Japan Freeride Camp
18-27 Jan 2024
Overview
Every freeride fanatic’s wildest dream is to ride in Japan and sink neck-deep into the powder. On our trip to Hokkaido, besides the world’s best quality snow, you get to experience riding on volcanoes, unique Japanese culture and cuisine, and the reenergizing effect of the Onsen volcanic thermal bath.
DURATION
10 days / 9 nights*
MEETING POINT
Sapporo International Airport (CTS) / Hokkaido, Japan
LOCATION
Annupuri village, Niseko / Hokkaido Japan
ACCOMMODATION
8 nights in Ride House next to Annupuri gondola, 1 night in capsule hotel in Sapporo
SNOW PACKAGE
Daily freeride guiding (in Annupuri, Moiwa, Hirafu and Rusutsu resorts), lift passes, theoretical and practical avalanche/safety briefings
PRICE
€ 2990
*The duration of the trip lasts from meeting at Sapporo International Airport (CTS) / Hokkaido, Japan until the flight home from the same airport.
Description
Japanese culture meets winter sports
500 kilometres from Tokyo is Hokkaido – the northernmost island of Japan. In the colder months, Hokkaido becomes a winter wonderland where mystical stories from ancient Japan abound. There are volcano-shaped mountains, the unique smell of sulphur, the non-stop snowfall, classic Japanese streetscapes, and hot springs that boil under falling snow. These elements come together to create the kind of tranquillity that is totally unlike what you can find in Europe.
Snow falls practically every day here. As a result, roads twist and turn between 4-meter snow walls. As the temperatures almost never creep above 0 degrees, the snow doesn’t become wet and heavy, and you’ll always find fresh, powdery snow. In fact, nearby Sapporo is actually one of the cities with the most snowfall in the world – in boasts even more than Helsinki or Oslo! In its snowiest years, Niseko can receive up to 17 meters of the white stuff.
If this is your first time skiing in Japan, you might have quite a few pleasant surprises. There’ll be plenty of ‘aha’ moments when you compare the Japanese to western ski resorts. For example, the care and precision the Japanese have when looking after the snow conditions.
Artistic elegance and care
This attention to detail is applied to everything, from the service you get in restaurants to the cleanliness and quality of the food. For example, at the bottom of each ski lift is a vending machine, but not those dirty ones that barely ever work, these are engineering feats! The soup offered in these vending machines is piping hot and surprisingly good! After a few hours on the slopes, a bowl of delicious, hot soup or a natural green tea is just what you need! And of course, in the ski lodges it’s not Austrian dumplings you’ll get, but ramen noodles and seafood. Don’t be afraid to dive in and enjoy with gusto – it’s polite to slurp your noodles!
Japanese culture is more closely related to the nature-loving style of old-world Japan rather than the more modern version of Japan that you’d find in Tokyo. Instead of sweating it out in saunas, we’ll take a hot soak in an onsen – Japanese-style hot springs and baths. There’s no better feeling after a hard day skiing than relaxing your muscles in 45-degree thermal water.
If you’re obsessed with skiing or snowboarding on powder snow, then this is your place! You can spend every day crisscrossing fresh snow, and unlike in Europe, skiing off-piste in Japan is safer as there aren’t glacier breaks and avalanches are rarer, too.
Sinking neck deep into the worlds best powder
On the hike to Annupuri peak the view of the Yotei Volcano is breathtaking
Our snowcovered ride house located only a 2 minute walk away from the Annupuri gondola
After a long day we’ll unwind in the hot volcanic thermal waters of an Onsen
The ridges here have the biggest and softest snow pillows you have ever seen
Get yourself ready for steamy rich ramens, delicious dumplings, and fresh sushi
A fallen birch tree is the best version of a natural kicker
You will get tired of face shoots :)
After a really heavy snowfall we might have to dig a little to get out of the house
The local street food is amazing, have you ever tried Oysters on grill?
Freeriding down a volcano is truly an amazing experience
Spraying the powder will be easier than ever
Birch forest trails provide the best natural slalom track
Everything looks like it's been covered by the finest white powdered sugar
Freeriding and great adventures always bring together a great group of people
At our favorite local sushi restaurant
Sapporo is the biggest city of the northern island with unique nightlife and gastronomy
Csabi got what he came for
In the hüttes here the menu is really different, but a fresh tempura bowl will give you a lot of energy for riding
Just glide in the powder snow and make every turn look perfect
For the best lines we will hike and explore unridden valleys
Our guides have the local knowledge to show you all the best secret spots
Details
JAPOW - FREERIDE POWDER CAMP
18-27 Jan 2024
The duration of the trip lasts from meeting at Sapporo International Airport (CTS) / Hokkaido, Japan until the flight home from the same airport. The flight there and back might take an extra day, depending on where you are travelling from.
€ 2990
Included in the price
- Ski to door accommodation for 8 nights in Annupuri in double rooms with breakfast included
- 1 night in a Capsule Hotel in Sapporo city center
- 6 dinners
- Unlimited 7-day ski passes valid in all Niseko region
- Cost-effective organization of catskiing or visit to other resorts upon request
- 2 Experienced GoBeyond tour leaders with good local knowledge
- Transfers between Sapporo airport and Niseko
- Transfers between ski resorts
Optional extras
- Catskiing day or Yotei Volcano freeriding trips are extra 400 EUR.
Further expenses
- Plane tickets to and from the meeting point – Sapporo International Airport (CTS) / Hokkaido, Japan
- VISA
- Travel insurance (includes freeriding, valid in Japan)
- Personal expenses
- Lunches, 3 dinners and drinks
- Additional ski pass in case of catskiing or visit to other resorts
Accommodation
Our base is a proper ride house located only a 2 minute walk away from the Annupuri gondola. It is operated by a local snowboard fanatic and features a cosy public area, magazines, movies, a well-equipped public kitchen, wax room, and 4 person bedrooms with bunk beds. Our last night will be in a Capsule Hotel in Sapporo city center.
Snow package
The most important thing for us is to ride the best, snowiest areas as much as possible!In addition to Annupuri, we will night ski in the forests of Hirafu, rip in Moiwa – known for its “nothing but powder” slogan as well as its famous and well-documented steep pillow lines, and check out Rusutsu for a day, from where we can enjoy a glimpse of the ocean.Our home resort, Annupuri, operates from 9 AM till 9 PM. Its floodlit pistes get filled with fresh powder snow nearly every evening and are left untracked.
Weather
Dry cold with temperatures between – 2°C and – 11°C in the valley and -15°C and -25°C at the peak. You can expect strong winds with fog, but also a few sunny days.
Group
Maximum of 14 people usually mixed nationalities. For freeriding we will have 2 groups based on skill level.
Photo & Video
All the photos and videos you see are from our previous camps. We produce high-quality content of all our camps, which you will receive after returning home to remember all the amazing memories.
Personal expenses
Depending on spending habits your budget for the trip should range from 500-700 EUR. For reference, a meal is between 5-25 EUR, entry to onsen thermal bath is approx. 8 EUR.
Meals
Besides the amount and quality of snow, one of the biggest differences between a regular snow-trip and Japow is the food. Forget the wiener schnitzel-gulasch-germknödel trio and get yourself ready for steamy rich ramens, delicious dumplings, and fresh sushi. Sometimes we’ll buy goods in the shop and cook together, other nights we’ll go out to eat in the neighbourhood.
Snow conditions
The driest, deepest, fluffiest powder in the world with a moisture content of around 8%, making it impossible to form a snowball. Niseko receives an average of 14 meters of snow in a winter which we can enjoy to the fullest riding down on volcanoes and birch forest trails.
Local transportation
Comfortable bus with heating, toilet and WIFI for transfers from airport, resort shuttles, buses and mountain taxis for daily transport.
Activities & sights
Loving the Japanese snow won’t keep us from experiencing the compelling Japanese mentality and lifestyle to the fullest. Traditional hot spring baths (onsens), famous local sushi, yakitori and ramen restaurants are all on the menu. On the last day we’ll also have the chance to enjoy Sapporo’s world-famous gastronomy and nightlife.
Travel insurance
You should choose an insurance which covers going off-piste, and is valid in Japan. You can contact us and we are happy to recommend the most suitable one.
Program
DAY 1 - Arrival
The group will meet in the morning at the arrivals hall of Sapporo New Chitose Airport. We will take a 3 hour bus ride to Annupuri where we will occupy our accommodation. As soon as everyone settled in we will have a kick-off briefing around 6PM followed by a theoretical avalanche and safety training. After this we will have dinner at a traditional Yakisoba restaurant.
DAY 2 - Safety first!
Breakfast followed by a tour of Annupuri resort and our first guided freeride session. Here we will assess the riding ability of everyone. Safety and avalanche briefing. We will have lunch in a Japanese Hütte, and after the extraordinary Hütte experience we will have the second freeride session in Annupuri resort. Wrapping up our first day with shopping for some food in Kutchan. We will have dinner in the ridehouse.
DAY 3 - Onsens
Starting the day with a hearty breakfast and a guided freeride session followed by avalanche rescue and safety team exercises. After lunch we will head to a volcanic thermal bath or as the locals call it Onsen. After the reenergizing experience we will do some night skiing in Annupuri, followed by dinner at a local Yakitori restaurant. Optional drinks and apres ski in Hirafu.
DAY 4 - Summit hike
Breaky at the accommodation, guided freeride and lunch in the local Hütte. After lunch we will head for a summit hike freeride session to Annupuri peak. Optional night riding in Annupuri, dinner at the ride house.
DAY 5 - Moiwa
After breakfast we will head for Moiwa resort where the best powder in the world awaits us. We make the most out of the day, have a quick lunch in a Japanese hütte then we will freeride from Moiwa to Annupuri together. We will wind down in Hirafu with some shopping and a few cold ones.
DAY 6 - Rusutsu
Early morning start, in order to arrive at Rusutsu resort on time, which is about 1.5 hours away by bus. After some guided rounds in Rusutsu we will have the chance to ride on the best pillow lines in Japan. We will have lunch at Rusutsu and finish the day with a transfer to Hirafu where we will have some Aprés-ski drinks.
DAY 7 - Goshiki Valley
After our morning routine we’ll head for a hike freeride run from Annupuri summit gliding down to Goshiki Valley where we will have lunch and dive in the hot & bubbling Onsens. We’ll get home the best way with a hike to Moiwa ridge gliding back to Annupuri valley. Optional night ride and a splendid sushi dinner in Rankoshi, a local fishing town.
DAY 8 - Night ride
Breaky at the ride house, guided freeride and lunch in the local Hütte. We finish early, get some rest and after dark head for the best night riding of your life in Hirafu resort where you can freeride on the artificially light mountain. After a cold and fun session we will enjoy the local traditional dishes of Hirafu village.
DAY 9 - Peaks & Onsens
Breakfast, then we head for the Annupuri resort for a guided freeride session, followed by a yummy ramen in a hütte for lunch. In the afternoon we’ll head for an Annupuri peak ride followed by a reenergizing dip in the Onsens. This night we visit a classic karaoke restaurant, where you can taste some wagyu beef steaks and have a blast.
DAY 10 - Sapporo
We say goodbye to the mountains and head to Sapporo Airport (3 hour bus ride). After we drop off the bags and equipment at the airport we take the train to the city center and check in to a capsule hotel. Quick sightseeing in the city, lunch at the fish market, souvenir shopping and dinner at a traditional ramen restaurant. For our final night we will have an awesome party in Japan’s nr.1 Red light district.
DAY 11 - Departure
Check out from the capsule hotel at 10AM after breakfast. Followed by a scenic train ride on the coast of the sea of Japan. Quick visit & lunch in a fishing village in the afternoon, then we head for the Sapporo airport. The group splits up and heads back home with the most amazing freeriding memories and new powder friends.
The program is subject to change at any times. The final itinerary depends on current weather and snow conditions, the group’s skiing/snowboarding skills and stamina.
Application
1
ENQUIRY
Call us, Email us or use the form below
2
AVAILABILITY CONFIRMATION
We will get back to you within 48h
3
BOOKING
Secure your spot with a 40% deposit & travel contract
4
PLANE TICKETS & VISA ARRANGEMENT IF NEEDED
Typically 1-2 months before departure
5
SECOND INSTALMENT
30 days before departure
6
GoBeyond ADVENTURE STARTS
We greet you at the meeting point
Get in touch with us
Phone: +43 660 552 2466 | Email: hello@gobeyond.travel
Snow trips
Japan Freeride Camp
Q&A
Not at all. Half of the group usually comes alone, so you can be sure you'll make new friends!
If you ride with confidence on stronger red slopes and you feel like going off-piste then this is your camp! There will be more guides, and groups will be divided according to different skill levels, so you don't need to be worried about waiting for others or others waiting for you. By the way, the mountains generally aren't steep and the freeriding is a lot safer in Japan compared to Europe.
We will stay in the northern part of Japan in the winter time. Be prepared for everything between -25 and +5 degrees, especially for heavy snowfall with strong wind. Lots of layers are always better than a super warm down jacket.
Since local guides are extremely expensive and we are trying to organise the Japanese trip with the best price/value ratio, the tour will be led by our guides (Jano, Gaspar, David, or Dani), all of them backed up by local experience and knowledge.
Powder skis, transceiver, probe, shovel, a good pair of goggles with clear or yellow lenses, spare gloves, and the usual stuff you would take for any ski trip.
With 500-700 EUR you’ll have good times with some Kobe steak, daily onsens, and Japanese whiskey specialities included. In case you fancy a catskiing day, or private freeriding hike to Yotei Volcano its extra 400 EUR.
You should choose an insurance which expands for going off-piste, and is valid in Japan. You should be aware that the insurance of your bank card are not valid in most cases.
We’ll be staying in the northern part of Japan, close to Sapporo, on an island called Hokkaido.
You should expect great, fresh, and healthy food. Few things are better than a huge steaming ramen bowl between two chest deep powder laps. Fruits and seafood are expensive though, and you won’t find the European kind of healthy bread.
Our base is a proper ride house located only a 2 minute walk away from the Annupuri gondola. It is operated by a local snowboard fanatic and features a cosy public area, magazines, movies, a well-equipped public kitchen, wax room, and 4 person bedrooms with bunk beds. Our last night will be in a Capsule Hotel in Sapporo city center.
The local currency is the japanese yen JPY. There are plenty of exchange offices at the airport and also several ATMS. You should change money at the airport, because on the mountain it will be harder. You can pay by card almost everywhere we go, but transaction fees can be high so we recommend having enough cash.
Travelers from most countries across the globe can visit Japan for up to 90 days without requiring a visa. Link for list of countries: https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/visa-info/
CHECK MORE SNOW TRIPS
It is safe to say that GoBeyond was created because the founder is a fanatic freerider, and he had not found any organized ski trips that lived up to his expectations - to score untracked powder on a great terrain, regardless of how far we have to travel to find it.
Although we like infrastructure, we are not afraid to climb for a good ride off-piste.
When we go on a ski trip, we like to indulge in the culinary and wellness options of the given country.
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