We found “paddocks” with untouched powder in the tranquil surroundings of the trees, which we were able to drift through to our hearts’ content. They cleverly “strip grazed” the area so that every time we skied in there were fresh tracks to be found. We received coaching on how to ski the powder and to improve our technique. We wore avalanche packs and beacons and had instruction on how to use them and why they were necessary. Safety is a very high priority of the company and Jase knows every inch of the mountains and can be on hand for any group needing support. We recognize that each guest is unique and has different needs, so we try to accommodate them all.
Hakuba is located 44km west from Nagano, Japan’s Northern Alps. It is bordered by 3,000m peaks. International attention was attracted to the area in 1998, when it hosted several events for the Winter Olympic Games. With 137km of pistes courses, Hakuba’s resorts offer an incredible variety with runs suited to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The main village, Happo, is home to some excellent izakayas and restaurants. There are also quieter villages in the area for those who want to stay away from the crowds. Furano is one of the most famous ski resorts within Japan, and has adapted very well to its increasing popularity, catering well for international skiers without losing its authentic Japanese charm.
The snow resort is only about 30-minutes from Niseko by car, so it makes a good day trip if you’d like to try out different trails for a day or two. Rusutsu offers well-groomed ski terrain ideal for beginners and intermediate riders while powderhounds will appreciate the untouched trails and tree paths full of freshly fallen snow. Comprised of 4 interlinked ski resorts – Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and An’nupuri – Niseko is renowned for its consistency and quality of powder snow.
The famous Japanese movie “Love Letter” was shot there in winter. This region also has resort towns such as Yuzawa Onsen and Nozawa Onsen. Both are famous for their hot springs, which are known in Japanese as onsen. As for the skiing at these resort towns, Nozawa Onsen is one of Japan’s longest and most cherished ski destinations. Well, it starts with the fact that Japan can receive as much as 15 metres of snowfall during winter. Japan gets super light snow from winds off Siberia that cross the Sea of Japan. This creates excellent skiing conditions.
Before it became a ski destination, Nozawa Onsen used to be a hot spring community. This means that the best place to relax after a long day on the slopes, is at one of the 13 public bathhouses free of charge in the town. The snow resort is extremely family-friendly and offers diverse terrain. There’s just one main ski area in Nozawa, but it’s quite large, offering tree trails, groomed runs and plenty of moguls. The village is full of Japanese charm. There are many options for accommodation, but they are all English-friendly. Niseko, located 100km southwest from Sapporo is Japan’s most popular ski resort. It boasts 47km of groomed terrain, and receives more snowfall than any other resort in the world.