SECRET JAPOW

Wildlife

Sightseeing

Active

City Life

Culture

Relax

YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE

A backcountry adventure into the powder capital of the world, Central Hokkaido. Based in Asahikawa, each day takes you deeper into a playground of endless snow. From perfectly spaced birch trees to wide open alpine bowls, this is the land of legendary Japow: light, deep, and bottomless. On this trip, you’ll spend more time in the white room than in the rest of your riding career, with every climb rewarded by playful descents and pure immersion in winter’s most magical form

HIGHLIGHTS

Ski with a local certified guide who knows every line in the region
Base yourself in Asahikawa, a unique japanese town in the heart of Hokkaido
All logistics from Sapporo Airport to Asahikawa handled by the Esploro team
Explore vast, uncrowded backcountry terrain in the heart of Hokkaido
Enjoy warm Hokkaido hospitality, authentic Japanese cuisine, and the unique culture of the north of Japan

DEPARTURE DATES

January 2027 - dates TBA

£2,850.00

6 available

2027 DATES DROPPING SOON

Get Priority Access

Limited spots, high demand, and dates that don’t stay open long. Get notified first when new departures are released.

We’d love to talk it through

Get in touch to schedule a call or live chat and explore the trip in detail, shaping it around your timing, interests, and expectations.

Tailor-Made Journeys

We can tailor the journey around your needs, offering private departures and the option to extend the trip to other regions of Japan.

CONTACT US

KEY INFORMATION

DAY 1 – Arrival in Sapporo

Arrive at New Chitose Airport (CTS), meet the group and your Esploro Travel team leader. We’ll travel together in a private rental van to Asahikawa, our base for the week. We’ll stop en route for lunch (not included). Evening welcome briefing and review of the week’s plan.

DAY 2 – Warm-up day and first turns

After the first Japanese breakfast, the day begins slow to align the group. Weather and visibility decide our warm‑up: Furano’s lift‑served backcountry or the softer tree lines along Asahidake’s lower slopes. Guides lead a skills check, safety refresher, and short tour, setting rhythm and pace for the rest of the trip.

DAY 3-7 – Powder hunting in Central Hokkaido

Each day the guide selects the zone based on snowpack, wind, and visibility. Options include:

Asahidake: Gondola-access tree lines and storm-day larch glades, and, if conditions align, one of the most memorable descents of your life, skiing among the fumaroles of an active volcano.
Daisetsuzan Range: touring days on nearby peaks for more challenging terrain when stability is good.
Furano Backcountry: playful pillows, birch forests, and repeatable laps with efficient uptracks.
Northern secret spots beyond Asahikawa: quiet trailheads and cold-smoke stashes when the radar says go.

Expect mainly full human-powered ascents with some lift-assisted touring in the mix. Daily plan includes safety briefing, route choice, and debrief. Evenings in Asahikawa with local ramen or sushi and optional onsen sessions to reset the legs.

DAY 8 – Final tour and transfer to Sapporo City

A last morning of touring in the best zone of the area, maximizing those final Japow laps. After a late lunch (not included), transfer to Sapporo for a celebratory night in the city (Susukino area).

DAY 9 – Departure

Breakfast and drive to New Chitose Airport (CTS) for your international flight home.

Land at New Chitose Airport (CTS), the gateway to Japan’s northern frontier. We’ll meet you there and head north to Asahikawa, Central Hokkaido’s powder capital. The drive is an easy two hours through snow‑buried fields and onsen towns trailing clouds of steam. As the Daisetsuzan peaks emerge ahead, it hits you: this isn’t just a ski trip. It’s a pilgrimage to the Mecca of powder riding.

Accommodation & Meals

7 nights accommodation at 3 stars hotel in Asahikawa
1 night in Sapporo at a city hotel (departure nights)
All breakfasts included

Ski touring

7 days of certified local ski guide

Transfers

Airport pick-up and drop-off, transfer to Asahikawa, and daily transportation to tour starting point and arrival point with 4x4 van

Extras

Esploro Travel trip leader throughout the journey
Assistance with special dietary requirements (please notify in advance)
Free time for visiting Asahikawa onsen, shopping centers and japanese restaurants

All lunches, dinners, and additional food and drink
Gas for rented van (shared between participants)
Ski passes (if needed)
Ski equipment and avalanche safety gear
Travel insurance (mandatory)
International flights to/from New Chitose Airport (CTS)
Tips and personal expenses

Advanced

This trip is designed for experienced skiers and splitboarders comfortable riding very deep powder and climbing 800+ vertical meters per day with skins, for several consecutive days. Solid fitness, backcountry awareness, and prior touring experience are essential.

From January to February, Central Hokkaido is at the peak of its legendary powder season. Daytime temperatures in Asahikawa average –6 to –12 °C, while the higher elevations of the Daisetsuzan range often drop well below –15 °C. Storms roll in frequently from Siberia, delivering the dry, bottomless snow that makes Hokkaido famous worldwide. Between storms, crisp bluebird days open up perfect conditions for ski touring — from mellow tree runs to open bowls.

Ski Gear

Your own ski (105mm minimum width) or splitboard
Touring bindings and ski crampons
Skins in good condition
Telescopic poles
Ski touring or splitboard boots
Ski helmet
Two pair of goggles for different light conditions
Crampons and light axe optional depending on itinerary

Safety gear

ARTVA avalanche transceiver
Shovel and probe
Avalanche airbag backpack optional but recommended
Personal first aid kit

Travel Essentials

Travel insurance covering: ski touring, avalanche rescue, medical evacuation, repatriation
Power plug/adapter for Type A (same as US)
Reusable water bottle
Cash to be withdrawn at the airport
Medications regularly taken or required

Snow & Conditions

Q: What level of ski/splitboard experience do I need?
A: This trip is for intermediate+ to advanced skiers/snowboarders. You should be confident in riding very deep powder, and to hike up 800d+ for multiple days in a row.

Q: What kind of terrain can I expect?
A: The terrain in Central Hokkaido ranges from sheltered larch forests and playful tree lines for stormy days, to wide-open alpine bowls and volcanic ridges when the skies clear.

Q: Do I need to bring my own ski/board/avalanche gear?
A: You can rent everything in Asahikawa, but having your own gear is strongly suggested.

Q: Do I need an avalance backpack?
A: The snowpack in Hokkaido is relatively stable and the avalanche backpack is not mandatory but strongly suggested.

Logistics

Q: How do I get to Hokkaido?
A: Fly into New Chitose Airport (CTS), Sapporo’s main international hub. From there, a private rented van will take you directly to Asahikawa, the gateway to Central Hokkaido’s backcountry.

Q: How many people are in the group?
A: We keep it small and riding-focused, maximum 5 + our tour leader. This means more flexibility, more untracked powder, and a more personal atmosphere.

Q: Is this trip suitable for solo travelers?
A: Absolutely. Most of our guests come solo.

Life in Hokkaido

Q: What’s the accommodation like?
A: We’ll stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel in the heart of Asahikawa, within walking distance of local restaurants, izakayas, and shops — the perfect base to explore Central Hokkaido’s powder capital.

Q: What’s included in the food and drink?
A: Breakfast is included at all hotels. Lunches are usually simple packed meals picked up from local konbini and enjoyed during our backcountry tours. Dinners are reserved for exploring the rich and diverse flavors of Japanese cuisine.

Q: Is there internet access?
A: Yes, the hotel has wifi, but we suggest to buy a local sim at the airport or, even better, to buy an e-sim before leaving.

Practicalities

Q: Do I need travel insurance?
A: Yes, comprehensive travel insurance is required, including coverage for backcountry skiing, outdoor activities, and medical evacuation.

Q: What’s the best time of year to go?
A: The best time of the winter is between January and February, when the magic of Japowder happens.

Travel With

FEDERICO ROMANELLO

Federico Romanello

There are three things Fede Romanello can’t live without: powder, waves, and adventure. Founding Esploro Travel was the natural outcome of those three passions. Fede has snowboarded all over the world — from Kashmir to Alaska — but Hokkaido is the place he keeps coming back to. There’s just one side effect of joining him: you’ll likely start thinking about the next destination before you’ve even returned from the last one.
You’ve been warned.

BOOKING & CANCELLATION

A deposit is required to confirm your spot. Remaining balance is due 60 days before departure. If life happens and you need to change plans, cancellations made up to 60 days prior are eligible for a refund, depending on timing and conditions. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and adventure activities is required.
Full details in Terms & Conditions

STILL GOT QUESTIONS?

Contact our team at bookings@esplorotravel.com

The Endless Winter

Because one trip is never enough when there’s always another peak to chase.

Country/Region

Language