Tour Duration: 5 days
Price : 240,000yen/person
Departure Location: New Chitose Airport
Although Mt. Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain, is well-known, there are also many smaller local Fujis spread out around the country. Locals in Hokkaido are familiar with and fond of Ezo-Fuji (Yoteizan, 1,898m), one of these native Fujis, as the symbolic symbol of Abuta county, a booming agricultural area known for its fresh and high-quality agricultural produce.
Due to its top-notch powder snow, Niseko, a now-famous ski resort just close to Yoteizan, has long been regarded as the ultimate ski paradise. This 25 km long, 1,000 m high volcanic mountain range includes multiple peaks and offers a variety of backcountry skiing-friendly natural slopes.
On this tour, you will be accommodated in a luxurious Niseko hotel, then experience two days of guided backcountry skiing on a variety of scenic Niseko mountain slopes before tackling Yoteizan’s 1,500-meter hill. Gliding on feather-light powder snow in the middle of winter will undoubtedly be your most memorable experience.
Day 1 – Transfer from Airport to Niseko
At New Chitose Airport, which connects to Tokyo Haneda Airport or other airports with a sizable number of daily flights, you will meet a guide. You can reach Niseko, the present-day ski resort that is renowned throughout the world, after a two-hour private van ride. Numerous hotels provide hot springs as well as stunning views of the Niseko mountains and, in certain cases, Ezo-Fuji (Yoteizan 1,898m) directly in front of you. Unwind and relish your meal.
Day 2 – Guided Backcountry Skiing at Chise-Nupuri
After breakfast, we go a short distance to the 550-meter-high Chise-Nupuri parking. Putting climbing skins on your ski soles, you should begin climbing a deserted ski slope until you reach an abandoned chairlift facility, which is located at an elevation of 830 meters. You can ascend and glide down the expansive Chise-Nupuri* (1,134m) slope, which is fashioned like Mt. Fuji. You can attempt skiing on nearby peaks like Shakunage-Dake (1,074m) and Nito-Nupuri if the weather allows (1,080m). We go skiing and then head back to the hotel.
Day 3 – Guided Backcountry Skiing at Weisshorn
We travel a short distance to the 500-meter-high Hanazono area after breakfast. Start climbing on the snow-covered road and in the valley of the Iwo River after adhering the climbing skins to your ski soles. We trek up the relatively steep south-eastern face of Weisshorn from the river’s middle (1,045m). You can climb and ski on the sizable slope. If the weather permits, you can attempt skiing on this peak’s other side, which was once a cat-ski course, or on some of its nearby neighbors, including IwaoNupuri (1,116m) and Niseko-Ann-Nupuri (1,308m). We go skiing and then head back to the hotel.
Day 4 – Guided Backcountry Skiing at Ezo-Fuji (Yoteizan)
After breakfast, we drive for 30 minutes to a parking lot at the base of the 320-meter-high Ezo-Fuji. Installing the climbing skins on your ski soles will allow you to begin ascending through the forest. As you ascend, the slope will progressively get steeper until you reach the point above the tree lines at an elevation of about 1,000 meters. Depending on the surface, you might need to use ski crampons. We must carry the skis and wear the crampons on our boots if the ground is icy and slick. One of the enduring recollections will be the breathtaking vista from the highest point (1,898 meters).
It may also be feasible to ski into the top crater before descending down a 1,500-meter-long, steady huge slope free of any distracting items. We go skiing and then back to the hotel.
Day 5 – Transfer to Airport
After breakfast, a two hour drive with a private van will take you to New Chitose Airport.
