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Calling all powder enthusiasts! Here’s your chance to get your riding dialled at Japans snowiest resort, while staying in 5-star luxury. This is an all-inclusive powder and progression adventure to the snowiest major resort on the planet; Kiroro. It’s Japow on steroids. This coastal resort receives copious amounts of snow with clockwork consistency. Kiroro receives more snowfall in a month, than most resorts receive in a full season.
So you can spend your week deep in the white-room, you’ve got some of the most experienced guides in the industry on-hand who know a thing or two about hunting down the best lines, finding the best snow, and making sure you have a good time while doing it. In fact, you could call them professionals. Your guides for the week are Juliane Bray, Rachel Newton and Fiona Duncan. These hard-charging ladies have competed and coached at the highest level and have just one goal for the week – to find you the best POWDER! Their passion for the mountains, and their commitment to supporting and growing the women’s snowboarding community make them the perfect hosts. They are always more than happy to provide you with some tips and feedback on the mountain, and share a drink and some laughs at the end of the day.
Our Base – Kiroro Resort
If you’re going to make the trip to Japan, then you might as well ride at the best resort, and Kiroro is synonymous with the having the best powder on earth. Snow here is bountiful, abundant, plentiful, there aren’t enough words to describe the amount. It’s snow-sure reputation has something to do with its prime location, on a coastal corner not far from the Sea of Japan. Throughout winter, fierce Siberian storms push over the ocean and drop pure white goodness on this coastal treasure.
If you’re the kind of gal who like the facts, you’ll be pleased to know that Kiroro tops the Japan powder tally, season after season. It even beats its high-profile neighbours, Niseko and Rusutsu in the powder stakes. It’s officially the snowiest resort in Japan. And you’re in for a treat, because we’ve timed our tour to run during peak powder season, so powder turns are virtually guaranteed.
And the terrain won’t disappoint either. Kiroro has something for everyone whether it’s your first time in powder, or you’re a seasoned campaigner. There are easy groomers, plenty of moderately pitched powder lines, wide-open powder meadows that are left un-groomed, and designated side country and tree riding areas that are patrolled. These areas are perfect to get your lift accessed powder fill, within minimum effort. Our team of professional coaches will show you where to find the best lines and the best terrain that is suited to your ability.
Luxury 5 Star Accommodation
Throughout the tour you’ll stay on-mountain at the Marriot, The Kiroro, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. This is a 5 star, luxury hotel with direct access to the region’s best powder. You’ll stay in a mountain-side Superior Room with views across the snow covered landscape that will have you feeling zen in no time. Each room has a great heating, private ensuite bathroom, TV, and free WiFi. The hotel also has a hot spring, indoor and outdoor pool, fitness centre and shops. Buffet breakfast and dinners are included and are thoughtfully prepared with the freshest locally sourced ingredients.
Daily Snowboard Coaching
If you’re ready to get your riding dialled, then you couldn’t be in better company. Our coaches are on-hand every day and have just one focus – You! They’ve got your back, whether you’re new to powder, or you want to take your freeriding to the next level. Our coaches have years of experience helping women reach their goals. From beginners through to Olympic athletes, they have coached snowboarders at every level. We typically keep our group size to 5 ladies per coach so we can fast-track your progression. Each day we will ride to the conditions, and change the plan and pace to suit. Our coaching sessions run each morning, followed by afternoon freeride sessions. This allows you to focus on the technical side of snowboarding in the mornings, then put it into practice each afternoon.
Videographer On-hand
So you can go home with some powder highlights from the trip, we’ll have our professional videographer joining us for some sessions throughout the week.
Get to Know Our Coaches
Throughout the week you will be hosted by our qualified coaches and guides including:
Rachel Newton We’re lucky enough to have one of the world’s most qualified female coaches as part of our team. Originally hailing from the small town of National Park, New Zealand, Rachel rose through the professional snowboarding ranks, and eventually became a high-performance coach for regional and national snowboard teams. Whether it’s your first time snowboarding or you’re a professional athlete, Rachel’s direct and considered approach will fast-track your progression. Her passion for snowboarding is infectious. Just take a lap with Rachel through the park, on piste or in the trees and you’ll be smiling ear-to-ear. Her energy, enthusiasm and expert advice will take your snowboarding to the next level and then some. She’ll arm you with all the technical skills and confidence required to be the best snowboarder you can be. Plus she’s got some great yarns to tell over the course of the week. There’s never a dull moment! Rachel now calls Canada home and is based in Rossland, BC, with her very awesome snowboarding family.
Juliane Bray Juliane has been a pioneer for women’s snowboarding. From her early days as a professional snowboarder, she rose through the ranks to compete at the highest level. There aren’t many athletes that can claim they have had their own pro model snowboard, but Juliane has! Juliane’s long career has seen her with multiple wins at the Burton Open, she’s competed at the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics and was the first New Zealand athlete to win a Snowboard World Cup. She brings her years of experience and knowledge from the competitive circuit to her role as a high-performance coach. Juliane is a pro at helping riders who have plateaued. She’ll have you trying new tricks and breaking through barriers you never thought possible. She’ll get you covering more ground and trying new things in no time. When Juliane isn’t our rock-star coach in Japan, you can find her in Wanaka, New Zealand, coaching the high performance squads at Cardrona Resort.
Fiona Duncan Fiona has been instrumental in building the the womens program at Mint Tours. She has worked both behind the scenes and on-the-snow in every role possible to help grow our women’s snowboarding community. She’s a natural leader, and a passionate communicator, so it’s no surprise her career as a professional snowboarder led her to become a high-performance snowboard coach and guide in New Zealand, Europe and the United States. Her personal mission is to encourage women to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle and have the best time possible while doing it. When Fiona isn’t on-snow, you can either find her at the beach or in her pilates studio; she’ll be sharing her passion for surfing with the next generation of female surfers, or teaching the local community the benefits of pilates and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Join Our Community
Once you’re booked on, we’ll invite you to join our group chat so you can get to know the other women on tour. If you’re travelling solo it’s a great way to meet the others and sync up your travel plans.
Is this tour for you?
Whether you’re looking to progress your snowboarding, or just want to ride in Japan with like-minded women, we’ve got you covered. Each day you will ride with similar level snowboarders.
Easy Airport Transfers
Kiroro is so easy to get to. It’s a stress-free trip, especially if you’re travelling solo or it’s your first time to Japan. Once your flight arrives in Sapporo, grab your bags and get on the bus. It’s a scenic door-to-door trip from the airport straight to our hotel. Grab a window seat and in just under 2 hours you will arrive at our powder paradise. Our guides will be on-hand to greet you and help you settle in.
Small Groups
During our coaching sessions we typically keep our group size to a maximum of 5 people for a more personal experience between our guests and guides. This ensures you get the most out of your time with us.
Snow & Conditions
This tour is running at the peak of Kiroro’s snow season. At this time of year, Kiroro sees consistent storms that bring massive quantities of light, dry powder snow. Much of the resorts is north facing which keeps the snow in pristine condition.