Required skill level (Renaissance Rider, Frontier Explorer and Storm Chaser)
Asahidake Ropeway, Northern Hokkaido
Since the 7-Day Hokkaido Snow Tow isn't guided, there is no required skill level as you'll be skiing on your own terms at your own pace. For the 14-Day Renaissance Rider, 8-Day Frontier Explorer and 8-Day Storm Chaser, the following applies:
This is an important question as no one wants to be in over their head, holding up a group or conversely spend their day standing around waiting for others to make it down the mountain. We fully understand this and want to make sure we communicate clearly about the expectations regarding this trip. In general, our trips are geared towards advanced-intermediate but within our trip options there is a range of skills that are required to make the most of your time out on the mountain. It all begins with you making an honest assessment of your abilities.
Japan Ski Tours reserves the right to direct guests to on-piste terrain if your guide determines that your skill level is insufficient to safely navigate off piste terrain and natural hazards on any group trip. Japan Ski Tours guides will NOT provide on-piste guiding (on groomers and in-bounds runs) for the weaker skier / rider but rather focus on skiing more challenging off-piste terrain with those that are capable. Refunds will not be offered in the event of this occurrence.
In general, we expect guests to be fairly proficient in off piste terrain - you don't necessarily have to have the best form or style but need to be capable of making your way down.
For snowboarders: critical skills are the ability to hold a strong edge allowing for good high traverses without losing too much elevation (particularly important to make the most of the back bowls) and the ability to read terrain effectively - you have to be just a bit smarter than the average skier to avoid the deep pow and flat spots. Also many runs will end with winding, bumpy trails through the forest that you will need to be able to navigate.
For skiers: the biggest challenge typically comes with skiing through deep snow and through trees. Much of the best skiable terrain occurs below treeline so its important that you are able to consistently turn where the terrain dictates. Managing this in deep snow is of particular importance. A great tool to help improve your ability is a good set of fat skis and we highly recommend upgrading with a rental ski for your trip with us if conditions are deep and you aren't skiing a fat ski.-
This is an important question as no one wants to be in over their head, holding up a group or conversely spend their day standing around waiting for others to make it down the mountain. We fully understand this and want to make sure we communicate clearly about the expectations regarding this trip. In general, our trips are geared towards advanced-intermediate but within our trip options there is a range of skills that are required to make the most of your time out on the mountain. It all begins with you making an honest assessment of your abilities.
Japan Ski Tours reserves the right to direct guests to on-piste terrain if your guide determines that your skill level is insufficient to safely navigate off piste terrain and natural hazards on any group trip. Japan Ski Tours guides will NOT provide on-piste guiding (on groomers and in-bounds runs) for the weaker skier / rider but rather focus on skiing more challenging off-piste terrain with those that are capable. Refunds will not be offered in the event of this occurrence.
- Your guide is not a ski instructor and will not be providing instruction on how to improve form, etc aside from perhaps a few anecdotal tips here and there.
- If you're planning on going into the side country (which is the same as backcountry terrain, just accessed by a lift), you'll need to know how to use an Avalanche Safety Set before you show up since it takes about 2 days to get fully antiquated with it. While your guide isn't an avalanche instructor, he'll be glad to provide refreshers and pointers on how to use the devices.
In general, we expect guests to be fairly proficient in off piste terrain - you don't necessarily have to have the best form or style but need to be capable of making your way down.
For snowboarders: critical skills are the ability to hold a strong edge allowing for good high traverses without losing too much elevation (particularly important to make the most of the back bowls) and the ability to read terrain effectively - you have to be just a bit smarter than the average skier to avoid the deep pow and flat spots. Also many runs will end with winding, bumpy trails through the forest that you will need to be able to navigate.
For skiers: the biggest challenge typically comes with skiing through deep snow and through trees. Much of the best skiable terrain occurs below treeline so its important that you are able to consistently turn where the terrain dictates. Managing this in deep snow is of particular importance. A great tool to help improve your ability is a good set of fat skis and we highly recommend upgrading with a rental ski for your trip with us if conditions are deep and you aren't skiing a fat ski.-
