Hakkoda Private Guiding Packages

Tram accessed backcountry touring // shuttle laps and free refills off the backside to our waiting vehicle // great accommodation and 2 meals a day included // Don't get closed out on a storm day--our base is within range of multiple resorts in case Hakkoda is shut down

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The write-up

Hakkoda, the crowning jewel of skiing in Tohoku, is a mountain that must be experienced rather than described. Between the endless magically spaced trees, the legendary amounts of powder, and the runs off the backside to our waiting shuttle vehicle, one can easily spend many days over many seasons at Hakkoda and not run out of new nooks and crannies to explore.

Which is why, if you're considering riding at Hakkoda, a guide is a must to get the full experience.

This is an inclusive private guiding package that makes your trip to Hakkoda smooth and easy. The trip includes a stay in comfortable western style accommodation, shuttle laps to our waiting vehicle off the back side(s) of the mountain, all lift tickets, daily dinner and breakfast, ski guiding by a local Japanese guide (with just enough English to communicate the necessities), and remote orientation and introductions by our JST staff on Day 1.

This trip bases out of the historical city of Hirosaki which is advantageous because, in the event that Hakkoda is stormed out (which can happen often, depending on the season), we are easily within range of Aomori Spring Resort and Owani Onsen which also has some legendary lift-accessed powder.

The specs

1:5 max guide/guest ratio
Trip includes daily lift tickets
Shuttle laps to our waiting vehicle off the back side(s)
Includes tram-accessed backcountry ski guiding at Hakkoda, with the option to go to Aomori Spring on a storm day or for a change of scenery.
Includes accommodation at the Art Hotel, a 4-star hotel located in the heart of the historical city of Hirosaki, within walking distance to Hirosaki Station and to many bars and restaurants nearby.
Includes huge daily buffet breakfast and dinner served by the hotel
Includes daily ski guiding by a local Japanese guide who is a long-term partner with JST, with just enough English to communicate the necessities.
Day 1 orientation is provided remotely by a native English speaking JST staff member who will get you organized and settled in on the first day.

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Each packaged trip is 4 nights and 4 guide days on the Mountain

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Itinerary

Day 1: Meet and Greet > Trip Orientation

Where to start the trip

This trip starts at the Art Hotel in Hirosaki, right next to Hirosaki Station: arrive any time after 3pm and your JST host will get you oriented and briefed remotely about the flow of the trip for the coming days.

Day 2-5: Stay in historical Hirosaki and ski Hakkoda and/or Aomori Spring resorts as conditions warrant

These days are full guided days based out of the Art Hotel in the historical city of Hirosaki. The objective is tram or lift-accessed backcountry at Hakkoda as the "Plan A" or Aomori Spring as the "Plan B" if Hakkoda is stormed out. Note that backcountry gear is required for this trip. There is no good skiing in this region without backcountry touring equipment.

Day 5: Check out in the morning, ski, then drop off

On the morning of the last day, you will check out of the hotel, load your bags into the car, and go out for your final day of skiing. You will be dropped off at either Shin-Aomori Station (with direct bullet train access to Tokyo or Hokkaido), AOJ Airport or Hirosaki Station--whichever you prefer. The times for the drop off are flexible depending on your departure plans, but will be no later than 5:30pm from either the airport or train station.

Inclusions

Three days of private ski guiding by a local Japanese ski guide with enough English for the necessities. The only type of skiing on offer is backcountry touring; there is no good skiing in the region that does not require touring gear. A native English-speaking JST host will pick you up on Day 1 and get you oriented.

Daily lift tickets

All transportation is by private vehicle

Three nights at the Art Hotel in the historical city of Hirosaki

Daily breakfast and dinner buffets provided by the hotel. This is a total of 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts

Drop off at Shin-Aomori Station, AOJ Airport or Hirosaki Station--whichever you prefer. The drop off time will be after the final day of skiing, and can be flexible with your departure schedule, but will be no later than a drop off at 5:30pm.

Not included:

Transportation to the pickup location

Avalanche safety sets are required to go into any side-country or backcountry. If you don't have your own, you can rent during the checkout process.

No touring gear rentals are available. You must bring your own AT skis or splitboards.

Lodging

Introducing the four-star Hirosaki Art Hotel

The four-star rated Art Hotel is located strategically between Hakkoda and Aomori Spring resorts, offering you the flexibility of skiing either resort depending on the conditions.

The hotel itself is full service and includes all the amenities you would expect from a legacy Big Hotel.

All rooms feature en-suite bathrooms and showers. Breakfast and dinner is provided by the hotel; they serve up a variety of buffet options both Western and Japanese food. See the food options here.

Check out the hotel website here

Pricing

Group Size	Price per person - JPY	Approx USD per person
5	¥236,000	$1470
4	¥269,000	$1690
3	¥335,000	$2120
2	¥450,000	$2885
1	¥815,000	$5320

All pricing includes 13% tax/fees

Cancellation policy:

Up to 4 months before your trip date: 25% cancellation fee
2-4 months before your trip date: 50% cancellation fee
Less than 2 months before your trip date: Cancellations made with less than two months of advanced notice will not be refunded. Unfortunately, due to the time- sensitive nature of our business, and the difficulty in re-booking a trip close to the departure date, we cannot make exceptions to this policy.