8-Day Tohoku Storm Chaser

The Tohoku Storm Chaser
The Guided and Hosted Ski and Snowboard Trip Operating in the Tohoku region

8-days, 7 nights, 6 hills, 2 bases, 1-to-4 client ratio, two days of tram-accessed backcountry riding at the legendary Hakkoda Ropeway in Aomori

Best for Strong Intermediate to Advanced level riders/skiers (more on rider ability level here)

An avalanche safety kit (beacon, shovel, probe) is required for this trip. If you don't have your own, you can rent one during the checkout process!

This trip includes a half-day of Cat skiing at our own dedicated powder zone

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Touring gear is required for this trip! While lift-access powder is the goal, we'll put in some work to get those freshies if we need to. Touring rigs (AT skis/split boards) can be rented during the checkout process. Never toured before? No problem, we'll help you pick up a new skill :)

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This video is made of scenes from the guided Tohoku Storm Chaser and the unguided Tohoku Indy Trips

View pricing

Secure your spot with a 50% deposit. The remaining balance is due on December 1.
Earlybird price until August 31: ¥389,000 (≈ US$2,980)
Price after August 31: ¥419,000 (≈ US$3,200)

*All prices include 13% taxes and 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.

TRIP CALENDAR

The Deets

Tohoku is the most recent discovery in the Japan ski scene. Reminiscent of now famous resort areas like Niseko 15 years ago, the Tohoku region has lots of pow and no lines. Japan Ski Tours went out and found the most untracked, uncrowded and unknown ski hills in the Tohoku region and put them on a platter right here, on the 8-day Tohoku Storm Chaser.

We ski 6 different hills and base out of two main cities in the snowy frontier of Tohoku, Japan. Where we ski each day depends on where has the best snow.

Could it get any better? Yes, because we've also thrown in a half-day of Cat skiing into the mix for the most epic ski trip cocktail you could get.

Staying true to our mission of incorporating cultural experiences, authentic restaurants, and trip-hosting by capable staff, this is the next level tour for finding that hidden side of Japow you know exists, but can't seem to find.

Itinerary
Inclusions
Lodging
Logistics
Food

Day 1: Meet and Greet
There are three options of where to meet the group.

Meet at Hanamaki Airport "Hana Shop and Cafe" on the first floor at 3:30pm
Meet at Morioka Station South Exit by 4:45pm on day-one of your tour
Meet at our hotel in Morioka by 5:30pm on day-one of your tour

Day 2-5: Storm Chase the Morioka Area

We spend 4 ski-days storm chasing in this region. Depending on the conditions, we choose from the powder buffet of Geto Kogen, Tazawako, Hachimantai Panorama, Shizukuishi, Appi Kogen or one of the smaller Shimokura, Amihari or Iwate Snowpark ski hills. On day 5 we'll transfer bases from Morioka to Aomori, which is about a 2.5 hour drive.

Our aim is to ski the best, easiest access powder. If conditions warrant, we'll switch into touring mode and do a few 30 minute tours here and there to access the best possible powder.

Day 6-8: Ride the slack-country gem of Hakkoda

Hakkoda is one of best undiscovered gems left to be found in the Japow universe. Hakkoda is a single tram that opens up incredible backcountry terrain. Our Hakkoda experience is "slack-country" or "side-country", that means that, while the tram takes care of 90% of elevation gain, we'll still be hiking anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes per run on terrain that varies from flat traverses to moderate climbs. Since we'll be doing 2 runs per day, that means we'll be touring for between 1-3 hours per day.

Don't have touring gear? No problem, we've got rental options for both AT skis and Splitboards during the checkout process.

Day 8: Drop off day

On the final day of this tour, guests are dropped off at the local bullet train station where most of our guests take a 3.5 hour high-speed train back to Tokyo.

Included

All lodging. Our lodging is based on shared twin rooms

Daily breakfast featuring western and Japanese options

All lift tickets at 6 different resorts for each of the 6 ski days

Our English speaking guides will navigate you to the best off-piste/side-country powder possible on any given day

Half day of Cat Skiing. Yes, fulfill your Cat fantasy as we hire out a Cat and ski down an abandoned ski hill (one of many in this region!). Cat skiing in Japan is different from North America--check out what to expect here.

All transportation beginning with a pickup at Morioka Station, a stop on the bullet train line OR a pickup at Hanamaki Airport (HNA)

Daily dinner reservations at restaurants that serve different types of Japanese cuisine (participation optional but highly recommended!)

see full list of inclusions here

Lodging

On the Tohoku Storm Chaser you'll stay in western-style, modern, clean accommodation which is centrally located and walking distance to downtown amenities. This makes a quick nightcap on the town or a local karaoke session a breeze. The daily buffet style breakfasts feature some local specialties with both Japanese and western options.

Pricing and occupancy are based on shared twin rooms
If you'd prefer to have your own room, please select this option during checkout. Single rooms are subject to availability and an additional cost of ¥60,000 per person.
Each room has its own private toilet and shower
Our hotels offer both Japanese and western options for breakfast every morning in a buffet style and also feature a lounge for a laid back après-ski

Tohoku Storm Chaser

The Deets

Included

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