Hakkoda Private Guiding Packages

The 5-day Hakkoda Guided Trip

Five-day package that handles all of your logistics
Tram accessed backcountry touring
Shuttle laps and free refills off the backside to our waiting vehicle
Great, centrally located accommodation with 2 giant 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!

150+ five-star reviews on Google, Facebook and Powder Hounds

The write-up

Hakkoda, the crown 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.

All that to say, if you're considering riding at Hakkoda, a guide is a must to get the full experience!

This trip is based in the historic city of Hirosaki, a strategic location that gives us plenty of flexibility. If Hakkoda is stormed out, which can happen frequently depending on the season, we're still within easy reach of Aomori Spring Resort and Owani Onsen, both of which have epic options, especially on a storm day.

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 our Japanese guide (with just enough English to communicate the necessities), and remote orientation and introductions by our JST staff on Day 1.

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 or Owani Onsen 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 many bars and restaurants nearby.
Includes an epic daily buffet breakfast and dinner featuring lots of local specialties served by the hotel
Includes daily ski guiding by our Japanese guide (with a Hakkoda guiding permit) 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. Ongoing support is provided by JST remotely throughout your trip!

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Discover Hakkoda at its best.

From shuttle laps off the back side to alternative options if the mountain closes due to gnarly weather, this inclusive itinerary will maximize your experience at Hakkoda.

Click on the topics below to expand and view details!

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet and Greet > Trip Orientation

This trip starts at the Art Hotel in Hirosaki, right next to Hirosaki Station: arrive any time between 3:00-6:00pm and your JST host will get you oriented and briefed remotely about the flow of the trip for the coming days. The included dinner is an excellent buffet which serves excellent local as well as Western options.

Day 2-5: Stay in historical Hirosaki and ride Hakkoda

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 / Owani Onsen as options for the "Plan B" if Hakkoda is stormed out. Maximize your time by doing shuttle laps off the back side to our waiting vehicle which will get you back to the tram.

Note that backcountry gear is required for this trip. There is no good skiing (worth getting a guide) at Hakkoda without backcountry touring equipment!

An excellent breakfast and dinner are provided by the hotel for each day of your stay featuring local as well as Western options.

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

On the morning of the last day, check out of the hotel, load bags into the car, and go out for your final day of skiing. After skiing you can opt to 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.

If traveling by rental car, the final day will end with a goodbye in the parking lot.

Inclusions

Four days of private ski guiding by our Hakkoda permit-holding Japanese ski guide with enough English for the necessities. The only type of skiing on offer is backcountry touring--although we always get a 90% of our elevation from riding the tram. There is no good skiing (worth getting a guide for) at Hakkoda that does not require touring gear. On your arrival at the Hirosaki Art Hotel, a JST staff member will get you oriented remotely via a WhatsApp group.

Ski deep into the mountains and access terrain that would otherwise be out of reach. We have a vehicle strategically positioned on the far side, ready to shuttle you back up for another powder-filled lap.

Daily lift tickets are included in this trip!

All transportation is provided by private vehicle. If you'll be using your own rental car during the trip, let us know during checkout to receive a discount.

Four nights at the Art Hotel located in the historical heart of Hirosaki city, within walking distance of dozens of Izakaya, Karaoke joints, and drinking establishments.

Daily excellent breakfasts and dinners are provided by our hotel, featuring authentically Japanese, fusion, as well as standard Western options. This is a total of 4 dinners and 4 breakfasts during your trip.

For those without a rental car, drop off is offered 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. For those with a rental car, the final goodbye will be in the parking lot after your final day of skiing.

Not included:

Transportation to the Hirosaki Art Hotel on day 1. Located right in front of Hirosaki Station, the Art Hotel can be reached with one transfer from Shin-Aomori Bullet Train Station.

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.

Private vehicle transportation to/from the ski hill is not included, but can be selected at check out for an additional ¥40,000 (approx US$250 flat rate) for all four ski days. If you have your own transportation, your guide will meet you at your hotel on the first ski day for a meet-and-greet, trip orientation, and overview of the week's plan.

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, Aomori Spring, and Owani Onsen resorts, offering you the flexibility of skiing at the best option depending on 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 authentically Japanese food. See the food options here.

The Art Hotel is a great base for exploring the historical city of Hirosaki. Located within walking distance of dozens of bars, restaurants, and karaoke joints, there's no end to the great Japanese style après options around!

Check out the hotel website here.

Pricing

Group Size	Price per person - JPY	Approx USD per person
5	¥252,000	$1,570
4	¥329,000	$2,050
3	¥411,000	$2,560
2	¥552,000	$3,440
1	¥997,000	$6,220

The price above is for guests who have their own transportation (such as a rental car) and will use it to travel to/from the mountain each day. Guests who require private vehicle transfers can add this option during checkout for an additional ¥40,000 (approximately US$250) for all four days. If you have your own transportation, your guide will meet you at your hotel on the first ski day for a meet-and-greet, trip orientation, and overview of the week's plan.
A 50% deposit will secure your reservation with the remaining balance due on December 1.
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.