Ride Shiga Backcountry Tours

Ride Shiga can take you and your private group beyond the ski resort boundaries at Shiga Kogen (which consists of 18 ski areas), or other nearby resorts such as Nozawa Onsen, Madarao and Kijimadaira.

With competition for fresh powder becoming more prevalant, a backcountry tour is the best way to guarantee freshies. By using a combination of lifts and hiking / skinning, you can get further away from the ski areas where most people don't normally venture to. Whilst you might not get as many runs as with the Ride Shiga sidecountry and off-piste tours, the quality will be far beyond.

Depending on your experience and needs the guides will choose the right spots for you. Just do easy hikes and/or you can learn the basics of avalanche safety, how to read maps, line selection and much more. It's up to you.

Or if you want to get away from the ski areas (and other people) all together, Ride Shiga also offer guided touring days where little to no lifts are used. These tours are ideal for accessing pristine powder whilst enjoying all the mountains have to offer.
 
The season typically starts in early January (but can start earlier) depending on snow depths in the backcountry and trypically run through to early May.