SIGN UP FOR THE BOARDSLIDE WORLDWIDE JAPAN TOUR
Boardslide Worldwide presents a guided powder quest through the mountains of Japan, fueled by onigiri and replenished by onsen. Join Austen Sweetin Griffin Siebert, Matteo Soltane and Sean Lucey for a week of riding the finest powder that the main island has to offer.
The location for this trip is Northern Tohoku. It’s THE place on the main island where you’ll find ‘Hokkaido-like’ dry powder and zero crowds. It’s categorised as a ‘Deep Snowfall Region’ that’s home to over 15 ski areas that range from quirky, old-school ski hills to larger resorts and there’s even an active volcano that bares a resemblance to Mt Fuji.
Throughout the week you’ll be road-tripping these little-known, stash-laden resorts with the Boardslide Worldwide crew. You’ll have Mint’s head Japanese guide, Kei Ishiuchi and local legend Yutaka providing insider knowledge. They will monitor weather and snowfall to make sure that you’re in the right place at the right time, to score the best snow.
This tour is limited to just 10 riders. Sign up early, this tour will sell out.
Dates
19 - 25 January, 2025
DURATION
6 nights / 5 days on-snow
PRICE
USD 3,550 twin room
ABILITY LEVEL
Advanced - You ride at a fast pace and have extensive snowboarding experience.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT
It’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. Mint Tours is a registered travel agent and a member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
TRIP INFO
Get in touch for all the trip details.
SNOW & CONDITIONS
The long-range winter forecast from the Japan Meteorological Agency indicates that winter 2025 will have above average snowfall. Now we know what an average snowfall year looks like in Japan, so when they are calling for above average, you know it's going to get deep. January is the ideal time of year to ride in Iwate. What you can expect is light and dry snow, perfect for riding powder. Temps will be cold, with temperatures ranging from 23 to 5°F. Iwate is one of the most consistent regions for snowfall in Japan so you never need to worry about lack of snow.
STAY ON-MOUNTAIN AT APPI RESORT
Throughout the trip you'll stay on-mountain at Appi Resort, steps away from the slopes. This place was developed in the early 1980s and is a quintessential Japanese bubble era ski resort. The hotel is packed with plenty of facilities including indoor and outdoor onsen and enough dining options to give you some variety for a week-long stay. You'll either ride at Appi Resort, or drive to the other local ski hills. Where you'll ride largely depends on the snowfall and conditions as well as the groups appetite for adventure.
FLEXIBLE ITINERARY
This is a powder hunter tour where you’ll get to chase the big winter storms in Japan. We keep the itinerary flexible so your guide can hunt down the best conditions all day, every day. Each day your guide will assess the conditions and decide which is the best place to ride based on weather and snowfall. This flexibility ensures that we will find you the best snow and conditions all day, every day.
PRE-TOUR SUPPORT
After you sign up for a tour, you will receive pre-trip emails with specific information about your tour, the arrival and departure day process, information about the destination, packing suggestions, and other relevant information to help you prepare for your trip. In addition to this, you have access to our customer care team who are just a phone-call away. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
ONSEN & CULTURE
The plan for each day differs due to a number of factors, but we'll always make time for an onsen visit or two throughout the trip. There's no better way to recover than to soak in the mineral rich, geothermal waters. You'll have local Japanese guides on-hand to show you the sights in the region.
HOW TO GET HERE
The meeting point for this tour is Morioka city which is the capital city of Iwate prefecture. Your guides will meet you at Morioka Station on arrival day. It's an easy destination to reach from Tokyo as it's around two hours from central Tokyo on the Shinkansen bullet train.
ESSENTIAL INFO
INCLUSIONS
✔ Hosted by the Boardslide Worldwide crew – Austen Sweetin, Griffin Siebert, Matteo Soltane & Sean Lucey
✔ 5 days of guiding at Appi and surrounding resorts
✔ 6 nights accommodation at Appi Resort, twin room with ensuite (2 people per room)
✔ 5 day lift ticket
✔ Private transport in 4WD vehicles to/from resorts
✔ 6 breakfasts at the hotel
✔ 6 dinners at the hotel
✔ Complimentary use of hotel onsen
✔ Scheduled transfers from Morioka Station to hotel (arrival and departure day)
✔ Fully-escorted tour, guide on hand throughout the tour
✔ Pre tour support from Japan Tour Manager
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
✘ Flights to Japan
✘ Train to/from Morioka Station
✘ Travel insurance
✘ All lunches – expect to pay USD $6 – $15 per meal
✘ Onsen entry fee outside the hotel – expect to pay between USD $3 – $7 per visit
✘ Any meals, drinks, snacks not listed
✘ Guide gratuities
DATES & PRICE
All of Mint’s Japan Tours are 7 days and 6 nights and run from Sunday to Saturday. You’ll ride every resort during the week (Monday – Friday) to avoid the weekend day-trippers and maximise your time on-snow. If 6 nights isn’t enough, then book a multi-tour combo. Join the Boardslide Worldwide Tour, then start a new Mint tour in a different destination the following day.
Arrive 19 January, 2025
Depart 25 January, 2025
Price USD $3,550 twin room
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL DAY
Welcome to Japan. Make your way to the meeting point at Morioka Station where your guides will meet you, load the bus and drive to the hotel. After check in, you’ve got some free time to settle in to your room, unpack and set-up your equipment for the adventure ahead. In the evening, meet Austen, Lucey and the Mint guides for an info and welcome session. Your guides will explain what’s in store for the week, the current weather, run through equipment and answer any questions you have. Then join your guides for dinner at the hotel. It’s a great opportunity to get to know everyone on tour as most guests are travelling solo.
DAY 2 – 6 – ON SNOW
You’ll spend the next 5 days riding at Appi and the surrounding ski hills with the Boardslide Worldwide crew and Mint’s local guides leading the way. The tour itinerary is flexible and your guide will monitor the storm cycles to ensure you’re scoring the best conditions as weather and snowfall affect each resort differently. You’ve got Appi Resort just steps from the hotel, then there’s plenty of the smaller ski hills to choose from. Driving times can vary from 15 – 60 minutes and largely depends on weather, snowfall and the groups appetite for adventure. Each day will follow a similar format:
Mornings – The breakfast buffet is open early and you can enjoy breakfast at your leisure. Your guides will advise the meeting time the evening before.
Throughout the day – Once at the resort the aim is to spend a full day on-mountain riding with your local guides and the Boardslide Worldwide crew.
Afternoons – After riding, your guides will make plans according to time, the groups interest and energy levels. You could find yourself heading to a local onsen (hot springs), stopping off at a sushi train, a quick visit to the 7-Eleven or another local cultural site before returning to the hotel.
Evenings – On return to the hotel, you’ve got free time. Head to the hotel onsen to relax, grab a drink with the crew or lap the resort under lights until 8pm. Each night you’ll enjoy dinner with the crew to share a few stories about the days’ turns.
DAY 7 – DEPARTURE DAY
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check out. All good things must come to come to an end, and after a big week we’ll arrange your transfers back to Morioka Station and say goodbye.
This tour is suitable for Advanced snowboarders. You ride at a fast pace and have extensive snowboarding experience. You’re comfortable in any condition – from deep pow to hard pack or in low visibility. You can maintain a continuous and fast pace, through trees, traverses and flat sections. On this tour you will ride for 5 consecutive and full days.
If you’re not quite up to the ability level for this tour, don’t dismiss the possibility of experiencing the best powder turns of your life! Talk with the Mint team and they will be able to make recommendations for other suitable tours, or how to work towards joining this tour.
When you are ready to book, you’ll be asked to self-evaluate what type of rider you are. The more accurately you’re able to self-assess your on-snow abilities, the more you (and others in your group) will be able to enjoy the tour.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint Tours is a member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we can assist with pre-or post tour arrangements.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
Yes, all lift tickets are included for this tour. Please note that none of the resorts are on the Ikon or Epic Pass.
BUDGETING FOR THE TOUR
An estimate of spending money for the week is around USD $200 to cover lunches, drinks, snacks and onsen. Here’s an indication of what you can expect to pay for meals and activities:
- Lunches – expect to pay USD $10 – $15 per meal
- Onsen entry fee (for onsen outside the hotel) – expect to pay between USD $3 – $7 per visit
- Sushi train visit – expect to pay USD $10 – $20
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK?
It’s hard to estimate when the tour will fill up. That being said, the Mint’s Japan tours do fill up quickly, so it’s best to book as soon as you’ve made the decision to travel. That way you can secure your preferred travel dates and you won’t be disappointed. Bookings close 90 days before a trip departs, however most tours typically fill up well before this.
WHAT IS THE TERRAIN LIKE?
There’s a range of terrain to access from alpine, playful or challenging tree runs, some with features such as pillows and drops. Expect deep snow, soft landings and lots of fun features. Generally speaking, Japan doesn’t have steep terrain, but be prepared for deep snow. The tree riding zones are mostly lift-accessed, however there are times when a short boot pack is necessary (typically 10 – 15 minutes). Snowshoes/split boards are not required.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Arrival and departure days are off-snow. Once you’ve signed up for the tour you will receive a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, instructions on flights, where to meet, gear list, recommended arrival and departure times, visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
The accommodation for this tour is Twin Share which means each room has 2 single beds and there are 2 people per room. Solo travellers will be matched with someone to share with for the tour. About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowboarding and an eagerness to explore all that Japan has to offer.
HOW MANY PEOPLE IN MY GROUP?
There is a maximum of 10 people on this tour and you will be accompanied by 2 guides, plus the Boardslide Worldwide crew.
WHICH RESORTS WILL WE VISIT?
This tour has a flexible itinerary so you can ride at the best resort on the day. Your local Mint guides will make the decision on which resort to ride based on a number of factors including weather, snowfall and interest. Throughout the tour you will stay on-mountain at Appi Resort and then there’s the secret spots that you’ll visit throughout the week.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
Yes, pre or post tour accommodation can be arranged. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
All of our tours are guided by friendly, knowledgeable and expertly trained guides who are passionate about the mountains. The guides are Kei Ishiuchi and Yutaka.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included, but Mint can provide you with a list of the best flights to book to match up with your tour and arrival or departure times.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. All guests need to be covered by comprehensive travel insurance. Once you have booked on the tour, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot you will receive updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, visa requirements and transportation information. You will receive a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure.
HOW DO I CHECK MY ABILITY LEVEL?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour managers. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
HOW DO I GET TO THE MEETING POINT?
Once you’ve booked, you’ll be provided with a guide which contains all the info on how to get to the meeting point by train. If it’s your fist time to Japan or if you’re unsure about travel arrangements, often we can link you up with other tour guests to travel with.
HOW DO I CHECK AVAILABILITY?
Speak with one of our tour specialists. As this is a small group tour with limited availability, it’s best to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
Please bring everything you need with you.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
Northern Tohoku can be a very cold place in winter. It’s recommended that guests dress in layers of clothing specific for traveling in backcountry areas and have a good quality waterproof jacket and pants, insulated layer(s), merino base layers, merino gloves and waterproof gloves, goggles with low light and high light lenses, sunglasses, balaclava, beanie, and helmet. Guests will need to bring their own snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear).
WHO WILL BE ON MY TOUR?
Your group will be made up of travellers from diverse backgrounds and will be varied in age. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowboarding and an eagerness to explore all that Japan has to offer.
GRATUITIES
The Mint team is committed to ensuring that you enjoy the trip of a lifetime. While gratuities are not included in your tour cost – nor are they mandatory – they are gratefully accepted. Gratuities are divided among the guides and team who will take care of you throughout your tour.
HOW TO BOOK
To reserve your spot, email info@minttours.com and one of our travel managers will send you a quote, availability and further information for the tour.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
A 50% deposit is payable to secure your booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
View our terms and conditions HERE