Rob and Pawel covered:
- Why Hokkaido gets so much snow
- What makes ski touring in Hokkaido a powder chaser’s dream
- The legendary “onsen”—what are they and why should skiers care
- What sort of touring gear is best for Hokkaido
- Getting around—lifts, huts, and transportation
- How deep does it really get?!
Skiers of the world, rejoice! After two years, Japan is finally opening its borders and the island of Hokkaido is ready to share its iconic powder with the rest of us. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to earn your turns on the mountains of Japan, and whether Japow really lives up to the hype, this is just the webinar for you.
All of your burning questions and more have been answered by our two expert hosts, Rob Coppolillo and Pawel Kunachowicz, as they discussed preparations for their upcoming adventure in the northernmost province of Japan.
No topic was left untouched—hot springs, cozy huts, succulent sushi, and of course, the deepest snow on Earth!
For Pawel, this was his 12th season in Japan, while Rob was guiding there for the first time. Rob had a lot of questions, so check out this one-hour session to hear all about ski touring in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Webinar hosts
On April 20, 2024, we lost a friend. Rob Coppolillo lost his life in a ski accident in the Canadian Rockies, doing what he loved best: guiding. Rob epitomized adventure, pioneering as an AMGA and IFMGA Mountain Guide and founder of Vetta Mountain Guides. Among the first 100 Americans certified internationally, his expertise spanned three decades, guiding worldwide, from Boulder, Colorado, to Chamonix, France.Rob’s absence leaves a void felt deeply by the adventure community but his legacy of exploration and kindness will live on, reminding us to live life to the fullest. He will be deeply missed and remembered by the 57hours team.
Pawel is an IFMGA Mountain Guide and alpine ski instructor based in Chamonix. He’s been working as a professional in the mountains for over 20 years. In winter he skis off-piste and guides multi-day tours around Chamonix or the Monte Rosa massif. In summer he climbs the classic alpine routes of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and the Eiger.
