AN AUTHENTIC JAPANESE DEEP POWDER EXPERIENCE
If you haven’t been to Myoko before what you need to know is this little onsen town scored an incredible 22+ meters of snowfall last winter. It’s one of those places where waist-deep means exactly that. Thanks to its location roughly 20 kilometres from the Sea of Japan, big snowfall is a regular occurrence during the months of January and February. Once you arrive and see the towering snowbanks surrounding the lodge, you’ll know that you’re in for a deep powder adventure.
This is an all-inclusive powder hunter tour with a flexible itinerary and a small group of 6 people. We will chase the snow so you can ride the best resort in the region each day. From our base in Myoko we have access to over 8 resorts in the region such as Lotte Arai, Madarao, Tangram, Seki Onsen, Togakushi, Myoko Suginohara, Akakura Onsen and Akakura Kanko. You’ve got a dedicated powder guide and private transport on-hand so you’ll be ahead of the punters and into the waist deep stuff. Your guide will give you a locals perspective from day one – from the secret spots and stashes to the best onsen and ramen.
You’ll stay at Mint’s private ski lodge and experience true Japanese hospitality (omotenashi). Your Japanese hosts will prepare home-cooked breakfasts and incredible dinners that are made with local produce. After a long day riding powder, relax back at the cosy lodge with an ice-cold draught beer, a great crew and if you’re lucky our Japanese hosts will play the Shamisen (traditional Japanese string instrument).
Myoko is easy to reach from Tokyo which makes the Myoko Powder Hunter Tour is a great option if you’re travelling solo or it’s your first time to Japan. Get on the Bullet Train in Tokyo and in just under 2 hours you will arrive at our local Shinkansen station. Once you arrive, we’ll take you to our lodge, check you in, and make sure you’re set up for the adventure ahead.
Dates
Register your interest for winter 2024
Guest to Guide Ratio
6 guests : 1 guide
Price
Register your interest for winter 2024
Tour Type
Freeride - off-piste, powder and trees
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.
Myoko Powder Hunter Tour
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
ABOUT MYOKO
This lively onsen town sits at the foot of the impressive Mt Myoko and thanks to its close proximity to the coast, it scored an incredible 22 meters of snowfall last winter season. It's one of those places where waist-deep means exactly that. Big snowfall is a regular occurrence during the months of January and February. While it's an area that is already on the radar for many skiers and riders, it’s remained relatively quiet. You can be sure that on a powder day the trees will stay untouched for long enough to tire you out.
ALL-INCLUSIVE TOUR
We've included nearly everything to make this a stress-free trip. You'll have exclusive use of a private traditional Japanese ski lodge, you've got your own private room for the trip (no sharing with snoring room mates), home-cooked breakfasts and dinners prepared with local produce, a dedicated powder guide to monitor the storms and find you the best snow daily, private transport on-hand to take you to the best resorts each day, all lift tickets for the trip and we'll pick you up and drop you off from the bullet train on arrival and departure day.
POWDER HUNTER
We’ll chase the snow and ride at different resorts each day. Our centrally located lodge in Myoko is the perfect base to not only explore the Myoko resorts - Suginohara, Akakura Onsen and Akakura Kanko, but also the lesser known ski areas – Lotte Arai, Seki Onsen, Kuriohime, Togakushi, Madarao, Tangram and a couple of our secret spots. Mint guides have years of experience skiing & snowboarding this region and will monitor storm cycles daily to ensure you’re scoring these zones in the best conditions.
PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION
For an authentic Japan experience, you'll stay at the our private Mint lodge in Myoko - a locally-owned traditional Japanese ski-lodge. You'll experience true Japanese hospitality (omotenashi) while staying here. Your Japanese hosts will prepare home-cooked breakfasts and incredible dinners that are made with local produce. After a long day riding powder, relax back at the cosy lodge with an ice-cold draught beer, a great crew and if you're lucky our Japanese hosts will play the Shamisen (traditional Japanese string instrument).
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 flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
SMALL GROUPS
We offer one of the smallest client to guide ratio’s in the industry which ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. Our small groups allow greater manoeuvrability and ease of access to the best areas a destination can offer. We take a maximum of 6 people on this tour. This also makes for a more personal experience between our guests and guides.
ESSENTIAL INFO
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
- 6 nights Single Share accommodation at a locally owned private ski lodge (private room)
- 5 days of on-snow guiding with a professional guide
- 5 day lift ticket
- 5 days of private transfers in 4WD vehicles to & from resorts
- Return arrival & departure day transfers from Joetsu-Myoko Station
- 6 breakfasts
- 6 dinners
- Cultural excursions – onsen, shrine etc.
- Fully-escorted tour, guides on hand throughout the tour
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 Myoko, then start a new tour in a different destination the following day. Ask us about tour combos.
DATES
Select your preferred dates from the departures below. Please note that we take a maximum of 6 people per week. Get in touch early to secure your preferred dates and avoid disappointment.
Register your interest for winter 2024
PRO-TIP – GO PRIVATE
Book this tour as a private departure – with your own guide and all the benefits of a Mint group tour – for any group, big or small (even just one traveller). 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 IS A POWDER HUNTER TOUR?
Our Powder Hunter Tours offer you the best chance to ride deep, Japan powder. Our experienced guides have an in-depth knowledge of the resorts we visit, which gives you the ultimate advantage when your chasing deep, un-tracked snow. We’ll aim to ride and ski a lot of powder, glades and trees so please be prepared to ride and ski in the trees for 5 days straight. Of course weather and conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything.
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. This is a great tour for people travelling solo as you will have your own private room for the entire trip. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowsports and an eagerness to explore all that Japan has to offer.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THIS TOUR?
Each tour is different, but we know that by offering one of the smallest client to guide ratio in the industry allows you to ski or snowboard at your preferred pace, and ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. We have a maximum of 6 people on this tour. This ensures you get the most out of your time with us, and keeping the groups small means less time waiting and more time riding powder.
IS THIS TOUR RIGHT FOR ME?
This tour is best suited to skiers and snowboarders who can link turns in powder snow, can make a variety of turn shapes and can traverse and hold speed. If you’re not sure, give us a call. Weather and ski conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything. Myoko terrain has lots of glades and trees – please be prepared to ride and ski in the trees.
WHICH RESORTS WILL WE VISIT?
We keep the tour itinerary flexible so you can ride at the best resort on the day. Each day your guide will make the decision on which resort to ride based on a number of factors including weather, snowfall, group ability and interest. Incredibly, the Myoko region has dozens of ski resorts we can access within easy reach of our centrally located hotel with terrain ranging from wide-open pistes, perfectly crafted terrain parks to deep untracked tree riding and skiing.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
Yes, 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. Most of our guides work for us season after season. If you have a preferred Mint guide, just let us know and we’ll be able to tell you which tours they are leading.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included. If you need assistance booking flights, we can book you the best flight options for the tour, with no booking fees.
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. Prior to the tour commencing we will invite you to a group chat which is managed by your tour manager and guides.
CAN I BRING MY PARTNER WHO DOESN’T SKI OR SNOWBOARD?
Of course! We can tailor the tour to suit your non-skiing or snowboarding partner. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
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 MYOKO?
We’ll provide you with a guide with options to get to Myoko. 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.
DO YOU TAKE SKIERS & SNOWBOARDERS?
Yes. We are ski and snowboard friendly. Please note that the majority of our tours are led by snowboard guides.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
Yes. We can arrange rental equipment for most destinations, however we do recommend bringing your own equipment. We do recommend bringing powder boards or ski’s for all our Japan tours.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
Myoko can be a cold place in winter, with temperatures typically ranging from 0 to -12. 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 ski or snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear). Powder boards and ski’s 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 snowsports and an eagerness to explore all that Japan has to offer.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
Yes, we include lift tickets for every day riding on this tour.
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.
If you would like some more information or a quote for the tour you can contact us by:
1. ONLINE
Enquire below. 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.
2. OVER THE PHONE
Call us and follow the prompts to speak to one of our Japan Tour specialists.
Within Australia (03) 5296 0314