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Central Hokkaido Powder Ski Trip

The ultimate Japan ski adventure, where you’ll get to experience six incredible powder resorts

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11 days, 10 nights
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Central Hokkaido JAPAN
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LIST-ASSISTED OFF PISTE
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January to March
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From US$2,600 per person
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4-10 People

Powder Skiing and Japanese Culture

This tour offers an authentic cultural experience combined with untracked powder and minimal crowds, making it the perfect way to explore skiing and riding in Japan. Every year new terrain to is added to this ever changing and flexible itinerary. The tour covers various resorts, including Furano, Asahidake, Kamui, Tomamu, Sahoro, and Pippu, each having unique qualities, terrain, and weather patterns. With a flexible itinerary, we ensure that you experience the best conditions possible for incredable the lift-accessed off-piste powder.

A fully guided and hosted package including return airport transfers, 10 nights of shared accommodation, 8 days worth of lift passes and guiding in the Central Hokkaido region. You'll also enjoy a welcome dinner at North Country Inn, a farewell dinner in Furano town, daily cooked breakfast and an onsen tour. A truly unforgettable experience that will ensure the best powder skiing of your life!

You will vistit six resorts around Central Hokkaido in 11 days. These resorts include: Furano Ski Area, Tomamu, Kamui Ski Links, Asahidake, Tokachi Sahoro Resort and Pippu.

The advanced terrain requires skiers to have confidence skiing the entire mountain at a reasonable speed, in powder, through trees, and in variable conditions. Good fitness is also necessary. Snowboarders at this level should be able to maintain speed in flat sections, hold a solid traverse line, and maneuver without slowing down the group. Groups will be divided based on ski/board/ability levels, and some groups may involve hiking (traversing/boot packing) to reach the best areas.

This guided ski touring trip takes place December to March. Email us and we can find dates that align with your availability.

Chloe & Family, Hokkaido

The attention to detail was second to none and the excursions to onsens and authentic restaurants were excellent. The extra tips on what to take, what to wear and key Japanese phrases were all very helpful. The whole experience was enchanting & fulfilled our desire for adventure – thank you Mabey Ski!

Jenny & Bert, Hokkaido

A once-in-a-lifetime trip. Mabey Ski made very aspect of organising easy and enjoyable. A unique and magical experience!

Lucy & Chris, Hokkaido

A good mix of luxury, adventure and culture! The highlight of our trip was ski touring on Mount Yōtei. A more personable and flexible approach. Mabey Ski really focus on the small details as much as the big ones.

Danny & Amanda, Niseko/Kyoto/Tokyo

We really want to thank you for making our first visit to Japan such a memorable experience. Your knowledge of this country really made a huge difference.

Holly, Hokkaido

Had the time of my life in both Japan and New Zealand with Mabey Ski. Ski touring in Japan in the deepest powder with the most wonderful guide. Their team goes above and beyond, they think of every detail. I cannot recommend their experiences enough.

Armacell Corporate, Niseko

The whole trip was very well organised. We had no previous knowledge of Niseko and with a large group it was invaluable to have a specialist on the ground. It was completely different to anything I’ve experienced in Europe, and we were all blown away by our Japanese chef’s table experience – it was so unique, one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

The Resorts

Furano Ski Area
Furano is not like any ski town, it’s a country town that happens to have its own ski area. Things are changing as word gets out how good the ski area is, but it’s still relatively quiet most days and when we take you down into town you’ll experience an authentic Japanese night scene with lots of restaurant and bar options. On the mountain you’ll enjoy some of the best tree skiing in Hokkaido, with various backcountry access points leading you to steep faces, glades, and gullies full of fresh pow. The cold temperatures in Furano keep the 9 metres of annual snow light and dry and when its on, it is quite simply the best.


Tomamu
Tomamu strikes a cord with all who ride its mountains. With arguably the best in-bounds powder skiing in Hokkaido you’ll be wanting to come back for more. Mt. Tomamu at 1239m, offers skiers and snowboarders a wide variety of runs catering to all abilities. With 11 lifts, Tomamu has some great options.


Kamui Ski Links
Kamui is a small ski resort set on its own, 1 hour north of Furano. With 7 lifts accessing a network of wide open cruisers as well as powder filled trees and gullies, you’ll feel like your riding your own private mountain as crowds here a virtually non-existent – unless school kids on the beginner lifts count. Combine that with one of Japan’s most open ski area policies and there is enough here to suit every kind of skier and boarder.


Asahidake
Asahidake is one of the most popular touring locations in Hokkaido, due to the easy access to above tree line terrain given by the Ropeway at the bottom of the volcano (top height 1600m) and the fame of the mountain itself, which at 2290m is the highest in Hokkaido. Short hikes are often required along the ridges at the summit and there is the option of hiking around the volcano. Expect chutes, alpine bowls, massive pillows and epically deep powder. Once at the bottom, all roads lead to the Ropeway. A post ski onsen here is a must!


Tokachi Sahoro Resort
Sahoro is a resort full of surprises. From short fun shots between the lifts to a short boot pack hike to Mt Sahoro where you can enjoy a full vert tree run down to the road. With its newly expanded terrain it will  be sure to impress! It’s well protected too and is a good option when weather is variable.


Pippu
A quiet mountain and a good option when the storms are coming in. Plenty of trees to ski through, good pitch and virtually no crowds off-piste. This is a great mountain when everywhere else is busy or clapped out due to low vis or high winds.

Japanese Culture

You will have the opportunity to experience Central Hokkaido like a local on this guided ski touring trip. Furano and Asahikawa are totally unique in their own very different ways. Whilst keen skiers far and wide are slowly hearing more and more about Furano, it is still a sleepy country town without too many tourists around. You’ll spend your days skiing some of the best tree runs in Hokkaido, and evenings experiencing a more authentic side to Furano – soaking in local onsens (natural hot springs), dining at small izakayas and sampling sake in local bars.

The traditional city of Asahikawa is Hokkaido’s second biggest city, behind Sapporo, and holds the record for the coldest temperature across the whole of Japan (down to -41 degrees Celcius!). With close proximity to Daisetsuzan Asahidake, Hokkaido’s highest peak (2,291m), you’ll witness endless views from the top and ski some of the driest powder snow in the world. As you gaze down at the frozen lakes and snow-covered forests below, you’re reminded just how far away you are from the crowds. Explore the city’s local nightlife, and make sure to try a bowl of Asahikawa Ramen – one of the best noodle dishes in the world!

Overview

Upon arrival at Sapporo’s Chitose Airport, guests will be transferred to North Country Inn by Resort Liner coach service. That night, guests will meet the tour team who will provide a weather briefing, answer questions and run through the tour. If guests wish to rent ski or snowboard equipment, it is advised that they arrive with enough time to be fitted.

During the snow days, guests will be issued with any avalanche rental gear and taken through a safety briefing. The first two days will be spent exploring Furano with the guides, skiing and hunting for powder stashes. A Japanese Welcome Dinner Party will be held after the first day of skiing. Guests will also take a day tour to Kamui Ski Links, followed by a night out in town to experience a delicious meal. Another day will be spent skiing in Sahoro, followed by a night out at a restaurant. Day 5 is an optional cultural or rest day, where guests can choose to hike or relax in the onsen.

Days 6 to 10 will be spent skiing at Asahidake, Pippu, and Tomamu. The guides will take guests to explore the highest mountain in Hokkaido, Asahidake 2290m, and the backside of Kamui. Guests will ski amongst the trees at Pippu, and explore Tomamu’s awesome powder, short hikes, and deep north-facing backside. The last day of skiing will be spent in Furano, where guests can hit their favorite lines or go on a mission into the backcountry. An all-you-can-drink karaoke dinner party will be held to end the day.

PRICING

Price: From US$2,600 (based on 2 people sharing 1 room)

Included in this price:

  • Fully guided & hosted
  • Return airport transfers with Resort Liner
  • 10 nights twin/triple share accommodation at North Country Inn, Furano
  • 8 days worth of lift passes and guiding in the Central Hokkaido region
  • 1 rest day (option free ski or cultural experience day)
  • Welcome dinner at North Country Inn
  • Farewell dinner in Furano town
  • Daily cooked breakfast
  • Onsen (hotspring) tour

Looking for a powder road-trip with a twist?

This road trip embodies everything a true Mabey Ski trip is about – amazing snow, rich culture, great beer and of course a relaxing soak in a mountainside hot spring. If you’re looking for a similar trip, but skinning up mountains and volcanoes just isn’t your bag, head over to our Hokkaido Off-Piste Powder Chaser trip, which is being hosted in January 2023.

Skiing through birch trees in Hokkaido Japan