Itinerary
The Unknown Powder Tour
RESORT, SIDE-COUNTRY & BACKCOUNTRY / GUIDED & HOSTED for 7 days
This is a tour with no set itinerary. You simply follow the snow to the best of the best over seven days. All you know is that you begin in Niseko (western Hokkaido) and end in Sapporo City (central Hokkaido) and in between you will be riding the deepest snow on the island. What more do you need to know?
Now..the local partner we are with in this instance ski hard. They are the most reputable and longest-standing touring company in Niseko and they are single-minded in approach - they will put as much as is humanly possible in to seven days on the mountains. As they say themselves; " this is the type of holiday that you go back to work to recover from".
We've added on a few days in Tokyo to begin with - time to explore and get your body in sync with the local time - and then you join the small group in Niseko for three nights, before heading off to....well, who knows! We know you'll be back in Sapporo City several days later, so a hotel is booked and your flights home to the UK. Other than that, you're in their very experienced and capable hands.
Each day you will be equipped with a full set of backcountry touring equipment, two guides, and use road-shuttles from resorts to off piste terrain not found on ski maps, and then skin to backcountry stashes. But with these guys a simple drive is never quite just that; along the way they are likely to pull off the road at local hills to build kickers or hit enticing roadside pillows. And after you come off the mountain each day they'll take you to the best local's restaurants, enjoy the onsens (hot springs), and of course head out on the town to experience Japanese some quirky Japanese nightlife.
Pack light, drink plenty fo energy drinks and brace yourself for early mornings and late nights.
Day-By-Day Itinerary
DATES, COST & INCLUSIONS
DATES
18th December 2020 - 30th December January 2020
30th December 2020 - 11th January 2021
14th February - 26th February 2021
COST
£4,444 per person* / single supplement = £650
*note that this cost may vary and this is usually down to the costs of the international flights. This is more likely over Christmas / New Year or other peak dates. We will confirm the price if you call us (or email) to check availability.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
International flights on British Airways.
Domestic flights in Japan on Japan Airlines.
2 nights in the Kadoya Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Twin share. Breakfast is included.
8 nights accommodation in Niseko and elsewhere on Hokkaido Island. Twin share. Breakfast is included.
1 night in the ANA Holiday Inn in Susukino, Sapporo City. Twin share. Breakfast is included.
7 days ski guiding on Hokkaido Island.
6 days lift tickets.
avalanche safety equipment.
all transportation, including airport shuttle from Sapporo Chitose to Niseko**.
NOT INCLUDED
Rental equipment. Touring gear is required but not included in the trip price.
** not including transfers in Tokyo, which are easily organised locally.
** not including transport from Sapporo Hotel to Sapporo Chitose Airport, best organised (cheaply) locally.
ACCOMMODATION & ABILITY REQUIREMENTS
ACCOMMODATION
Kadoya Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
8 nights in various hotels and lodges on Hokkaido Island. We don't know where yet, because it all depends where you head (after Niseko). It will be clean, comfortable, and probably quite charming...but often reasonably basic. But no dormitory's and nothing nightmare'ish. Breakfast will be included.
Holiday Inn ANA Susukino, Sapporo.
SKI / SNOWBOARD ABILITY REQUIREMENTS
5:1 Client to Guide ratio (i.e. two guides will accompany the group, if full).
Skill Level: advanced / expert in powder
You must have a good level of fitness and you must be able to ski the whole mountain with confidence and at a reasonable speed in powder, through trees and in variable conditions.
This is an important consideration as no one wants to be in over their head, holding up a group or conversely spend their day standing around waiting for others to make it down the mountain.