Hokkaido, Japan

Road trip to find the deepest powder in some of Japan’s best ski resorts

9 nights, January 2017

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

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

Day 5

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

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

Day 10 & 11

Colombia