Otaru Powder Tours – Off-Piste & Backcountry

Otaru Powder Guides are based in Otaru year-round and offer both off-piste and backcountry guiding at the ski areas and mountains near the small city of Otaru and Kiroro. The region is renowned for receiving HUGE amounts of snow, and with varied terrain, there are options for great skiing and snowboarding (or splitboarding) in the off-piste, sidecountry (lift-accessed backcountry) and backcountry.

Otaru Powder Guides offer single day or multi-day guiding, and offer transport services with a pick-up and drop-off to/from your accommodation in Otaru or your accommodation in Kiroro. There is also the option to visit an onsen on the way home after a day on the slopes.

Guiding Locations & Terrain

The guiding could be in the off-piste (ie in-bounds at a ski resort) zones, the sidecountry (backcountry close to the ski area), and in the backcountry. The terrain chosen will be dependent on your objectives e.g. do you want to put in minimal effort to score powder or do you want to hike or skin? It will also depend on the weather and whether any lifts may be on wind-hold, and of course on the snow and avalanche conditions. The guides may need to alter plans if they encounter adverse conditions that may put guests at undue risk, as safety is the top priority.

Ski areas may include Kiroro, Kokusai, Teine, Tengu and Asari, which are all within 45 minutes drive of Otaru.

For human powered backcountry tours, the lifts can be used for initial access or there are plenty of mountains to the south that are the perfect playground for the discerning powder hound.

If you have any questions about terrain you can get in contact here.

Private Groups

Day guiding is only for private groups ie where you pull together your own group. This is ideal for group cohesion and ensures that you’re aware of everyone’s ability levels, fitness levels and objectives, and sense of adventure.

For resort based powder tours, the private group size is 1 to 6 and can include children.

Backcountry tours are for private groups of 1 to 5 people.

Ability Level

The private tours can be matched to the ability of the group which could include strong intermediates, advanced, and expert skiers and riders.

Backcountry experience is preferred but not necessarily required and you may wish your guide to assist with coaching about avalanche safety or backcountry touring as part of your day/days.

If you’re new to the backcountry, OTG also offer introduction to the backcountry tours which cover off using gear and the basics about the snowpack and terrain selection.

If you have any questions or want to ask about availability, you can make a booking request.

Equipment

The equipment required will depend on your objectives.

For in-bounds resort tours, avalanche safety gear may not be required, whilst for any backcountry riding, a backpack with shovel and probe and an avalanche transceiver are required. If you don’t have your own safety equipment, this can be rented.

If you’re aiming to go touring, skis with touring bindings or splitboard, skins, and extendable powder poles are required.