Terrain, ability and group
This camp is aimed at advanced and expert level riders. You MUST be confident riding deep powder already. We have two groups on this camp, so we can cater to both advanced and experts easily.
Focus & Terrain: Backcountry Focused. Multiple sidecountry & backcountry areas.
The second week of the camp is focused on adventures further afield, exploring the Nozawa back bowls, as well as the alpine terrain in Myoko and Arai. Some of the riding will be easy to access from chairlifts, and some will require short hikes with snow shoes or a splitboard.
Some of the core skills focused on during this camp include (but are not limited to):
Create a solid foundation of backcountry knowledge
Understand weather forecasting and backcountry travel preparation
Learn about avalanche safety, rescue and risk mitigation
Explore backcountry travel techniques
Learn how to use a splitboard properly
Build confidence riding with speed in deep snow
Develop tactics and techniques for riding trees and backcountry lines
Read terrain and plan adventures for yourself
Hit natural backcountry features like pillow lines, drops and windlips
Receive an Avalanche Certification (ASC1)
- Sport
- Snowboard
- Minimum age
- 18 years
- Adults only
- Yes
- Max group size
- 6 guests
- Guiding
- This camp is much more focused on guiding and education, with a little coaching here and there.
- Coaching
- 8 days of backcountry-focused coaching and guiding over 2 weeks, at 5hrs per day, including a two-day Avalanche Safety Certificate Level One (ASC1) course.
Package
Included
Coaching & Guiding
8 days of backcountry-focused coaching and guiding over 2 weeks, at 5hrs per day.
Avalanche Certification
The Avalanche Safety Certificate Level One (ASC1) is part of this course, but can be excluded for those who have an avalanche certification already.
Equipment
Avalanche packs, with beacon probe and shovel are included in the cost. Snow shoes are also available for hiking days at no additional cost.
Lift Passes
8 days of passes at the resorts we visit along the way (lift passes on days off are additional).
Accommodation
12 nights of accommodation at our very own Japan CAMP3 Clubhouse Madarao.
Food
Daily breakfast (with a wider variety of choice than previous years) and 6 evening meals (buffet-style) spread out over the camp.
Transport
Daily travel to each resort in our 4WD vans and transfers to and from Iiyama Station.
Off-snow Additions
Transport down to the local onsen 2-3 evenings per week, with time to eat dinner at the restaurant. Video analysis sessions to breakdown and analyse your riding in more detail. Evening movies, board games, beers and banter with the crew!
Not Included
Not included: flights, train travel to Iiyama, your snowboard equipment and any splitboard rental (if required), your travel and rescue insurance (must cover off-piste and we recommend backcountry rescue).
Lift passes on days off are additional.
Single occupancy room supplement: ¥5,000 per night.
Lunch is not listed among the included meals.
Accommodation, travel and itinerary
Accommodation
Accommodation is based on twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms at the vibing CAMP3 Clubhouse Madarao, located just 100m from the chairlifts of Madarao Mountain Resort (almost slope side!). Guests enjoy daily breakfast, with lots of healthy choices, a welcome dinner on the first evening, plus additional communal dinner nights throughout the camp experience.
A limited number of single occupancy rooms are available at an additional cost of ¥5,000 per night. If you wish to reserve a single occupancy room, please indicate this in the comments box in the booking form below.
Getting There
Transfers available from Iiyama Shinkansen Station (bullet train direct from Tokyo) are available on the camp start and end dates. Dates shown are accommodation arrival and departure days.
Not included: flights, train travel to Iiyama.
Dates and prices
| Dates | Season | Duration | From | Availability | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 7 – Feb 19, 2027Availability panel: "2 space(s) currently available on this camp." Waitlist: 2 space(s) available. Membership fee sources conflict; Powderscape shows the lower NZD $45 amount. Confirm the applicable fee with CAMP3. | 2026/27 | 13 days | 525,000 JPYCamp cost ¥525,000. Covers a 2 day avalanche course, 6 days guiding, 12 night stay, lift passes, avalanche packs, daily breakfast and 6 evening meals. A $45 NZD membership fee is added to the first camp you join in the calendar year. (¥5,000 for Japan camps.) | Limited | Book on company website |
Prices, taxes and fees, required extras, inclusions, availability, and booking terms can change. Confirm the current price and trip details on the company website; source last reviewed September 2, 2026.
Good To Know
You must be signed up as a member to book on a camp. Members must be over 18 (most members are in the 25-45 range), have done at least 10 days on a snowboard and must be stoked on progressing their riding.
If it's the first camp of the year, this will include a $55 membership fee (or ¥5,000 if you're paying for a Japan camp).
All camps need a minimum of three people per group to run, with a maximum six per group.
A limited number of single occupancy rooms are available at an additional cost of ¥5,000 per night.
Note that all members joining camps for the first time in a season are required to fill out two forms; a liability waiver form and an individual details form.
Any cancellation for a confirmed booking that is MORE THAN 4 weeks prior to the first day of the Product commencing will receive a full refund, less a 10% administration fee. Any cancellation for a confirmed booking that is WITHIN 4 weeks of the first day of the Product commencing will receive no refund.
It is possible to rent boards and bindings locally in either Wanaka (NZ) or Madarao (Japan). We have a small fleet of Jones Snowboards available at Clubhouse Madarao in Japan, available free of charge for members on camps to test out for a day.