Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival

• The staff will transfer you from the airport to the house
• The guides will set up the equipment
• You'll be taken to dinner

Day 2 - Rusutsu

• Rusutsu has the best tree skiing on the island and great backcountry options
• After skiing there will be an avalanche awareness presentation you will learn how to navigate safely through backcountry terrain so you can go ski touring in the upcoming days.

Day 3 - Moiwa

• Moiwa is a powder gem where there's a high chance of fresh lines
• You will practice beacon search after skiing.
• Evening onsen

Day 4 - Niseko Back Bowls

• Niseko is famous for a reason — comprised of 4 resorts (Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, and Annupurri). While very popular, if you know where to go, you can still score some of the best lines on Hokkaido especially from the peak of Annupuri.
• Optional night skiing at Niseko

Day 5 - Kiroro

• Kiroro receives the same amount of white goods and is still relatively undiscovered.
• Some of the guides have experience as ski-instructors too, so they can offer video analysis of your technique and give you tips for improving your skiing/riding in deep snow if you wish
• Optional karaoke night

Day 6 - Day Off or Unguided Skiing Day

• You can enjoy the Niseko/Moiwa area unguided, take the day off and chill, or visit the Whiskey Distillery or Otaru.
• For guests who choose a shorter camp and do not want to have a rest day, there are 2 options:
  • 1) Unguided skiing day in a nearby ski resort  
  • 2) If there are at least 5 people interested, we can arrange guided skiing with a supplement

Day 7 - Backcountry Day Mt Yotei

• Pending weather and snow conditions, you will hike up Mt. Yotei volcano and get to ski inside the crater. 1500 vertical meter descent down - Yotei will be the highlight of your Japanese trip.
• This tour takes from 4 – 6 hours and can be avoided by taking a resort day.
• Onsen in the evening

Day 8 - Sapporo Kokusai 

• Gondola serviced Kokusai is not in the scope of freeride crowds. It has some amazing off-piste and great access to the backcountry.

Day 9 - Sapporo Teine

• Teine has the steepest terrain in Hokkaido and amazing ocean views.

Day 10 - Backcountry Day in SW Hokkaido

• This is a fave backcountry option where the group will go car lapping (using van instead of lift) or the guides will show you a line all the way to the ocean.
• Evening party in Sapporo

Day 11 - Departure

• Transfer to airport to fly back home or stay in Japan for more powder

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided at 2 lodgings in the town of Kutchan, which is in the Niseko area, and walking distance of local izakayas, restaurants, bars, and grocery stores. Both houses are of equal quality and standard.

The first option is a modern Japanese pension featuring a cool dining area with a fireplace, perfect for cozy evenings with fellow guests over a beer or local whiskey. The pension includes two bathrooms with a shower, and a fully equipped kitchen. Everyone can cook in the kitchen and you can store food in the fridge. There are 4 bedrooms. Breakfasts are prepared by the chef.

The second accommodation is a small hotel, just a four-minute walk from the previous accommodation. Here, each room has an en-suite bathroom and you also have a small fridge and a kettle in the room. The hotel also features a small restaurant and is located right next to a 7/11 convenience store which often comes in handy. There is also a washing machine to use. Guests staying here can also use facilities from the pension and hang out in the common area in the evening. Guests are staying in twin rooms.

On the last night you'll stay in a 3 star hotel in Sapporo in the Susukino district, which is a hotpot of bars and restaurants.

Rate, Inclusions & Add-Ons

2025 Rates

€2890 (8 ski days)

€3090 (9 ski days)

• rates are per person
• base/invoice currency is in EURO. Convert to your currency here>>

Inclusions

• 9 or 10 nights accommodation
• Mountain guiding (UIAGM qualified)
• Lift passes on guided days
• Breakfasts
• Van transport
• Free rental of skis and boards (Kaestle skis, Nitro and Gara boards)
• Use of avalanche equipment (shovel, probe, beacon, backpack)
• Avalanche training session
• Ski technique coaching (optional)

Add-ons

• Optional cat skiing

Not Included

• Flights in/out of Sapporo - search for cheapest flights here & book online
• Travel insurance - buy online here
• Lunches and dinners
• Train from Sapporo to New Chitose Airport

Sherpas Ride Terms & Conditions

Payments and Bookings

Any Member willing to participate at any Event has to make an obligatory booking, confirmed by agreeing to the Terms & Conditions and covering an advance payment for the respective Event. The advance payment of 50% from the total cost of any Event is due within 7 days after a booking is made. The balance of the total cost of the Event must be paid no later than 10 weeks before departure. In case the booking is made after the standard due date of the balance payment, the full cost must be paid within 7 days after the respective booking was made. If the balance is not paid in time the Association reserves the right to cancel the booking and forfeit the advance payment.

Costs

The costs of all Events facilitated by the Association, together with Events’ program are described at the Association websites. The costs do not cover additional fees and parts of the program that are not described at the Association websites, namely: individual insurance, flight tickets, compensations for not participating at the whole program of an Event and compensations for lifts or cable cars closure in the venue where the respective Event takes place. The cost of the sport Event is to be paid via a bank transfer to the Association bank account. The banking details will be sent to the Members after their booking is made.

Individual Cancellation

The Association advises the Members to arrange individual cancellation insurance. In case Members want to cancel their participation at any Event, such information must be sent to the Association’s management via an email. After a cancellation email is received, the Association will charge the respective Member with cancellation fees according to the date when the cancellation was made.

The Cancellation Fees

if the cancellation is made:

• More than 10 weeks before the Event starts – the advanced payment is forfeited
• 31 days – 10 weeks – 75% of the total cost
• 0-30 days – 100% of the total cost
• Not showing at the event – 100% of the total cost 

*that said, Association always tries to find a replacement for the Member to be able to refund him/her in full.

Event Cancellation

Every Event can only take place if there are enough Members participating. The Association is obliged to inform its Members via an email, shall there not be the minimum participation necessary for the respective Event to take place reached, no later than 10 days before the respective Event should start. In the above-described event, the Association will refund the whole payment to those Members whose Event was canceled. The Association permits its Members to buy any travel tickets or accommodation (in case of an Event where no accommodation is provided by the Association) connected to the Event only when the minimum participation is reached. The Association claims its right to cancel or terminate an Event in case of a force majeure that prevents the Event to take place or threatens the safety of the Members at any time prior to the Event or during the already started Event itself. In case an Event is canceled or terminated due to the above-described reasons, the Association will refund the Members with the cost of the Event reduced by the expenditures the Association already made prior to the cancellation/termination.

In case of Event cancellation or cancellation of part of the Event's program (e.g. Guide's injury), Association is obliged to deliver agreed features via third-party providers. If not possible, Association has to refund features of the program that it was not able to deliver.