7-Day Hokkaido Snow Tow Itinerary
Day 1: Meet and greet
We meet at 2pm in Sapporo's Chitose Airport (CTS) which is the main airport in Hokkaido Island. If you are unable to arrive by 2pm at the airport, you will either need to arrange a shuttle to Niseko on your own or arrive a day before and meet the group at CTS on day 1 of the trip. Further information on meet up/drop off is available at our Logistics page here.
We arrive in Niseko via one of our 4-wheel drive "adventure vans" around 5pm. Our lodging in Niseko is within close walking distance to all of the fun amenities of the downtown Hirafu area. Our lodging gives us lots of access to everything Hirafu has to offer during the off-hours including bars, restaurants, the food truck spot, convenience stores, and of course the Niseko Hirafu ski base. Further information on this trips lodging can be found here.
*An Optional Niseko pick up at the Niseko Hirafu Welcome Center is also available. Meet up time here is set for 5:00 pm, directions for the NWC center can be found here
We arrive in Niseko via one of our 4-wheel drive "adventure vans" around 5pm. Our lodging in Niseko is within close walking distance to all of the fun amenities of the downtown Hirafu area. Our lodging gives us lots of access to everything Hirafu has to offer during the off-hours including bars, restaurants, the food truck spot, convenience stores, and of course the Niseko Hirafu ski base. Further information on this trips lodging can be found here.
*An Optional Niseko pick up at the Niseko Hirafu Welcome Center is also available. Meet up time here is set for 5:00 pm, directions for the NWC center can be found here
Days 2-4 Picture Reel |
Day 2 Ski Niseko
A short walk from our accommodation, the first day of Japan Pow is spent at the much-talked-about Niseko Resort. With 15 meters of snow per year and an average base of 5 meters, there's plenty here to keep you sufficiently busy all day. If the backcountry access gates are open you can do a hike to the summit and off the back or hike over to one of the back bowls.
Day 3: Ski RusutsuLocated a 40 min drive way from Niseko, Rusutsu is Hokkaido's most famous tree skiing area. With no needlessly roped off areas, this place is an all you can tree ski paradise. The impressive lift network plus no lines ensures that you'll be good and tired at the end of the day.
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Day 4: Ski Kiroro and head to Central Hokkaido
We pack up our things, check out of Niseko, and head 80 minutes away to Kiroro. The drive weeds out all but the most dedicated skiers and leaves this underrated resort ripe for some excellent lines. Ski amazing tree lines, open bowls, and never encounter any lift lines. After finishing with Kiroro, we head to Central Hokkaido in pursuit of snow which is even lighter than that found in the Niseko Region. The drive to Asahikawa is about 3 hours long, but we'll be making a stop in Otaru to get some of the freshest sushi available on the island.
We pack up our things, check out of Niseko, and head 80 minutes away to Kiroro. The drive weeds out all but the most dedicated skiers and leaves this underrated resort ripe for some excellent lines. Ski amazing tree lines, open bowls, and never encounter any lift lines. After finishing with Kiroro, we head to Central Hokkaido in pursuit of snow which is even lighter than that found in the Niseko Region. The drive to Asahikawa is about 3 hours long, but we'll be making a stop in Otaru to get some of the freshest sushi available on the island.
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We arrive in Hokkaido’s best kept ski secret—Asahikawa.
Unlike Niseko and Hakuba, Asahikawa isn’t frequented by foreigners and maintains a traditional Japanese air about it. Asahikawa isn’t a resort, it is a centrally located city with easy access to three different resorts which get vastly varying amounts snow depending on what the weather is doing. And that’s not all. If you can believe it, the snow in the Asahikawa region is even lighter than anywhere else in Japan including Niseko. The area around Asahikawa is truly the crème de la crème—the best of the best lift access snow on earth. From the Asahikawa base, we'll have easy access to Furano, Asahidake and Kamui Ski Links. |
Day 5: Ski Furano
Ski Furano, a large hill by Japanese standards, this hill offers fun off piste runs on some great steep terrain. Furano, like many of its Central Hokkado ski resort counterparts, receives even drier and fluffier snow than Niseko.
Day 6 Option #1 Ski Kamui Ski Links*
This fun resort is only 40 minutes away from our lodging in Asahikawa. Only frequented by locals and a handful of foreigners, you'll be amazed to look around and realize that you've got the entire hill to yourself. The smaller sized hill offers fun off piste off the back side as well as great tree runs in bounds as well.
Day 6 Option #2 Ski Asahidake*
The smoldering volcano of Asahidake offers more lift-access backcountry than a typical ski resort. Consisting of just one tram that leaves every 20 minutes, Asahidake is where you can find the very best quality pow that Hokkaido has to offer. It can get so deep and light that its scary. There is an additional ¥10,000 per person charge for this option, which includes a backcountry guided tour. As this is backcountry access terrain, it is absolutely mandatory that if you choose this option, you have both the proper equipment and are at an advanced-expert ski level.
*The final ski day on our Hokkaido Snow Tow provides two optional ski resorts, Kamui Ski Links and Asahidake. Simply put, Asahidake is lift-accessed back country with only a few groomers. Only advanced and expert skiers should choose the option of skiing Asahidake. There is an additional ¥10,000 per person cost for choosing this option, which includes a guided backcountry tour of the Asahidake ski area. Yes, this is a serious resort and yes, we find it necessary to include a backcountry guide for this option. Also keep in mind that there's usually only a 50% chance that we're able to ski here because it gets very stormy. In the event that we can't ski here, you'll get your guide money back and we'll all head to Kamui Ski Links instead.
Ski Furano, a large hill by Japanese standards, this hill offers fun off piste runs on some great steep terrain. Furano, like many of its Central Hokkado ski resort counterparts, receives even drier and fluffier snow than Niseko.
Day 6 Option #1 Ski Kamui Ski Links*
This fun resort is only 40 minutes away from our lodging in Asahikawa. Only frequented by locals and a handful of foreigners, you'll be amazed to look around and realize that you've got the entire hill to yourself. The smaller sized hill offers fun off piste off the back side as well as great tree runs in bounds as well.
Day 6 Option #2 Ski Asahidake*
The smoldering volcano of Asahidake offers more lift-access backcountry than a typical ski resort. Consisting of just one tram that leaves every 20 minutes, Asahidake is where you can find the very best quality pow that Hokkaido has to offer. It can get so deep and light that its scary. There is an additional ¥10,000 per person charge for this option, which includes a backcountry guided tour. As this is backcountry access terrain, it is absolutely mandatory that if you choose this option, you have both the proper equipment and are at an advanced-expert ski level.
*The final ski day on our Hokkaido Snow Tow provides two optional ski resorts, Kamui Ski Links and Asahidake. Simply put, Asahidake is lift-accessed back country with only a few groomers. Only advanced and expert skiers should choose the option of skiing Asahidake. There is an additional ¥10,000 per person cost for choosing this option, which includes a guided backcountry tour of the Asahidake ski area. Yes, this is a serious resort and yes, we find it necessary to include a backcountry guide for this option. Also keep in mind that there's usually only a 50% chance that we're able to ski here because it gets very stormy. In the event that we can't ski here, you'll get your guide money back and we'll all head to Kamui Ski Links instead.
Day 7: Transfers and the end of the trip OR ski a half day
Day 7 marks the end of the trip. You have a few options here depending on your time frame:
How does the Snow Tow compare to our other trips? Check out or trip comparison page.
- Leave in the morning and get dropped off at Sapporo's Chitose Airport by 11am
- Get dropped off at Sapporo Teine Ski resort at noon for a half day of skiing (return transportation and lift ticket not included)
- Get dropped off at Sapporo Station
How does the Snow Tow compare to our other trips? Check out or trip comparison page.