Japon Hokkaido et Niseko - Ski Hors-piste

Off-piste and backcountry FREE RANDO in JAPAN, HOKKAIDO ISLAND

Is the best powder snow of our planet found in Japan, on Hokkaido northern island?
In Japan, the practice of freeride, on skis and snowboarding, is done in an incredibly light powder snow, mostly in forests on shallow slopes from the ski-lifts. The snowboard and ski runs offer generally 700 to 900 m vertical drop. If we want to find steep runs we have to go ski-touring, practicing backcountry skiing or boarding, ascending with skins on the slopes of volcanoes. Japan is known for its famous Fuji Yama volcanoe, but has also many other snowy volcanoes (that look like arising from lakes) on which bowls and slopes an exceptional off-piste skiing awaits us. Dreams of powder skiing!!

After skiing or snowboarding we will enjoy jumping in the thermal natural hot water pools called Oneng, and appreciate the Japanese food and traditional sushis….

The must of this ski trip: :
_The best POWDER snow of our plane. Boarding or skiing often on shallow slopes, with generally 300 to 600 meters vertical drop skiing, & maybe the best powder of our planet!!
_It is a trip based on high quality, not on quantity of skiing : nowhere on the planet you will do more vertical drop skiing, more off-piste turns in a day than in the ALPS !!
_ the variety of runs and des spots : forests, volcanoes…
_ the Onengs, natural volcanic thermal pools (baths)
_ the high quality of meals and the kindness and professionalism of Japan and japonese people !

Hors-piste en station s’il neige tous les jours, sinon nous faisons 40% à 60% de ski de rando ou Freerando à partir des remontées mécaniques à Furano, Tomamu et NISEKO, Moiwa

The negative points =
The ski runs are often short in Japan, an average of 500 meters
vertical drop, except in some place like Asahi Dake ! The ski lifts are often short and old so, on the contrary of those of the Alps, we often need 3 lifts to go up 600 m -1000 meters vertical height; Despite the fact we start skiing early (most resorts open lifts at 8.30 in Hokkaido !) we have to reach the off-pistes runs and places through mandatory GATES….that close generally at 14.30 mostly, or 15.30.
Freedom in Japan means ski-touring, backcountry so we’ll do 40% minimum of it (EXCEPT if it snows everyday of course!), or more, so to as to find fresh snow and to ski until 5.00 pm
Remember: It is a trip based on high quality of powder snow and landscapes, not on quantity of skiing : nowhere on the planet you will do more vertical drop skiing, more off-piste turns in a day than in the ALPS !!