Skip to content
Group Size
Up to 8 guests per guide
Terrain
Variety of terrain
Up & Down
Average 1200 meters up
Accommodation
Mix of Hotels and Traditional Japanese Onsens

Since 2012 we have had the pleasure of spending the better parts of January and February each year, skiing with Hiro San and his team in the forests of Hokkaido. We have been completely blown away by the completeness of the whole experience. Not only have we enjoyed the driest, deepest and most reliable quality power snow that we have ever experienced in all our years of skiing but we have also submerged ourselves in the culture of this incredible country with its rich traditions, fantastic food and amazing people. 

Dates & Prices

Our prices are listed in Icelandic Krona and are per person. For the most up to date foreign currency conversion rate please refer to the rates listed on the Central Bank of Iceland.

PRICES ARE BASED ON MINIMUM 8 GUESTS (Group size 8-10). We will announce 2025 Dates and Prices soon. If you would like to be kept up to date about our Japan programs please CONTACT US  and we will add you to our 2025 list.

2024: 6 day
program
620.000 ISK

JANUARY 2024 (2025 Dates TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON) 
JAP-01 Jan 6-14
JAP-02 Jan 14-22
JAP-03 Jan 22-30

Included

  • Professional guidance of a fully certified Ski guide and assistant guide
  • Accommodation including breakfast and dinners for 8 nights in double rooms (single room supplement 60,000 JPY)
  • All transportation during the week in two 4x4 Toyota minivans
  • 7 Days guided ski touring

Not included 

  • Flights to and from Sapporo/Asahikawa
  • Lunches (Every day we stop at convenience stores for resupplying)
  • Lift tickets
  • Drinks
  • Personal expenses
  • Insurance

Itinerary

ARRIVAL DAY

Arrival in Sapporo/Chitose airport on Hokkaido Island where you will be picked up by your guides and start the drive to Niseko (approx. 3hrs). Dinner together with the group at the Hotel followed by going over the gear and trip plan.

DAY 1 - 3

Ski touring the south part of Hokkaido Island wherever the best snow and weather permits us to go. There are endless options to choose from including easy lift-accessed touring as well as the famous cone shaped volcano of Yotei-zan, often referred to as the Mt Fuji of Hokkaido. We will be spending three nights at the same lodge to maximise our skiing days. On day three we will move to the seaside city of Otaru on our way north.

DAY 4

Transfer day north with some good touring along the way. Arrival in the Asahikawa/ Furano area

 

DAY 5-7

We will base here for three nights to maximise the skiing possibilities. Northern and Central Hokkaido offer up the coldest snow on the island and some hidden gems out of the way of all the regular zones that people tend to ski on the island. Here you also have the option if the weather permits to ski Asahidake, the highest peak on Hokkaido Island at 2290m. On the night of day 7 we will move one last time to a downtown hotel in Asahikawa for a good night on the town to celebrate our tour!

DAY 8

Transfer to Asahikawa airport in the AM, flight back to the main island and on to new adventures.

 

Packing List

CLOTHING

  • Waterproof Jacket – Lightweight + breathable (good to have a ultra-light snow shedding jacket)
  • Waterproof pants - lightweight + breathable (Good to have venting zippers)
  • Base layer (wool or synthetic, recommend multiple thinner top layers)
  • Soft Shell pants (Optional)
  • Soft Shell or fleece jacket (Optional)
  • Down or fibre jacket for colder days and lunch in the field.
  • Thicker down or fibre jacket for the days on deck and wildlife viewing.
  • Fleece or wool jumper mid layer or equivalent.
  • Warm Hat
  • Neck gaiter, Buff and or Facemask
  • Warm Ski Gloves (thin and thick pair)
  • Ski socks (3 pair of wool or equivalent)
  • General streetwear (for dinners and town walks)
  • Swimsuit (most all Onsen are are seperated to male and female and do not mix, swim suits are optional and locals go without) 
  • Hiking boots/winter boots

SKIING & RIDING EQUIPMENT

  • Skis (Ski touring, telemark, or split board) Recommend 95-115mm underfoot
  • *Ski touring boots / snowboard boots.
  • Ski straps – used to attach skis on backpack during climbs.
  • Skins
  • Ski crampons (Must have)
  • Ski poles, preferably adjustable. (Snowboarders should consider using a three-peace ski pole to attach to the backpack during descents)
  • Transceiver
  • Avalanche probe (240cm or longer)
  • Shovel
  • Backpack 30-40 liter with ski attachments
  • Helmet (Optional but recommended)
  • Ski goggles

MISC.

  • Water container + thermos (it gets pretty cold and camelbacks have been known to freeze)
  • Sun + lip cream
  • Water Container + Thermos
  • Sunglasses
  • Repair kit and spare parts. (Bring spare parts specific to your bindings and boots. The guides will carry a full repair kit so keep yours light).
  • Personal medications + blister kit
  • Earplugs and eyeshades
  • Camera
  • Toiletries (Toothbrush, paste, shaver etc.)
  • Passport
  • Cash in JPY currency (It is good to have a little cash for incidentals)
  • Necessary chargers, cords, and adapters (Type A and B adapters)

 

 

Please have your ski boots in carry on baggage during your flights to Japan.

DOWNLOAD PACKING LIST

FAQ

  • Why choose Bergmenn Mountain Guides

    There are several reasons for choosing Bergmenn Mountain Guides. Please visit our WHY BERGMENN page for further information

    • Adventure of a lifetime
    • Chance to ski from the peak right down to the  Ocean (*on our Iceland, Svalbard and Antarctica trips)
    • Iceland's only certified Mountain Guides with over 20 years of experience operating ski trips on the Troll Peninsula and around the world
    • Unique cultural experience
    • Awesome food and company
  • Can snowboarders join your programs?

    Of course!  We do not discriminate against our single board friends as long as you bring your own split board.  Although our guides use skis for guiding they have years of experience guiding snowboarders and are very conscious in choosing the appropriate terrain when necessary (so no long flat runouts!).  Please be aware that we do not carry split boards in our rental fleet guests must bring their own splitboards. 

  • Can you help with travel planning before or after a trip?

    We can offer some assistance with your travel plans or point you in the right direction of a travel agency in Iceland. The following page has a lot of information and ideas for pre and post program planning in Iceland. For trips outside of Iceland we are happy to assist as well, just let us know. 

    TRAVEL IN ICELAND