Two weeks of guided sidecountry and backcountry riding, with a two-day avalanche skills course included (ASC1)!
This camp is focused on backcountry adventures. This camp begins with some in-bounds freeriding to build skills, tactics and learn about terrain, before progressing in to the local Madarao, easy-access backcountry.
Within the first week, we run a two-day avalanche safety certification called the ASC1 (yes, you get an actual certificate).
From the trip description by CAMP3 Snowboarding
On-snow support
- Independent: Below this trip's level of support
Ski or ride independently, without trip staff accompanying you on the mountain.
- Hosted: With your guide
Trip hosts ski or ride with the group, help everyone get oriented, and share local knowledge.
- Guided: Included
Professional guides lead the group and select suitable terrain and routes based on conditions and ability.
- Coached: Included
Professional coaches lead the group, select suitable terrain, and provide instruction and personalized feedback to help you improve.
- 8 days on snow with staff
- Coaching camp8 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.
- Backcountry guidingThis camp is much more focused on guiding and education, with a little coaching here and there.
Terrain, ability and who it is for
- Advanced and expert riders who are already confident in deep powder.
- Two ability groups cater to advanced and expert riders.
- Sidecountry and backcountry areas.
- Week two explores Nozawa back bowls and alpine terrain in Myoko and Arai.
- Some terrain is chairlift-accessed; other riding requires short hikes with snowshoes or a splitboard.
- 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
From the trip description by CAMP3 Snowboarding
What the price includes
Included
- Lodging
- Lift pass
- Meals · partly
- Lesson
- Transfers
- 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.
Where you stay
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.
From the trip description by CAMP3 Snowboarding
Pins show the approximate main trip area—not a route, meeting point, or full itinerary. Confirm exact locations in the company's trip details.
Dates and prices
- Feb 7 – Feb 19, 20272026/27 · 13 days · 12 nights525,000 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.)LimitedChoose these datesBook on company website
Waitlist: 2 space(s) available. Membership fee sources conflict; Powderscape shows the lower NZD $45 amount. Confirm the applicable fee with CAMP3.
Prices, taxes and fees, required extras, inclusions, availability, and booking terms can change. Confirm the current price and trip details on the company website; details as of September 15, 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.
From the trip description by CAMP3 Snowboarding
