Required skill level for the Tohoku and Hokkaido Storm Chasers

Our trips are targeted toward high intermediates and advanced riders

Our multi-day trips are geared toward strong intermediate and advanced powder riders. Experts are welcome but may find themselves waiting occasionally. Intermediates on powder will find themselves challenged from time to time. On our trips, no one is ever in over their head as the guide will be clear about the required skill level of each run, but beginners on powder are not recommended on these trips.

What does it mean to be a strong intermediate or advanced powder skier/rider?

Generally, you must be able to ski the whole mountain with confidence and at a reasonable speed in powder, through trees and in variable conditions. Snowboarders in this level are able to keep speed in flat sections by planning ahead as well as hold a solid traverse line and be able to hop up and maneuver in a way as to not slow down the group.

A few things to keep in mind

Japan Ski Tours reserves the right to direct guests to on-piste terrain if your guide determines that a guests skill level is insufficient to safely navigate off piste terrain and natural hazards on any group trip. JST 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 who 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. 
• Neither of our Storm Chaser trips include a "mountain host". The JST guides are there to provide guiding on lift-accessed, off-piste terrain, not to guide on groomers. 
• 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 safely before you come on any of our trips.

Specifically 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.

Specifically 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.