Welcome to PowderQuest’s Guided Hokkaido Backcountry Tour, a powder-focused ski touring and splitboarding adventure in northern Japan.
Renowned for its consistent snowfall, Hokkaido receives some of the deepest and lightest powder on earth, making it one of the world’s premier destinations for backcountry skiing. Designed for advanced to expert skiers and splitboarders, this guided Japan ski touring trip combines exceptional powder hunting with authentic cultural experiences both on and off the mountain.
From the trip description by PowderQuest
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: Available at extra cost
Professional coaches lead the group, select suitable terrain, and provide instruction and personalized feedback to help you improve.
- CourseAvailable at extra cost
- Backcountry guidingTwo guides on every trip — led by a certified IFMGA/ACMG Ski Guide, supported by a fluent Japanese-speaking assistant guide
Terrain, ability and who it is for
- You should be in good shape and confident in deep powder, trees, and varied terrain.
- Participants should be comfortable descending ungroomed advanced runs without hesitation.
- Snowboarders should be able to maintain speed on flats, hold a solid traverse line, and maneuver smoothly.
- We’ll use ski lifts to gain elevation, with daily touring of 500–1,000 meters (1,600–3,300 feet) spread over multiple short uptrack climbs.
- Ideally, guests will have some ski touring or splitboarding experience, but if not, you should be fit enough to hike 10 km (6 miles) with a 10 kg (22 lb) pack as a gauge of your physical ability.
- With backcountry touring access from eight ski resorts across Hokkaido, we use the lifts purely to gain elevation before heading out of bounds for a full day of skinning and touring—this is deep-in backcountry, not lift-lap sidecountry.
- Sport
- Ski + Snowboard
- Max group size
- 6 guests
From the trip description by PowderQuest
What the price includes
Included
- Lodging
- Lift pass
- Meals
- Transfers · partly
- Support 2 full-time, certified, PowderQuest backcountry guides
- private 4x4 van
- lift tickets
- Accommodations comfortable lodging with private bath. (Rooms in Japan are often smaller compared to North American lodging.)
- Meals daily breakfast
- all dinners, hosted by your guides at select restaurants in Otaru and Furano
- local beer and sake at dinner
Not included
- Lesson · extra cost
- arrival and departure to Otaru/from Furano. See FAQs tab for details.
- travel insurance
- lunches
Day by day
- Day 1: Arrival day to Otaru. Evening meet-and-greet with welcome dinner.Fly into Chitose (CTS), take the airport train to Otaru, and check into the Authent Hotel. Meet the group at 6PM for an introduction and welcome dinner.
- Days 2–3: Hokkaido backcountry out of Sapporo Kokusai, Teine, Kiroro and a few lesser known zonesChoose touring destinations according to conditions around Sapporo Kokusai, Teine, Kiroro and lesser-known areas. Lifts provide elevation before touring; at Kiroro, touring starts from the parking area. Return to Otaru for hosted dinners.
- Day 4: More Hokkaido Backcountry. Travel to Furano.After breakfast, tour a destination chosen for conditions, then travel through Sapporo and central Hokkaido to Furano. Check into the hotel and have a group dinner.
- Days 5–7: Backcountry powder chasing out of the Furano resort and surrounding ski areasThree days of backcountry touring around Furano, Tomamu, Kamui, Asahidake and other locations, according to conditions. Breakfasts, onsen visits and hosted dinners in Furano accompany the ski days.
- Day 8: Sayonara HokkaidoBreakfast and farewell at the hotel, followed by onward travel or an extended stay in Japan.
From the trip description by PowderQuest
Where you stay
Otaru: We have a selection of comfortable 4-star hotels all within walking distance to the city’s famous Otaru Canal, shopping district and the Otaru City Art Museum. All rooms come with a private bathroom.
Furano: We hand-picked comfortable, 4-star Furano Hotels. All hotels feature similar décor and amenities; comfortable bedding, private bathrooms, Japanese onsen bath, and social areas to relax and get to know your group. Rooms are shared, twin-bed set-ups. Larger double beds for couples or single room upgrades are available.
Getting there
Fly into Hokkaido's Chitose airport (CTS). Most flights to CTS are via Tokyo on a domestic connection or internationally via Hong Kong. From CTS, take the airport train direct to Otaru Station. Our hotel is a 3 minute taxi ride from Otaru Station or a short 10 minute walk.
The trip ends in Furano. For the best selection of ground transfer options back to the CTS airport from Furano, please schedule return flights out of CTS after 12:00pm (for domestic) or 1:00pm (international).
From the trip description by PowderQuest
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 4 – Jan 11, 2027Choose these dates | 2026/27 | 8 days | 5,595 USD$5595 per person, shared twin room with private bath; optional private room $1095 (limited availability) | Sold Out | Book on company website |
| Jan 12 – Jan 19, 2027Choose these dates | 2026/27 | 8 days | 5,595 USD$5595 per person, shared twin room with private bath; optional private room $1095 (limited availability) | Sold Out | Book on company website |
| Jan 20 – Jan 27, 2027Choose these dates | 2026/27 | 8 days | 5,595 USD$5595 per person, shared twin room with private bath; optional private room $1095 (limited availability) | Private Inquiry | Book on company website |
| Jan 28 – Feb 4, 2027Choose these dates | 2026/27 | 8 days | 5,595 USD$5595 per person, shared twin room with private bath; optional private room $1095 (limited availability) | Sold Out | Book on company website |
| Feb 5 – Feb 12, 2027Choose these dates | 2026/27 | 8 days | 5,595 USD$5595 per person, shared twin room with private bath; optional private room $1095 (limited availability) | Sold Out | Book on company website |
| Feb 13 – Feb 20, 2027Choose these dates | 2026/27 | 8 days | 5,595 USD$5595 per person, shared twin room with private bath; optional private room $1095 (limited availability) | Sold Out | Book on company website |
| Feb 21 – Feb 28, 2027Choose these dates | 2026/27 | 8 days | 5,595 USD$5595 per person, shared twin room with private bath; optional private room $1095 (limited availability) | Available | 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; details as of September 2, 2026.
Good to know
Is this "sidecountry"? What does backcountry touring with lift access actually mean? No, this is true backcountry touring, and the difference matters. On our trips, the lift does one thing: it saves you the long, low-elevation approach and drops you up high so the real touring can start sooner. From there you'll skin, climb, and earn your descents under your own power—expect 500–1,000m (1,500′–3,000′) of climbing on a typical day. Ski touring or splitboard gear and the fitness to match are required.
What skis / snowboard should I bring? Skis with a waist width of 105-120mm + touring bindings + synthetic skins cut for your skis. Snowboarders need to bring splitboard + touring bindings + synthetic skins cut for your board.
When is the best time to come for good snow? All trip dates are scheduled during the highest chance of experiencing deep Japanese powder. January and February are the 2 prime months to visit.
How much currency should I bring for extras like lunch etc.? While most of your expenses are covered, plan on around USD $15–$25 per day for lunches and snacks.
Pricing Details: (in USD) $5595 per person, shared twin room with private bath. Optional private room: $1095 (limited availability). Deposit: 25% to confirm your reservation. Final balance due 90 days prior to departure.
From the trip description by PowderQuest
