Southern Hokkaido Powder Tour Overview
Southern Hokkaido is one of Japan's snowiest regions, stretching from Otaru in the north to the Niseko region and down to Hakodate. Join Whiteroom Tour on this epic Southern Hokkaido Powder Tour where you'll road trip to go powder hunting! Starting in Hakodate, the road trip will then head north to Rusutsu, Niseko, and Moiwa and then to Otaru on the coast. This area of Hokkaido gets the most snow of anywhere on the island and you’ll be storm chasing the whole time so pack your snorkel!
The Southern Hokkaido Powder Tour is a lift accessed backcountry tour where hiking is optional but encouraged.
Hakodate
Potential ski areas from Hakodate include:
After arriving in Tokyo it is recommended that you take the Shinkansen (bullet) train to Hakodate for a true Japanese experience. Steeped in history, Hakodate was the first city to be opened to western trading in the late 1800s. It has a beautiful mix of Japanese and Western architecture and two great resorts nearby with great tree skiing, dry pow and not a gaijin to be seen except your new tour friends. Each night you will return to Hotel Emi to soak in its natural onsen and relax.
Niseko
Potential ski areas visited from Niseko include:
In Niseko, the group will head straight through the gates and into the backcountry to experience why Niseko became the birthplace of the Japan powder revolution. From there you’ll head to Rusutsu to enjoy the perfectly gladed trees, deep pow and views to the sea. Moiwa is a small resort that packs a punch when it comes to easy backcountry access and deep snow accumulating in its back bowls.
Throughout the tour, your guides and hosts will make sure you get the best out of your ski holiday.
After skiing all day you’ll be taken some of the best local restaurants and bars in Niseko. You can also choose to relax in front of the fire and eat in, enjoy a soak in the local onsen (hot spring) or just simply hang out with your new friends.
Otaru
Potential ski areas from
Otaru include:
Next stop is Otaru where you will be based for the next 3 nights and on the way you’ll hit Kiroro – and yes the rumours are true! The pow is deep, so deep it doesn’t see the sun for most of the season – you’ll love Kiroro.
If the group needs a rest or the weather doesn’t cooperate, the plan is to go to the Yoichi Whiskey Distillery, soak in a natural onsen, feed you some delicious local sushi, and recharge.
From Otaru, you’ll also ski the backcountry of Kokusai as well as Teine, known for its steep terrain and amazing views across the water. Finally, your guide will drive you to Otaru station where you can transfer by train to New Chitose Airport.
If you want to get the best conditions, the guides are there to show you the way and get you deeper in the white stuff than could be possibly imagined. All the guides have years of experience finding the best terrain and snow whilst keeping in mind your safety and maintaining the stoke on high. This is the true “whiteroom” experience.
If you would like to book this trip or have any questions, you can
make a booking request here.
Ability Level
The minimum ability level is advanced in powder. The Southern Hokkaido Powder Tour requires that you must be able to ski the whole mountain with confidence and at speed in powder, through trees and in variable conditions. You must have a good level of fitness. Snowboarders in this level are able to keep speed in flat sections by planning ahead as well as hold a solid traverse line and be able to hop up and manoeuvre in a way as to not slow down the group.
Groups are split up into ski/board/ability levels and some groups will be doing some hiking (traversing/bootpacking) to get to the goods. Skins or split-boards are not required but if the group has touring gear or wants to rent this equipment, the guides will oblige.
Skiers, if you need to work on your powder technique, check out the
Niseko Progression Tour for Skiers.
You'll get plenty of this.... |
..and this.... |
....and a bit of this!! |