SPEND THE WEEK AT OUR FAVOURITE FREERIDE RESORT IN JAPAN
Take the trip of a lifetime and ride Japan’s Premium Pow on this all-inclusive guided week in Niseko. Experience riding waist-deep Japanese powder at Japan’s #1 ski destination. You’ve got a week exploring the four interlinked resorts – Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and An’nupuri. The highlight of the week is undoubtedly a hike to the peak of Niseko United’s iconic Mt. Annupuri. If it’s a clear day, you’ll score a once-in-a-lifetime selfie with the majestic volcano, Mt. Yotei, with the Sea of Japan as your backdrop.
Your guide for this tour is one of the most experienced and qualified professionals working in Hokkaido who has over 15 years experience guiding in Niseko as well as reading the conditions and terrain. The terrain you’ll ride ranges from big open bowls to undulating tree riding and you should always expect some of the deepest, lightest and driest powder in the world.
If it’s your first time to Japan or if you’ve visited many times before, we highly recommend Niseko for a couple of good reasons. Firstly, it is consistently our most snow-sure tour and secondly, you can ride a variety of Hokkaido’s best lift accessed, resort and backcountry zones, all in the one week. Need more untracked powder? You can add a backcountry Cat Ski day where you can spend a full day riding untracked powder with oceanfront views.
Dates
Select your dates
Guest to Guide Ratio
6 guests : 1 guide
Price
POA
Tour Type
Freeride - 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.
Niseko Progression Tour
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
DAILY GUIDING
Throughout the tour you’ve got a dedicated powder guide on-hand. Your guide will give you a locals perspective from day one – from the secret spots and stashes to the best onsen and ramen. We will chase the snow so you can ride the best resort each day. From our base in Niseko we can ride Hanazono, Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri,
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. This also makes for a more personal experience between our guests and guides. Our Niseko All Mountain Tour is a small group tour with a maximum of 6 guests.
ACCOMMODATION
Throughout the tour you'll stay in modern accommodation which will be customised for your groups requirments. All our accommdation options are located in a prime position right in the heart of Hirafu amongst all the restaurants, bars and shopping and only 600m from the ski slopes and typically offer amenities like a bar, cafe and restaurant, concierge services, boot dryers, equipment storage, coin-op laundry and Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
NISEKO
Niseko needs little introduction, with its colossal amounts of snowfall and legendary freeriding, the resort has something for everyone. The four ski resorts in Niseko are accessible with a single ‘All mountain’ pass giving you access to kilometres of groomed runs and in-bounds tree riding options. However, if you’re looking to get into the waist deep stuff and the conditions are right, there are plenty of backcountry options right across the mountain.
ESSENTIAL INFO
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
We will customise the tour to meet your requirements. Typically we would include the following:
- 6 nights accommodation
- Breakfast daily
- 5 day Niseko All-Mountain lift ticket
- 5 days of guiding with qualified guide
- Return airport transfers, New Chitose Airport to Hirafu Welcome Centre
- Return transfers from Hirafu Welcome Centre to Chatrium (arrival & departure day)
- Fully-escorted tour, guides on hand throughout the tour
Day trips to other resorts can also be arranged.
All our Japan Tours are 6 nights and run from Sunday to Saturday. Select the date you’d like to start and Mint will take care of the rest. 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 Niseko, then start a new tour in a different destination the following day. Ask us about tour combo ideas.
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 FREERIDE TOUR?
Our Freeride 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.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN I HAVE ON A PRIVATE TOUR
A private tour typically operates with 6 people. This ensures that your group can ski or snowboard at your preferred pace, and ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. 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 intermediate and above snowboarders who can link turns with rhythm and flow on and off-piste. If you’re not sure, give us a call. Weather and conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride anything.
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. Niseko United is made up of 4 ski resorts that 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?
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 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 be 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 guides.
HOW CAN 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 NISEKO?
We’ll provide you with a guide with details on how to get to our meeting point. 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.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
Yes, a 5 day Niseko All Mountain lift ticket is included.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
We can arrange rental equipment for most destinations, however we do recommend bringing your own equipment. We do recommend bringing powder boards for all our Japan tours.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
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.
PRICE PER PERSON
Get in touch for a quote for your private tour. We will customise the tour to your requirements
RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT
To secure your spot on tour, a 50% deposit is payable within 3 days of booking. 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
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.
3. EMAIL
Drop us an email and one of our Japan Tour Specialists will be in touch with a with a quote, availability and further details about your private tour.