Travel documents and personal items:

        • Passport and wallet
        • Spare credit card
        • Travel insurance info and itinerary
        • Medications
        • Blister kit if prone to blisters
        • Toiletry bag

      Luggage:

        • Boot bag (may be part of your ski/snowboard bag)
        • Ski or snowboard bag, preferably wheeled
        • Carry-on bag

      Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!

    • Self-guided tours are perfect for those who enjoy exploring on their own terms—at their own pace, and with the company they choose. By joining this self-guided ski touring Japan adventure, we take care of lodging, meals, rental van, daily avalanche hazard briefing and snowpack review, and a detailed logistics package.

      Rather than joining a guided group, you’ll navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the tour operator. For a hassle-free journey with everything arranged for you in advance, there’s no better option!

      As a self-guided tour is built around your preferred travel dates, your guide will take care of arranging accommodations and details after you book. Note that exact accommodations and dates might shift slightly, so don’t make any travel arrangements until the details of your adventure are confirmed.

    • Group sizes and pricing

        • This tour can operate even with only 1 participant. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants.

      A ski touring Japan adventure 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.

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

    • The price for this ski touring Japan adventure is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. If interested, please leave a note at checkout.

    • The starting point of your ski touring Japan adventure is Hirosaki. To get there, most people fly into Aomori Airport (AOJ). From there, you can take a limousine bus or a taxi to reach Hirosaki.

    • Insurance is mandatory for this ski touring adventure in Japan. 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.

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