Hokkaido, Japan
Road trip to find the deepest powder in some of Japan’s best ski resorts
9 nights, January 2017
Backcountry skinning in Niseko
Day 1
Arrive in Tokyo, Japan
Fly from Narita Airport (Tokyo) > New Chitose Airport (Hokkaido) with Jetstar
Rent a car from Niseko Auto and drive to Niseko (2 hours)
Check-in to Black Diamond Lodge, a mountain lodge for the ski (or snowboard) mad
Day 2
Pick up (booked) skis from Rhythm
Ski Niseko: Hirafu and Hanazono areas — best run: Climb up through gate 4 for off-piste
Evening onsen at Niseko Grand Hotel or Yugokoro Tei
Day 3
Private Backcountry tour with Black Diamond Tours
Drinks at Bar Gyu, a cosy bar with a great selection of whisky
Day 4
Ski Niseko: Annupuri area — best run: Traverse through gate 2 for off-piste
Late lunch at Green Farm Cafe, American cuisine with locally sourced ingredients
Night skiing: Hirafu area
Dinner at Bang Bang, a traditional Japanese restaurant famous for their yakitori
Night skiing in Niseko
Day 5
Check-out of Black Diamond Lodge
Drive from Niseko > Rusutsu (30 minutes)
Ski Rusutsu ski area
Drive from Rusutsu > Sapporo (1.5 hours)
Check-in to Hotel Okura, your typical inner city hotel
Day 6
Check-out of Hotel Okura
Drive from Sapporo > Sapporo Teine ski area (40 minutes)
Sapporo Teine Highland area — best runs: Ski the bowl down to 4 man chair and walk through the gate behind the chair up to what looks like a ‘weather station’
Drive from Sapporo Teine > Furano (2.5 hours)
Check-in to Furano Natulux, a modern minimalist hotel
Eat at Kumagera, serves a variety of Japanese cuisine including Sanzoku Nabe, a miso based hot pot made from duck and venison
Sapporo Teine
Day 7
Ski Furano area — best run: through the left hand gate at the top of Downhill Romance №3 and go off the back, a path takes you round to the bottom of the resort
Day 8
Ski Asahidake (1h15 drive) — Option guide with Black Diamond Tours or Whiteroom Tours
Dinner at Masaya, a traditional teppanyaki restaurant
Day 9
Check-out of Furano Natulux
Ski Furano
Drive from Furano > New Chitose Airport (2 hours)
Evening flight from New Chitose Airport > Narita Airport (Tokyo)
Check-in to Airbnb (Roppongi)
Day 10 & 11
Explore Tokyo
Fly home
Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo