Chase the snow and ride different resorts and backcountry areas including Asahidake, Kamui and a couple of our secret spots.
Asahikawa sits in central Hokkaido and is surrounded by mountains and stacked with resorts, backcountry zones, and world-class powder, but it takes a guide to unlock it. Join the Asahikawa Freeride Tour for a week of riding lines most visitors will never find.
From the trip description by Mint Tours
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. Instruction is not included.
- Coached: Not confirmed
Professional coaches lead the group, select suitable terrain, and provide instruction and personalized feedback to help you improve.
- 5 days on snow with staff
- Resort guidingGuided group — maximum 6 guests and 1 guide
- 1 guide : 6 guests
Terrain, ability and who it is for
- In-bounds ungroomed areas, trees and natural features, plus lift-accessed backcountry, from mellow alpine bowls to tight trees.
- Most zones use lifts; short boot packs, usually under 10 minutes, may be needed. No touring gear required; Verts snowshoes provided when necessary.
- Backcountry routes leave the resort boundary then traverse back to lifts. This is a resort-based tour, not dedicated touring or splitboarding.
- Resort laps, short hikes and terrain choices vary through the day with snow, weather and visibility.
- Kamui, Furano, Asahidake and smaller Asahikawa-region areas may be visited; specific locations are not guaranteed.
- An Asahidake day is a feature of the tour: Hokkaido’s highest mountain, with ropeway access, alpine terrain and steaming vents.
- Powder season runs late December to late March; January and February usually have the coldest temperatures and best snow quality.
- Central Hokkaido is known for light, dry powder and very cold temperatures.
- Sport
- Ski + Snowboard
- Max group size
- 6 guests
From the trip description by Mint Tours
What the price includes
Included
- Lodging
- Lift pass
- Meals · partly
- Transfers
- 6 nights accommodation at OMO7 Asahikawa, Studio Room with ensuite (1 person per room)
- 5 days of guided riding (resort and lift-accessed backcountry terrain)
- 5-day lift ticket
- 5 days of private transfers to and from resorts
- Scheduled group airport transfers from Asahikawa Airport
- Complimentary use of avalanche safety equipment (pack, beacon, shovel, probe)
- Complimentary use of Verts snowshoes
- Complimentary access to fleet of demo snowboards
- 6 buffet breakfasts
- 1 dinner (arrival night)
- Complimentary access to the hotel onsen
- Complimentary use of wax/tune station
- Pre-tour support from our Japan Tour Manager
- A radio carried by one guest each day for contact with the guide (stated in the equipment FAQ)
Not included
- Flights and travel to Asahikawa
- Travel insurance
- All lunches (allow USD $6 to $15 per meal)
- 5 dinners (allow USD $15 to $35 per meal)
- Onsen fee outside the hotel (allow USD $7 to $10 per visit)
- Ski and snowboard rental — quality rental equipment is not available in Asahikawa, so guests bring their own gear
- Pre- or post-tour accommodation, which can be arranged as a paid extra
- An estimate of spending money for the week is around USD $350 to $450 to cover lunches, dinners, snacks and incidentals.
Not confirmed by the company: Lesson.
Day by day
- Day 1: Sunday 'Arrival Day'Welcome to Japan. Make your way to Asahikawa Airport, where your guide will meet you for the transfer into the city and check-in at OMO7 Asahikawa, your base for the week ahead. After settling in and getting your gear organized, meet your guide and crew for a welcome session covering the forecast, current snow conditions, and plans for the week ahead. That evening, head out for a hosted welcome dinner with the group, included as part of the tour.
- Days 2–6: Monday to Friday 'Guided Days'Five full days on snow, riding a mix of resorts and zones across the Asahikawa region. Each day follows a similar rhythm, with guides staying flexible and adapting plans around snowfall, weather, visibility, and the group.Mornings: start the day with breakfast at the hotel before gearing up for departure. Each morning, your guide will outline the plan for the day based on current conditions before heading out to the selected resort or zone.On-mountain: you'll ride a mix of in-bounds resort terrain and lift-accessed backcountry throughout the trip. Short hikes may be used when needed to reach better lines or move between zones, typically under 15 minutes, with Verts snowshoes provided. On the first day on snow, your guide will also run through a safety briefing covering avalanche equipment and the use of Verts before heading out.Afternoons: after riding, the group will often stop at a local onsen on the way back to the city. Once back at OMO7 Asahikawa, guests also have access to the hotel's tattoo-friendly onsen.Evenings: the group usually returns to the hotel around 5–6pm. Dinner is not included Monday to Thursday, allowing guests to explore the city's food scene. On Friday night, the group usually heads out for a final dinner organized by your guide to wrap up the week.
- Day 7: Saturday 'Departure Day'Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before packing up and checking out. After a full week riding across the Asahikawa region, your guide will transfer you back to Asahikawa Airport for your onward journey.
From the trip description by Mint Tours
Where you stay
Every guest on this tour gets their own private ensuite room at OMO7 Asahikawa, giving you space to recover properly after a full day on snow. No shared rooms, no bunk beds, just a more comfortable setup for the week. OMO7 is also the only hotel in Asahikawa properly set up for snowboarders, with a drying room, wax benches, board storage, and a tattoo-friendly onsen.
Being based in Asahikawa puts you in the middle of Hokkaido's best region, with resorts and zones spread in every direction around the city. That central location gives guides more flexibility to adapt plans around snowfall, weather, and visibility while still keeping drive times reasonable. And after a full day in the mountains, you return to a real Japanese city filled with ramen shops, izakaya, bars, onsen, and the kind of atmosphere that makes the experience feel more cultural than being based at a ski resort.
Getting there
Flights are not included. Our tour managers can recommend flight options to help with your planning.
Scheduled group airport transfers from Asahikawa Airport are included. Your guide will meet you at Asahikawa Airport on arrival and arrange your return transfer at the end of the trip. No riding is scheduled on arrival or departure days.
Full transport and logistics guidance is included in your Pre Departure Guide, sent after booking. Pre or post tour accommodation can be arranged, and the operator can help tailor the trip around your travel plans.
From the trip description by Mint Tours
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
| Dates | Season | Duration | From | Availability | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3 – Jan 9, 2027Choose these datesSunday to Saturday, with five full days of guided riding Monday to Friday. Maximum 6 guests. | 2026/27 | 7 days | 3,990 USDPer person, single room (1 person per room) | Available | Deposit secures a place; first come, first served |
| Jan 10 – Jan 16, 2027Choose these datesSunday to Saturday, with five full days of guided riding Monday to Friday. Maximum 6 guests. | 2026/27 | 7 days | 4,190 USDPer person, single room (1 person per room) | Available | Deposit secures a place; first come, first served |
| Jan 17 – Jan 23, 2027Choose these datesSunday to Saturday, with five full days of guided riding Monday to Friday. Maximum 6 guests. | 2026/27 | 7 days | 4,390 USDPer person, single room (1 person per room) | Available | Deposit secures a place; first come, first served |
| Jan 24 – Jan 30, 2027Choose these datesSunday to Saturday, with five full days of guided riding Monday to Friday. Maximum 6 guests. | 2026/27 | 7 days | 4,390 USDPer person, single room (1 person per room) | Available | Deposit secures a place; first come, first served |
| Jan 31 – Feb 6, 2027Choose these datesSunday to Saturday, with five full days of guided riding Monday to Friday. Maximum 6 guests. | 2026/27 | 7 days | 4,390 USDPer person, single room (1 person per room) | Available | Deposit secures a place; first come, first served |
| Feb 7 – Feb 13, 2027Choose these datesSunday to Saturday, with five full days of guided riding Monday to Friday. Maximum 6 guests. | 2026/27 | 7 days | 4,390 USDPer person, single room (1 person per room) | Available | Deposit secures a place; first come, first served |
| Feb 14 – Feb 20, 2027Choose these datesSunday to Saturday, with five full days of guided riding Monday to Friday. Maximum 6 guests. | 2026/27 | 7 days | 4,190 USDPer person, single room (1 person per room) | Available | Deposit secures a place; first come, first served |
| Feb 21 – Feb 27, 2027Choose these datesSunday to Saturday, with five full days of guided riding Monday to Friday. Maximum 6 guests. | 2026/27 | 7 days | 4,190 USDPer person, single room (1 person per room) | Available | Deposit secures a place; first come, first served |
| Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2027Choose these datesSunday to Saturday, with five full days of guided riding Monday to Friday. Maximum 6 guests. | 2026/27 | 7 days | 3,990 USDPer person, single room (1 person per room) | Available | Deposit secures a place; first come, first served |
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
ABILITY
This tour is for advanced riders who can move through powder, trees, and ungroomed terrain with flow, commitment, and control, are comfortable in deep snow, on narrow traverses, and through tight trees without needing to stop and plan each turn. Good decision making and confidence in your riding are essential. Powder and trees are a core part of this experience and should be considered mandatory.
PACE
You'll need to ride at a moderate to fast pace and maintain flow through powder, trees, and variable conditions. Your guide will set the pace, with regular regroup points, and push laps when conditions allow.
FITNESS
A good level of cardio fitness is essential across five consecutive days on snow. Some days may include short hikes (5 and up to 15 minutes) using provided Verts snowshoes.
GROUP SIZE
A maximum of 6 guests and 1 guide.
SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS
Every week, we operate mixed ski and snowboard groups (maximum 6 guests) and separate groups dedicated to snowboarders. All of our guides are snowboarders with extensive experience guiding both skiers and snowboarders in Japan.
If you're looking for a trip better suited to your ability or pace, the operator points to its Explorer Tours (more relaxed riding weeks) or Progression Tours (dedicated coaching weeks). The tour can also be run as a private trip.
From the trip description by Mint Tours