This is a perfect outfit for a fun day on fresh lines. If you know how to have fun in powder and enjoy some tree runs that aren't steep, definitely come here. It's also great if you have a crew with different levels of powder ability, it's mellow enough for beginners and has a few fun features if you've been riding for a while.
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Really great day at Chisenupuri. Weather was relatively clear and snow was good. A little wind affected at the top but fantastic on the way down. Fresh tracks every run.
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First, the good. HBC was great, quick communication, easy and one-time logistics, and smooth guiding/patrolling for the day. I'd do something with them again, but definitely not this. The cat they were using was super nice and comfy w/airplane style seats for 12. I've been cat skiing once before in BC and this was a much more relaxed experience with only 12 in a group which is nice. We did a bunch of runs. The reason why it's so relaxed with so many runs is also my main gripe, and that's the terrain of the mountain (Chisenupuri) they run the cat on. Granted, it's early season and not all opened up yet, but what we skied/rode all day was pretty weak at best. After skiing waist deep pow in the much steeper treed terrain at a nearby resort all week, I wished I hadn't splurged to ride much flatter terrain. Looking at the mountain, the east side looks to have a more consistent and steeper pitch, but alas, it's too early for this side. The west/front side was super short pitches and/or flat outruns. If you're a beginner who is new to powder/trees this is a good spot to learn. If it hasn't snowed a bunch in a few days there's probably some guaranteed freshies, but just be ready for very tame terrain. The positive of that it's that it's super safe, so the guides just kinda sweep and you can go where you like. Pow is always fun, but if you're an advanced skier or rider I'd recommend going ski touring somewhere steeper or sniff out the goods at the resorts to save some loot. Definitely ask what's open, because if it's not the whole zone it's definitely a bit repetitive with very, very mellow terrain. Basically felt like doing green runs in deep pow, so basically going straight most of the time w/a few turns. Meh.
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Absolute pearler of a day, weathered lined up and it was on. Guides were legends. Terrain was nothing hectic but plenty of features and trees to have fun on. Would definitely recommend to anyone of any level. Only down full is that if you wanted to hit the onsen they offer it will cost you a couple of runs.
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What a great experience! Super fun, low consequence, fluffy terrain. The team members were pros and made the day a highlight of our trip. We had ripping skiers, new powder skiers and snowboarders - there was something for our whole group.

They are short runs - but you get a lot for your money.

Make sure you don’t book on a Tuesday if you want the Onsen experience. We were bummed to miss it.
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Had a great day of untracked knee deep powder. Some runs were down the old ski field groomers and many involved well spaced trees.
I would say the the gradient and technicality of the runs would suit beginners to intermediate skiers, however we all had a great time because untracked powder is always enjoyable.
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A great day at Chise started with a friendly pick-up from our hotel by Tony. After a brief greet and orientation with the international crew it was time to hit the powder. Runs were short but awesome. We had 3-4 days of snowfall prior to our day and no-one on the mountain the day before, so the powder was deep and fresh. This was my first "back-country" experience, and while the runs were officially "unguided" there was always someone around the two times I needed to be fished out of the powder after a big fall. My travel partner had prior back country experience on big mountains and even he thought the day was awesome.
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Worst Snowfall year in decades for japan so we didn’t have any fresh overnight but the snow we did have wasn’t trekked out at all. First tracks through most of it. Just a couple days old so it wasn’t the light fluffy stuff they’re famous for. Reminded me a bit of the heavy wet snow typical of Whistler. Snowcats were fast, spacious and reliable. Our guides English was pretty poor but once they showed you the left and right boundary you didn’t really need to know what he was saying. Terrain was not steep at all but had a plethora of pillows in powder fields, some awesome tree sections and overall very fun, long, lines. We did the true backcountry cat skiing with Rising Sun 2 days later in 18+ inches of fresh snow and to be honest we had more fun on the pillows and longer runs here at Chisenupuri. Logged 11,600 vertical feet on 11 runs here, compared to 5,600 feet on 9 runs on the Rising Sun day. Food was better here too, hot beef or pork on rice with soup and beer. On our way to lunch he took us down a different face that had deeeeep, light, fluffy JaPOW which was amazing. But we only rode it that one time.
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Despite early season (still lots of bamboo) had a great time.
Brought a friend who was getting accustomed to powder skiing- perfect for him - not too steep.
Amazing pillows/features to launch off. Best lines seems to be to skiers left (open trees, fun kickers).
Nice CAT.
Amazing staff.
Delicious lunch.
Guides are great-there to facilitate but not get in your way.
Price increased from 2019 to 2020 season so value not as good as previous.
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Kyle, Chase, Hiro and the rest of the crew are amazing! These guys will make sure you have an amazing day of skiing starting by picking you up at your lodge. Make sure you follow your ski patrollers to get the lay of the land. Then have all the fun you can (no shortage of things to huck off of) before skiing to the onsen. This is a great company and I highly suggest booking your trip with them.
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