THE ORIGINAL JAPAN SNOWBOARD CAMP HOSTED BY HEIKKI SORSA & ANTTI JUSSILA
Japan Project is based at Rusutsu. One of the snowiest major resorts on the planet. It’s Japow on steroids. So you can spend your week deep in the whiteroom, you’ve got two snowboard guides 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 hosts for the tour are snowboard legends – Heikki Sorsa and Antti Jussila.
Heikki and Antti will take you behind the scenes and show you what it’s like to ride and film in Hokkaido’s snowiest region. They have been coming to Hokkaido to ride pow and shoot video parts for years which makes them the perfect hosts for the week here in Rusutsu. Plus the guys are always more than happy to provide you with some tips and feedback on the mountain, and share a beer and some laughs at the end of the day.
At Mint Tours we believe premium is the new normal, so we’ve included everything on this trip so you can focus on just one thing – Riding Pow. Apart from riding every day with Heikki and Antti, you’ll get to stay in ski-in/ski-out luxury accommodation with breakfasts, dinners, lift tickets and airport transfers included plus our local guide is on hand to show you the spots and our media team is on-hand to capture all the action from the week.
Dates
Register your interest for winter 2024
Duration
6 nights & 5 days on-mountain
Price
Register your interest for winter 2024
Tour Type
Suitable for intermediate and above snowboarders
Why Travel With Mint
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conduct 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 are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
ESSENTIAL INFO
ABOUT RUSUTSU
Rusutsu Resort has some of the most incredible powder and tree riding to be found anywhere in the world. Scoring an average of 20 metres of light, dry Hokkaido powder snow each season - freshies are easily found, even late into the afternoon. One of the highlights are the fall line tree runs that are accessed straight off the lifts. The resort is spread across three mountain peaks so there are countless opportunities to pick your line.
ON-MOUNTAIN ACCOMMODATION
Throughout the tour you’ll stay on-mountain at the Rusutsu Resort Hotel. You've got ski-in, ski-out access to the region’s best powder. Our twin rooms have everything you'd expect from a 4 star hotel. Each room has amazing views to the surrounding snowy landscape. The hotel has restaurants, hotel bar, convenience store, onsen, sauna, wave pool, rental shop, snowboard stores and day spa.
EASY AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Rusutsu 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. Fly into Sapporo, board the bus to Rusutsu and in just under 2 hours you will arrive. Our guides will be on-hand to meet you and check you to our hotel and get you set up for the adventure ahead.
AFTER HOURS
After riding, join us in the bar where you can catch up with the Heikki and Antti along with other guests. Each night we’ve included buffet dinners where you can load up on all the Japanese and Western food you can handle and wash it down with a few ice-cold Asahi’s. Sound like the perfect snowboard camp? Then grab your buddies or come solo, just make sure you don’t miss out!
VIDEO PACKAGE
Throughout the tour we have our media team on hand to capture all the action. We’ll make sure you go home with your iconic Japan powder edit, plus all the highlights from the week, on and off-mountain.
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.
Additional Details
Your tour includes:
- 6 nights accommodation in a twin share room at Rusutsu Resort Hotel
- Daily guiding sessions with Heikki Sorsa, Antti Jussila and Mint Tours guide
- 5 day Rusutsu lift ticket
- Videographer on hand to capture all the action.
- 6 buffet breakfasts
- 6 buffet dinners
- Airport transfers from Sapporo New Chitose Airport to/from Rusutsu
All our Japan Tours are 6 nights and run from Sunday to Saturday. You’ll ride every resort mid-week to maximise your time on-snow and avoid the weekend day-trippers. If 6 nights isn’t enough, then book one of our multi-tour combo’s. Join us in Rusutsu, then start a new tour in a different destination the following day. Ask us about tour combo ideas.
DATES
Register your interest for winter 2024
PRO-TIP – GO PRIVATE!
If you have your own group of snowboarding friends, pick your own dates and book a private departure – with your own coach and all the benefits of a Mint group tour. Get in touch to discuss.
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 is a registered 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 take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details 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.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
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 snowsports and an eagerness to explore all that Japan has to offer. If you are travelling solo, you will be paired with another guest to room with. The accommodation for this tour is twin share i.e. 2 beds per room.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THIS TOUR?
We take a maximum of 12 guests on this tour.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
For most tours you can arrive earlier or stay later. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they can assist.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
Your guides for this tour are Heikki Sorsa and Antti Jussila.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included. If you need assistance booking flights, we can recommend the best flight options for the trip.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. All guests on tour need to be covered by comprehensive travel insurance. Once you have booked on the tour, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We offer all of our tour guests discounted snow specific travel insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide 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. We will send out 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 specialists. 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 RUSUTSU?
We’ll provide you with a guide with options to get to Rusutsu. 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?
We can arrange rental equipment for most destinations, however we do recommend bringing your own equipment.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
We will send out a packing list for this tour. Japan can be a cold place in winter, with temperatures typically ranging from 0 to -20. We strongly recommend that guests dress in clothing specific for traveling in backcountry areas. We recommend that guests have a good quality waterproof jacket and pants, lightweight insulated layer, merino base layers, merino gloves and waterproof gloves, goggles with low light & high light lenses, sunglasses, balaclava, beanie, and helmet. We recommend that all guests bring their own snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear). Powder boards are recommended.
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.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
Yes, lift tickets are included for this tour. All guests will receive a 5 day lift consecutive lift ticket for Rusutsu Resort.
PRICE PER PERSON
Register your interest for winter 2024
RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT
To secure your spot on tour, a 50% deposit is payable. The balance is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
Click on ‘Enquire’ below and send us your details. Once we receive your request one of our Japan Tour Specialists will be in touch with a with a quote, availability and further details about the tour.